The class system is still alive and well

On my way south from Glasgow, the train stopped in Sheffield with the announcement that everyone had to alight as there had been a person hit by a train at Chesterfield station further down the line. The entire platform was crowded with people who had no idea where to go and train staff who were also in the dark about what to do. I approached a couple I had chatted to on the train and he went off to “information” while she watched the luggage. Within five minutes he returned to announce we were all to go to platform 3A and catch a train going to Darby and then change there. On the way to the platform, I spied a line snaking out of the women’s loo so shouted in that anyone headed further south should get to 3A. Many women shuffled out of the line and headed to the train. It was here that things got interesting. 

I mounted the steps with a “is there enough room for two more behind me?”  Everyone squished up up a bit. I looked behind and as well as the two in the car there were at least another 7 still on the platform needing to get on. From my limited (by my short stature) view, I could see that the aisle within the car was empty so raised my voice to ask the persons closest to the door to please press the button and let us through. The response was “but it’s the first class section”. I said, it really didn’t matter and would they please open the door for themselves and the 20 or so others who needed to get on the train. The young chap that I could easily see just stood there like a deer caught in the headlights. Finally, one of the train staff yelled into our door to please move into the aisle of the car. I was stunned that it took an authorized person to enable this young man at the door to push the button. 

The class system is still paralyzingly to some.