A mother traveling from London to Paris found herself in a seat dispute when a tour group occupied her pre-booked spots. Traveling with her five and nine-year-old children, she boarded the train only to discover three individuals from a large American tour group in her family's assigned seats. The group claimed someone else had taken their original seats but couldn't specify which ones.

Unwilling to separate from her young children for the two-hour journey, the mother stood firm, refusing to relinquish their reserved places. This led to a confrontation, with the tour group members eventually moving but not without expressing their displeasure with a "stink eye" as they disembarked.

The mother's online recounting of the incident on Reddit's "Am I the AITA?" forum sparked a lively discussion, with over 2,400 reactions and 400 comments. The overwhelming consensus supported her actions, emphasizing that reserved seats should be honored, regardless of circumstances. Many commenters pointed out the entitlement of the tour group and praised the mother for advocating for herself and her family.

Dr. Jayme Albin, a New York-based clinical psychologist, weighed in on the situation, stating that it's reasonable to expect the services one pays for. She highlighted that the mother shouldn't have to compensate for the train's organizational shortcomings and that the tour group should have sought assistance in locating their correct seats. Dr. Albin added that being treated unfairly doesn't justify rudeness towards others.

Many Reddit users echoed Dr. Albin's sentiment, with one popular comment stating that the mother was within her rights to insist on using her purchased seats. Another commenter questioned why the tour group's nationality was even mentioned, emphasizing that their behavior was simply entitled. Some commenters criticized the tour group's behavior as reflecting poorly on Americans, while others simply reiterated that assigned seats are non-negotiable.

The incident highlights the importance of clear communication and respect for reserved seating in travel situations. It also underscores the challenges families face when navigating public transportation.