Worst public transport behaviours and how to correct it according to etiquette coach Zarife Hardy

Public transport always shows a microcosm of society, with people you may have never met before.

You’ll soon discover that we all have our own idea of ​​what is socially acceptable.

The nine.com.au team is no stranger public transportand shared some of the unusual, annoying and sometimes downright disgusting behaviors they’ve encountered with etiquette expert Zarife Hardy from the Australian School of Etiquette share what needs to be done in each situation.

Listening to something out loud at full volume

“If you forgot your headphones, tough luck,” one employee explained.

“You can’t scroll through TikTok and Instagram at full volume. You can’t listen to music. You can’t make calls on speakerphone. You sit in frustrated silence, thinking about your important belongings next time.

“If I even hear someone playing music out loud or scrolling Tik Tok on a train near me, I immediately get angry.”

This was a known issue among our team, with Hardy suggesting: “On public transport, playing music or watching social media videos out loud is considered rude and poor etiquette.

“Keep in mind that it is not your living room. Always use headphones when listening to music or watching videos on public transport. Keep your volume low enough so that others cannot hear at any time.”

Not being aware of personal belongings blocking the space

Another major concern shared by our team was that people were not aware of their belongings, limiting the already limited space we have to sit or stand on public transport.

One employee had a problem with “people spreading out and putting their things on the seat next to them and not having the awareness to move them away and make room when the bus/train gets busy.”

“I once collapsed on a man’s sweater when he did this, and the look of horror he gave me will fuel me forever,” she satisfyingly shared.

Another added: “If you take a bike on the train you should be fined $200 immediately. You need a mode of transportation… especially during rush hours when it’s busy. Get off the train!”

“It is rude to place bags, backpacks or other items between seats in a way that prevents other people from sitting there,” Hardy affirms.

“Seats are for passengers to sit on. Place your suitcases on your lap or at your feet and move any luggage immediately when the train is busy. Always take into account the space you take up.”

Not giving seats to vulnerable members of society

Another public transport annoyance we have is, in the words of a nine.com.au employee, “when people don’t stand up for the elderly and just sit there staring at their phone while someone literally struggles to keep their balance”.

“It should be universally known that if you are seated, even if you are not in a priority seat, you must give up your seat for the elderly or injured who have difficulty standing in a moving vehicle,” one team member raged.

“I’ve stood too many times and watched everyone pretend I didn’t see someone struggling just so they wouldn’t have to give up their seat on a ten-minute journey. It infuriates me so much that I’ve been a Karen and suggested to the people seated that someone offer their seat.”

Another added: “Nothing bothers me more than when high school students take up half a row of seats while others (especially elderly or pregnant women) stand up. My school issues detentions to kids if they are caught on their way to school or on their way home.”

Hardy added: ‘It is generally considered rude not to offer your seat to someone who is older, pregnant, injured or has a disability, especially if seating is limited. It is part of basic public courtesy and shows respect.

“It’s also important to remember that not all disabilities are visible. Try to avoid harsh assumptions about people. When in doubt, give them your place.”

People who are sick on public transport

While it is an unfortunate situation to have to travel while sick, there are some steps that can be taken to minimize the impact on others.

“I hate anyone who is sick on public transport. If I can, I will switch seats if someone near me coughs or blows their nose on the train,” one employee said.

‘I’ve seen two people throw up on public transport… one man just passed his vomit all over the bus, and a few weeks ago a lady on my train threw up in her bag on a crowded train before getting off.

“Not covering sneezes or coughs on the train is unsanitary and selfish because it affects the comfort and health of people in a shared, enclosed space,” Hardy said.

“Always cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and preferably turn away from people, then disinfect your hands and be very careful in busy environments.”

People who don’t let passengers off first

“I hate it when people cut in front of you (slide past you) as soon as the doors open, knowing full well that you were standing there long before they arrived and should be allowed to go in front of them,” said a nine.com.au employee.

Another added that they often “form a ring around the door to prevent people from getting out easily.”

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“It is considered rude and poor etiquette on public transport to board a train before passengers have had a chance to disembark,” Hardy confirms.

“Always stand to the side of the doors when the train stops, let passengers disembark completely first and then board the train in an attentive manner. This keeps the passenger flow smooth and safer.”

If people even stay seated, if you ask them to move so you can disembark

One of our employees hates, as she puts it, “when people don’t get ready to get off as the train approaches the station, and then get off when people have already gotten on.”

“The same goes for people who look at me strangely and say: ‘I’m getting out too’ and sit right in front of it [the stop] when I say ‘Excuse me’… get ready to go so we don’t have the problem mentioned earlier!!

“As one’s stop approaches, it is good etiquette to go to the doors in advance (if practical), make room for others to pass, and always avoid blocking aisles or doorways,” says Hardy.

“When you get close to your stop, prepare for your departure.”

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