Personally, I love public transport. It’s environmentally friendly, cheapand gets you where you need to be without having to worry about traffic jams and other drivers. However, this pleasure is often overshadowed by other passengers who seem to forget that they are in a public place and not in their own living room. Loud conversations on the phone, videos playing at full volume, unwanted coughing and pushing and shoving sometimes make me want to poke my eyes out after a long day at work.

Anyone who has taken public transportation probably knows this pain all too well. At least that looks like all the photos of our team. Bored panda managed to find where passengers are behaving like total nuisances. Below is a comprehensive list of the most frustrating commuter behaviors, proving that common decency needs to be more common.

As you scroll, be sure to check out a conversation with diplomatic etiquette and protocol consultant, founder of Manners with Kristina and author of Elevate Your Presence, Kristina Szabova, and etiquette expert and founder of Etiquette Consulting Inc.., Jules Martinez Hirst, who kindly agreed to discuss public transport etiquette with us.

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My wife and I are on our honeymoon in Italy and the jet lag has pretty much ruined our sleep schedule. No worries, we’ll just sleep on the train, right? No! Instead, we listen to hours of crappy audio on TikTok, courtesy of two seemingly socially disabled and self-absorbed teenagers. Since when did it become acceptable to blow up your phone while the people around you are clearly trying to sleep?

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“Rude behavior on public transport often occurs because people are absorbed in their own world – running late, rushing to work or simply tuning out,” says the diplomatic etiquette and protocol consultant, founder of Manners with Kristina and author of Elevate Your Presence, Kristina Szabova.

“It is common to see commuters blocking form doors, not letting others go first or taking up extra space during rush hours. I believe that in most cases these actions are not intentionally rude, but rather it is a matter of ignoring how small actions can annoy others.”

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While living in Londonshe herself has witnessed a lot of ignorant behavior from commuters.

“Living in London and often traveling during rush hour on the tube, I have witnessed a lot of questionable behavior: people wearing makeup, cutting their nails, spraying perfume, eating foods with overpowering smells, listening to music without headphones and even leaving the subway behind empty bottles or trash These moments often highlight how easy it is to prioritize our own comfort over consideration of others in shared spaces.

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I’m busy commuting to work and this woman is leaning against the pole, on her phone, taking up as much space as possible, blocking people from getting on the train while leaning on my hand the whole way.
She turned around and looked at me angrily as if I was invading her personal space. The law is simply amazing to see

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Etiquette expert and founder of Etiquette Consulting Inc.., Jules Martinez Hirst, recognizes that we can be absorbed in our own little worlds. This is why we often forget to think of others.

She also notes that we can be less tolerant of questionable behavior on public transport, as busy schedules and crowded spaces can make people lose patience.

“Public transportation riders are a large demographic. Although different in composition, they all move in crowded spaces with crazy schedules and little or no personal space, so it’s easy for people to get lost. take on the smallest thing,” she said. said.

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So I was coming home from school on the bus and it was pouring rain. So what is the girl in front of me doing? Open his window. I asked her nicely several times if she could close it, to which she refused. At this point I was soaked and frustrated, so I closed the window. Guess what she does? Open it again, so the water keeps hitting me.

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According to etiquette experts, unacceptable behavior on public transportation includes:

1. Play music or videos without headphones.

2. Having loud conversations, whether in person or on the phone.

3. Occupy extra seats with bags during peak periods.

4. Eating smelly or messy food.

5. Grooming such as brushing hair or clipping nails.

6. Ignoring priority seats for those who actually need them.

7. Leave trash or empty bottles behind.

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“It’s important to remember that public transportation is a shared space and it reflects how you present yourself to others,” says Szabova. “Even though you might argue that putting on makeup doesn’t embarrass anyone, ask yourself: would you wear makeup in front of your boss? It’s not just about the act itself, but the impression it leaves on those around you. How you behave in public spaces says a lot about you, so be considerate, respectful and attentive to the shared environment.

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People tried to talk to her, but then she even started singing. “Everyone should listen to this!” Jesus is the only true God! He is our savior! » and so on… Religious people like that are ridiculous.

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If a person sees other passengers breaking any of these recommended rules, etiquette experts advise addressing them, but of course, with caution, grace, tact and kindness.

“For example, if someone is blocking a seat, you can politely ask: “Excuse me, is this seat occupied?” » instead of pointing out their lack of manners,” Szabova says.

“I remember a moment on a quiet bus where a man was playing music loudly without headphones. Another passenger leaned over and said with a smile: “I love this song, but could you tone it down a little?” Some of us are trying to relax. The man smiled back, apologized and put on his headphones: it was a perfect example of how kindness can defuse a situation,” she shared.

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On the train, I finished a chapter of my book and got up to put the book in my bag that was on the storage rack (I didn’t have time to finish another chapter before arriving at my station) and I came back and the lady had put her bag on my seat.

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If someone ignores these requests or becomes aggressive, experts recommend avoiding escalating the situation by involving transportation personnel or dropping the situation altogether.

“Remember that everyone is already stressed and nervous, so you want to avoid making the situation worse,” says Hirst. “Be polite but assertive. A simple polite request can go a long way in resolving the issue. When in doubt, lead by example. If travelers won’t give up their seats, then you can offer your seat and hopefully will encourage others to do the same.

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To ensure a pleasant journey for everyone, etiquette experts suggest a few rules that public transport passengers must respect:

1. Stay quiet: use headphones or speak quietly during your phone calls.

2. Respect your personal space: try not to bump, bend or push others.

3. Share the space: your single fare entitles you to a seat. Don’t take more than that.

4. Be considerate: cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow so as not to spread germs.

5. Follow the rules: pay for your ticket and wait for your turn to board.

6. Let others get off first: Pay attention to the doors and allow passengers to disembark before boarding.

7. Leave personal care to the privacy of the bathroom: Light touch-ups, like reapplying lipstick or fixing your hair, are OK if done discreetly, but anything more important should be reserved for a space private.

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“A little kindness and self-awareness can make a world of difference. Whether it’s offering a smile, helping someone with heavy luggage, or saying ‘thank you’ to the driver, these small gestures can turn a busy, chaotic commute into a more enjoyable experience for everyone. After all, the way we behave in shared spaces reflects not only our manners, but also our respect for each other,” says Szabova.

“Gratitude and kindness go a long way,” agrees Hirst. “Thank people or nod when someone gives you their seat or helps you with your bag to show you appreciate their gesture. A little thoughtfulness can make public transportation better for everyone.”

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I’ve often seen these articles about barefoot weirdos on planes (presumably from the US), I always thought most of them were so disgusting they must be fake. Until it was a real thing, so this is what I saw on a German long distance train (ICE), in the first class car. Enjoy your food!

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