The strategic packet of crisps

I'm not using the trains as much as I used to. It is a very different experience. The carriage is nearly empty and everyone (well almost everyone) wears face masks. On hot days this is unpleasant - but I've made my own masks and they are as comfortable as I can get them to be.

I sit in a nearly empty carriage - with my

mask on and my laptop out, working and occasionally glancing out the window.

A man at the end of the carriage pulls out a packet of crisps. Pulls off his mask and reaches for the first crisp. By Doncaster he has munched his way through three crisps, mask still off, by York as I leave the train he has consumed five - he rustles the bag and places a crisp in his mouth as the guard passes him. I see his mask less face staring out the window as the train pulls out of the station.

Here is the advice:

Can I remove my face covering to eat or drink?

Yes. If a passenger needs to temporarily remove a face covering whilst eating, drinking or taking medication whilst maintaining social distancing, then this should be permitted with an expectation that they replace it to continue their journey. We kindly ask passengers to keep the removal of face coverings, when it comes to eating, drinking or taking medication, to a minimum especially on short journeys.

Well - I guess he thought the strategic packet of crisps exempted him - a bit disingenuous methinks. Strategic mars bar anyone?