Laptops and mobile phones only

Monday, June 22, 2009 7:20 | Filed in Oddities

plug socket on train with label that reads 'laptops and mobile phones only'

Now when I’m on the train, I don’t tend to take various sorts of electrical equipment with me. I might have a laptop, I might have a mobile phone. I might have the relevant power cables and/or chargers. If I’m on a train, and they provide a plug socket, I might plug the things in and use them.

But why is it really necessary to have a sign saying “Laptops and mobile phones only”?

This rather begs the question: what the blinking flip have other people been plugging into the trains that aren’t mobile phones or laptops and cause some sort of problem?

Do people get on the train on the way home from shopping for electrical appliances, and think “ooh, I’m a bit peckish, I’ll get this toaster out of its box and start cooking on the way home”? Have people who have been sat uncomfortably been plugging in their new iron and removing the creases from their shirts? Have they encountered people who, once they have plugged it in, start wandering around trying to work out how they can get their new washing machine plumbed into the train?

What on earth has happened to have made this commandment necessary?

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5 Comments to Laptops and mobile phones only

  1. Mike says:

    June 22nd, 2009 at 7:34 am

    I can guarantee you that I know at least one person who’d plug their hair straighteners in there without a second thought.

    Oh, and that AC powered “Joni’s Butterfly”…

    As for me, I’ve sure my electric shaver would go in there just dandy.

  2. Gary Miller says:

    June 22nd, 2009 at 9:17 am

    Perfect for using the beard trimmer on the way to an important interview. Plus, I can’t stand the muck that doubles as coffee on trains, so I always have my coffee maker with me at all times…

  3. Steve Pugh says:

    June 22nd, 2009 at 9:51 am

    Maybe the sign is aimed at the cleaners – to tell them not to plug the hoover in there?

  4. mark says:

    June 22nd, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    dialysis machine?

  5. Christophe Strobbe says:

    June 23rd, 2009 at 6:25 pm

    Of course, travelers who love recursion would plug in an electric train set.

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