I know what I think the etiquette on public transport should be. That is:
- Sit on the seat nearest the window if it’s vacant.
- Put your bag on your lap or underneath the seat.
- If the bus or tram is full move down the back so people getting on the front have somewhere to stand.
- Don’t talk too loudly on your mobile phone.
But of course humans being what they are don’t follow these simple rules. They:
- Sit on the seat near the aisle leaving the window one vacant.
- Put their bag on the vacant seat next to them.
- They stand up the front so it’s hard to get past them if the transport is full.
- Speak too loudly on their mobile phones.
Oh, and I thought that high school students were supposed to stand for adults? No, it’s clearly not so any more.
I’m not afraid to ask someone to move their bag so I can sit down and so far everyone has obliged. I don’t know what I will do if someone tells me no one day. On the bus I catch there is space at the front of the bus for wheelchairs on both sides of the bus. The three seats fold up and face into the centre of the bus. This morning a young woman was taking up two of these seats and her shopping trolley was taking up the other seat. A man sitting opposite her was sprawled over the three seats leaving it impossible for anyone to sit near him without asking him.
As for people speaking to loudly on their mobile phones, it doesn’t bother me so much as it provides inane welcome distraction from work or whatever’s happening at home. I think people are under the illusion that a cone of silence surrounds them when on their phones because some people say some very private things. For example one young man was talking about his medication one bus trip and I think his medication was methadone.
I’m pretty lucky as my trip to and from work is not very long once I’m actually on the bus so if I’m perched on the edge of a seat, or if I have to stand, it’s not for very long. I also don’t have to worry about negotiating peoples’ poor driving and paying lots of money for parking.
How about you. Do you catch public transport often?
helen says
Whenever I go to the city, I catch a bus. The experience is usually good. There are occasions when I’d rather not hear someone’s phone conversation and a some people don’t sit at the window. I’m fortunate that the bus is rarely full when I catch it – but when I’m in a full bus there is a tendency for standing people to populate the front. My pet peeve when catching buses is when people who get on the line for those who have a ticket and they need to buy one thus blocking the way.
Jayne says
I’m always on public transport here in Melb.
Crowded, smelly, dirty, late/cancelled trains, peak hour commuter numbers have extended to almost throughout the whole day as the train system hasn’t kept up.
But forward planning can sometimes reap a good trip 😉
Joy says
No Jen, I don’t have to contend with public transportation in any way really; but I know that etiquette ‘in general’ has definitely deteriorated. The only time I’ve recently taken public transportation was with my daughter Julie when we took the train into Chicago for the BlogHer Conference last July…and honestly, it was a very nice and uneventful trip, and I didn’t experience any problems of the kind that you mentioned. However, I am not in the least surprised by what you say about public transportation…people taking up several spaces, loud talking, not sitting next to the window, etc. I’m sorry to say, but I think there is just a more ‘thoughtless’ “me-first” attitude than there use to be…..not everyone of course, but in general.
stephen says
I travel on public transport each morning and night. Thus I can totally relate with each issue you have mentioned. What bugs me the most is that, yes, school kids are no longer taught to stand for their elders.
Most recently I had to force my way through a throng of backpacks: Four girls with filled-backpacks blocked an aisle, their bags almost in the faces of sitting people. I wish there were signs on the interior of the bus that explained to these kids how to be courteous, respectful and quieter!
David Kirba says
Hehe. Enjoyed this. But you should really try public transport in India and Ethiopia. I remember once in a Mumbai train when my feet weren’t touching the ground.
Do you mind if I link to this post when I write about public transport in Addis Ababa?
Cheers,
David K
Luis says
Hello,
I am from Mexico and just came to Melbourne. In my country it is very common to cross sights with other people in public transport without any particular meaning or intention.
I have noticed that in Melbourne looking straight into the eyes is not common at all. Is it, somehow, considered rude?