Quiet coach etiquette

[cf111]

I think 3141 was TIC (hope so ) .

It's hard to tell sometimes on here

 

[SeanG]

I feel bad if my music can be heard over headphones or if my phone goes off in ANY coach.
I do presume that I am of a minority in the sub 25 age group though...

 

[D1009]

Some years ago NS did indeed have quiet compartments where no conversation was expected. They were used mainly by businessmen, and they would make it very clear if you started your own conversation with a travelling companion in such a compartment that this was not the expected behaviour. It was a good system, and the compartments were well used.

I remember that, was one of the pictograms used to signify it one which depicted a baby with a line across it?

 

[TimG]

Does anyone else feel strongly about the level of noise in the quiet coach in Virgin Pendalinos? Sometimes, but not always, staff will ask passengers not to use mobile phones but there's nothing about keeping conversation to a minimum. On my last two journeys from Euston to Glasgow some people talked non stop all the way. Then there's the issue of families with young children being booked into the quiet coach- that's never going to work. I've been in touch with Virgin asking what are the rules for the quiet coach but just got a generic reply
saying sorry I'd been inconvenienced. Curious to know is it just me? What do others think?

This comes up a lot. Given the rise of open plan offices I think most people are used to noisy conversations in the background while they work.

 

[AM9]

This comes up a lot. Given the rise of open plan offices I think most people are used to noisy conversations in the background while they work.

So as I said earlier, those who have a special problem with noise should take steps to protect their own ears. Ear defenders are very cheap, ear plugs even cheaper.
I remember when travelling in MKI rolling stock was an experience where noise from other passengers wasn't an issue, because of the racket that the B1 bogies, steel and wood bodies and jointed track made. My first experience of (relatively) quiet trains was the 442s where other passengers (particularly children) might irritate. It's more a consequence of lower noise levels from the train itself.
Anyone who expects a quiet coach to be as quiet as a library reading room is being unreasonable, mainly because it isn't a reading room, and there's no expectation that everybody else will be reading. Just get over it.

 

[aylesbury]

The quiet coach should be that most people are sensible in its use but you do get the odd moron and I have seen staff politely sort them out.On a Chiltern service to Brum a group of business men started phoning and chatting loudly when the conductor just said that it was a quiet coach and they all stopped immediately.But I am incresingingly fed up with the loud stupid rude individuals that seem to dominate this country and walk roughshod over everybody else ,remonstrating with these idiots only seems to cause even more unpleasentness at least if I am in the car I am away from them1

 

[6Gman]

I remember when travelling in MKI rolling stock was an experience where noise from other passengers wasn't an issue, because of the racket that the B1 bogies, steel and wood bodies and jointed track made. My first experience of (relatively) quiet trains was the 442s where other passengers (particularly children) might irritate. It's more a consequence of lower noise levels from the train itself.
Anyone who expects a quiet coach to be as quiet as a library reading room is being unreasonable, mainly because it isn't a reading room, and there's no expectation that everybody else will be reading. Just get over it.

Coming home from Euston in the 1970s in a Mk IIc with the windows open (no air-con) you had to shout to make yourself heard across the table!

 

[Clip]

One small thing that might help would be for the online booking system to change the quiet coach option from "yes" or "no preference" to "yes" or "no" and for reservations in the quiet carriage to be given only when the former is selected.
.

Would be ideal but then people would moan that the cheaper tier of tickets has gone when they select the non quiet coach and have to pay a little more.

 

[47271]

Reference to the 1970s reminds me, although the point about stock quieter than non aircon mk2s is a good one...

The very first time I travelled in an HST, as quite a young child, probably 1979ish, I have a very vague memory of an oldish lady across the table, also a 125 first timer, commenting favourably that so smooth and mod con was it that they played music to the passengers. My mother pointed out, not at all grumpily, that it was 'some people playing a radio down the carriage'. Maybe I was a just a kid and nothing irritated me, but I don't think anyone else around us was that bothered either. It wasn't madly loud, and quite nicely reproduced on a big ghetto blaster, to be fair, and they were playing Supertramp or something like that.

It makes me wonder if those of us who aren't behaving antisocially are far more ready to take offence now. Would I get upset today if someone laid out a quality Bluetooth speaker and gently played something similarly inoffensive at the other end of the coach?

Yes I'd be furious, but not as much as the older lady or my mother!

 

[kermit]

I find it extraordinary in these days of escalating passenger numbers and shorter trains, that anyone should think that a coach populated by grumpy Trappist monks, available for no extra charge, is some sort of human right. A quiet coach is fine as an aspiration, but if seats are scarce, then anything less than a hen party in full swing is OK. Buy earplugs.

 

[Bantamzen]

So if there is a belief that rules (on signage in the coach) could be created that would stand up to legal scrutiny, what would they include? Maybe some of these are difficult to deal with:
sniffs
sneezes
coughs
tutting *
talking at 'normal' levels (bear in mind that everybody has a different definition of 'normal')
turning pages, (broadsheet newspapers as well)
proper keyboards (clicking ones, not soft keyboards on windows)
struggling to get out of cramped seating, (grunts etc.)

By some of the posts here there seems to be an expectation that dead silence is the only criteria, despite the incessant interruptions of loud TM/Buffet/recorded stops and safety message (especially on Pendolinos). As trains get quieter in suspension and aerodynamic terms, some of those who do really have a problem with everyday noise will find themselves in more and more petty arguments and no written rules can cater for that so they might just as well get their ear defenders now.

* no doubt the tutters don't consider their noise irritating

What about eating, especially from something loud like a bag of crisps, or an apple.....

Seriously though, I thought the principle of quiet coaches was simple, keep the noise level to a minimum i.e. no music through headphones or otherwise, no mobile rings or conversations on the same. To expect people not to converse for a long journey is simply ridiculous. Frankly from my experience of quiet coaches, the people demanding complete silence are the same kind of people who board a busy train and view a carriage more than 10% full with a discernible disdain, and will spend several minutes glaring at people daring to sit in "their" carriage before taking a seat.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Would be ideal but then people would moan that the cheaper tier of tickets has gone when they select the non quiet coach and have to pay a little more.

Are the quotas linked to specific seats? I thought that was removed.

 

[misterredmist]

I find it extraordinary in these days of escalating passenger numbers and shorter trains, that anyone should think that a coach populated by grumpy Trappist monks, available for no extra charge, is some sort of human right. A quiet coach is fine as an aspiration, but if seats are scarce, then anything less than a hen party in full swing is OK. Buy earplugs.

Indeed , trains don't make good libraries ......

 

[mirodo]

Indeed , trains don't make good libraries ......

What about trains for Reading?

 

[jon0844]

Indeed , trains don't make good libraries ......

Got to use the overhead luggage racks for something. Sadly, on most trains I use the only reading material stored there is the Metro.

 

[RichmondCommu]

I think one or two forum members perhaps need to be reminded of the fact that by taking the train you are using public transport. That's right folks, you have to share the train with the public! Shock horror!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

A quiet coach is fine as an aspiration, but if seats are scarce, then anything less than a hen party in full swing is OK. Buy earplugs.

In all fairness a hen party in full swing is highly amusing!

 

[Wolfie]

I think one or two forum members perhaps need to be reminded of the fact that by taking the train you are using public transport. That's right folks, you have to share the train with the public! Shock horror!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


In all fairness a hen party in full swing is highly amusing!

Not if (shudders at memory!) you are stone cold sober and become the target for their mocking pseudo-"lust".....

 

[RichmondCommu]

Not if (shudders at memory!) you are stone cold sober and become the target for their mocking pseudo-"lust".....

Best thing to do is just go along with it in my experience. They mean no harm, they're just after a good time and a few days away from the kids and their 'other half'.

 

[Hellfire]

Isn't the root of all this that a minority of people are just anti-social. That minority comes from all spectrums of society. It is just as annoying when a suited businessman has long loud self-important conversations on his phone, as when some hooded youngster assumes he can listen to music on his phone without having to invest in headphones.

There are a minority of people who can't control their noisy children and a minority who think it acceptable to get completely legless and cause disruption on a train. In my view the best weapon is peer pressure but the British are too polite to interfere.

I'm a great supporter of quiet coaches, they are often an oasis of calm in what is an increasingly noisy world. It's a shame that the only quiet area on a Virgin Pendo now is the coach with the smallest capacity as they have done away with it in first.

And while I accept people are always going to make a certain level of noise, I don't think it is asking too much to provide, and importantly regulate a space for those who want it.

Mind you, I'm someone who goes into the vestibule to answer my phone, even on a non-quiet coach because I don't think it is polite to inflict my conversation on everyone else. I never cease to be amazed by people who are happy to broadcast the most intimate details about their life to a coach load of fascinated passengers.

 

[RichmondCommu]

Mind you, I'm someone who goes into the vestibule to answer my phone, even on a non-quiet coach because I don't think it is polite to inflict my conversation on everyone else. I never cease to be amazed by people who are happy to broadcast the most intimate details about their life to a coach load of fascinated passengers.

I think this also says a lot about our society. I couldn't give tuppence as to what kind of conversations other travelers are having. Its very easy to ignore people if you wish to.

 

[Wolfie]

Best thing to do is just go along with it in my experience. They mean no harm, they're just after a good time and a few days away from the kids and their 'other half'.

I agree... until they want to get "tactile".....

 

[RichmondCommu]

I agree... until they want to get "tactile".....

Well yes, then you're in trouble!

 

[bramling]

Isn't the root of all this that a minority of people are just anti-social. That minority comes from all spectrums of society. It is just as annoying when a suited businessman has long loud self-important conversations on his phone, as when some hooded youngster assumes he can listen to music on his phone without having to invest in headphones.

There are a minority of people who can't control their noisy children and a minority who think it acceptable to get completely legless and cause disruption on a train. In my view the best weapon is peer pressure but the British are too polite to interfere.

I'm a great supporter of quiet coaches, they are often an oasis of calm in what is an increasingly noisy world. It's a shame that the only quiet area on a Virgin Pendo now is the coach with the smallest capacity as they have done away with it in first.

And while I accept people are always going to make a certain level of noise, I don't think it is asking too much to provide, and importantly regulate a space for those who want it.

Mind you, I'm someone who goes into the vestibule to answer my phone, even on a non-quiet coach because I don't think it is polite to inflict my conversation on everyone else. I never cease to be amazed by people who are happy to broadcast the most intimate details about their life to a coach load of fascinated passengers.

Agree with all the above. Wish there was a quiet coach on some Northern services. So often you get two young women who will travel 1-2 hours just to visit Primark, and spend the entire journey without drawing breath, babbling about who has shagged who in the village, who's got a new dress, who's just had a tattoo, etc. Spending the journey reading a book might give these bimbo types a little bit enrichment their lives surely need.

 

[Alan White]

Personally I find the loud, frequent, unnecessary automated announcements - which on SWT are also broadcast in the so-called quiet coach - and the equally unnecessary and near-interminable announcements of the guard much more annoying than the chatter of my fellow passengers.

This seems to be TOC-specific. On SWT, Southern (as was) and LO* trains there is almost never silence from the loudspeakers. On GW the only announcements seem to be the guard telling you when you're approaching the next station.


* It's a couple of months since I was last on LO but this is imprinted on my brain: "This is the London Overground service to [wherever]. The next station is [somewhere]. Please keep your luggage with you at all times and report anything suspicious to a member of staff." The last sentence is at alternate stations replaced with "You must have a valid ticket or Oyster card to use this service. If you do not you may have to pay a penalty fare. Thank you." This is no longer correct, of course. What about contactless? And why is she thanking me?

Sorry, I digress. No doubt this has been discussed previously.

 

[Aldaniti]

Isn't the root of all this that a minority of people are just anti-social. That minority comes from all spectrums of society. It is just as annoying when a suited businessman has long loud self-important conversations on his phone, as when some hooded youngster assumes he can listen to music on his phone without having to invest in headphones.

There are a minority of people who can't control their noisy children and a minority who think it acceptable to get completely legless and cause disruption on a train. In my view the best weapon is peer pressure but the British are too polite to interfere.

I'm a great supporter of quiet coaches, they are often an oasis of calm in what is an increasingly noisy world. It's a shame that the only quiet area on a Virgin Pendo now is the coach with the smallest capacity as they have done away with it in first.

And while I accept people are always going to make a certain level of noise, I don't think it is asking too much to provide, and importantly regulate a space for those who want it.

Mind you, I'm someone who goes into the vestibule to answer my phone, even on a non-quiet coach because I don't think it is polite to inflict my conversation on everyone else. I never cease to be amazed by people who are happy to broadcast the most intimate details about their life to a coach load of fascinated passengers.

I couldn't agree more. If I need to make an urgent call I too will go into the vestibule and make it short and sweet, but normally I'll switch my phone off before boarding a train. Perhaps its just manners and the way we were brought up. Personally, I'd designate all IC trains quiet, and provide one coach where the noise-makers can go.

 

[CC 72100]

Not if (shudders at memory!) you are stone cold sober and become the target for their mocking pseudo-"lust".....

Originally Posted by RichmondCommu

Best thing to do is just go along with it in my experience. They mean no harm, they're just after a good time and a few days away from the kids and their 'other half'.

Hmm, suggest that the other way round to a woman faced with a stag party and see if they'd be happy to 'go along with it'.

Oh no wait, a group of women with a guy is a no problem, even a joke, the other way round is a big no-no.

Good old double standards

 

[6Gman]

Hmm, suggest that the other way round to a woman faced with a stag party and see if they'd be happy to 'go along with it'.

Oh no wait, a group of women with a guy is a no problem, even a joke, the other way round is a big no-no.

Good old double standards

Quite.

When I see a gaggle of tipsy 'hens' tripping along the platform waving a giant inflatable penis I do wonder what the response would be to blokes waving a giant inflatable model of the female pudenda?

 

[Drogba11CFC]

I agree... until they want to get "tactile".....

I have the British Transport Police number in my text contacts for just such an occasion.

(I actually added it some time ago, in case of people wanting to give Chelsea supporters a hard time over...events...in Paris.)

 

[al78]

Isn't the root of all this that a minority of people are just anti-social.

Not just anti-social, thoughtless and what I like to call spatially incompetent, by that I mean oblivious to anything or anyone outside their two meter personal space zone. It is like they treat everywhere as an extension of their house.

 

[AM9]

Not just anti-social, thoughtless and what I like to call spatially incompetent, by that I mean oblivious to anything or anyone outside their two meter personal space zone. It is like they treat everywhere as an extension of their house.

As in they expect it to be as quiet as their house when they are the only person at home?