Travelling first
class on the old train is a privilege I have only enjoyed once or twice in my
twenty one years. Generally it's just business men isn't it (a stereotype very
well supported by my fellow passengers, who both happen to be businessmen).
As a student, I am the one you'll see crouching on the floor for 3 hours
because booking ahead was just too much of a faff. Especially during the
never-ending hangover that is university. Not today though. No no. On this
magnificent day, fate has chucked me into the first class carriage and I am
grinning like a fool. Being the
always-thinking-about-other-people sort of girl that I am, I'm going to help you
with a very pressing life decision… is it worth the extra dough for a slightly
more luxurious travel experience?
First, however, the
story of how I ended up in the crème de la crème of train carriages. So I'm
boarding the train at London Euston, and I see that my reserved seat is in
coach K. And I think … how odd that coach K has the words FIRST CLASS
emblazoned across it in really big letters. Anyway I hop on, find my seat and
check that I had in fact paid for an experience in mere economy (which I had,
for all you cynics out there). I endured a frantic period of imagining the
conductor dragging me out of first class by the ear and chucking me into a
crowd of jeering commuters. However, said conductor came and went without
attacking me, and now I am feeling relaxed and pretty bloody chuffed to be
quite honest.
The perks are
already on their way! I spy tea and coffee. Anyway, onto the ruthless analysis
…
Pros of first class train travel
- You are guaranteed to have a seat with slightly more cushioning, and it will be stain-free.
- Every seat is a table seat! I am such a sucker for a table seat so first class is like my heaven. Never again will I have to supress the volatile pangs of table seat envy! Genius.
- There is a little mug, glass and plate set out on your table. None of which are plastic. Dreamy.
- The sugar sachets are left unattended, so you can pocket as many as you want.
- Aforementioned complimentary tea and coffee.
- Okay, so now they've stepped things up a notch and brought out a food trolley. They've got everything on there - cake, fruit, sandwiches, crisps … and not the rubbish ones either. This little old man next to me has bagged some Tyrells! Well done lad. He's sucking on them, bless him. Must have dentures.
- OH MY GOD AND NOW THEY'VE COME AROUND WITH A WINE TROLLEY. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. They really know how to win a girl over don't they.
- The wine man just complimented me on my perfume.
- And my hair.
- They aren't being quick enough with my wine refills.
Well after two and a half hours of free wine, I'm inclined to say that first class is definitely worth it. My approach has been to eat and drink my own body weight in order to save money. Therefore first class is both enjoyable and economically thrifty.
Lots of love from your economic minder and social goddess, Scarlett x
 |
| Taking first class travel in my stride |
No comments:
Post a Comment