Railway Etiquette

[Badger]

So with another shoddy day on the railways in terms of the people using them I thought I'd start a thread on this. What things do you try and do, or what things should be done as a given, to just make things a little happier on the railways?

1. Passengers should wait until people have alighted before they get on, especially if it is a terminating train. They should leave the platform open and accessible to those getting off the train and not try and force their way on.

2. If somebody is obviously struggling to get off at a stop and you are in their way and in the doorway, it is polite to get off the train and back on again.

3. If you're getting onto a standing room only train, don't jump on a seat that becomes available; see if those who have been standing since at least the previous stop want the seat first, they could have been standing a long while.

4. Don't put bags on seats, or at least, not if there are people standing up. Especially don't decline when somebody asks for the seat and all you have on it is a handbag.

5. When the guard asks to get to the door controls, you should probably let him and not complain and swear. What else is he supposed to do?

6. Use the left hand staircase when leaving/entering a platform, especially at Birmingham New Street. What's someone supposed to do when both staircases are blocking the way to/from their train?

7. Don't press the "door close" button in an elevator if there's someone about to walk into said door if you do so.

8. If somebody's obviously gone out of their way to let you on a train, be nice and let them get out of whatever awkward position they're in (such as stuck in the toilet door)...

9. If the vestibule or door area is cramped up like sardines, move along the carriage.

I mean, all nine of those happened to me on my journey today, and regularly do. I know I'm just moaning, but you know, some kind of railway etiquette would be nice and would make things more pleasant

 

[yorksrob]

That's bad luck to have all of them on one journey !

Except 3 - If I'd been standing for a long time I'd be in position to pounce on the spare seat long before anyone else got on

 

[SS4]

1. Passengers should wait until people have alighted before they get on, especially if it is a terminating train. They should leave the platform open and accessible to those getting off the train and not try and force their way on.

Byelaw 10(1) covers this.

No person shall enter through any train door until any person leaving by that door has passed through.

2. If somebody is obviously struggling to get off at a stop and you are in their way and in the doorway, it is polite to get off the train and back on again.

Agreed

3. If you're getting onto a standing room only train, don't jump on a seat that becomes available; see if those who have been standing since at least the previous stop want the seat first, they could have been standing a long while.

I would prefer to see it offered to disabled/elderly people first and to whoever is travelling the furthest second. This would have the advantage of less flux on seats and help with alighting/boarding as this person is out of the way reducing incidents of point 2

4. Don't put bags on seats, or at least, not if there are people standing up. Especially don't decline when somebody asks for the seat and all you have on it is a handbag.

Agreed, this one will rage until the end of time for the larger bags although for short distances Bergens and other bulky equipment is best avoided and should be no more than rucksacks on local services.

5. When the guard asks to get to the door controls, you should probably let him and not complain and swear. What else is he supposed to do?

True, although just once I'd love a guard to do a PA saying "we're not stopping at this station because some twerp *insert description of said twerp here* won't let me open the doors"

6. Use the left hand staircase when leaving/entering a platform, especially at Birmingham New Street. What's someone supposed to do when both staircases are blocking the way to/from their train?

The amount of times I've fallen foul of this one! Tube etiquette needs to be introduced to public stairs and escalators nationwide, forget only on transport: stand on the right, walk on the left.


On a tangent fast lanes in supermarkets and public paths would be sterling but alas never going to happen.

7. Don't press the "door close" button in an elevator if there's someone about to walk into said door if you do so.

Yes, but don't leave the lift open for someone who is late for it. They should have left minimum connection time anyway

8. If somebody's obviously gone out of their way to let you on a train, be nice and let them get out of whatever awkward position they're in (such as stuck in the toilet door)...

Agreed.

9. If the vestibule or door area is cramped up like sardines, move along the carriage.

Yep, ideally there would be a distance based grading system with those getting off first near the doors. Better publicity about being allowed enough time to alight would aid since I feel many people think that the train will leave whilst they're fighting to exit.

 

[Greenback]

Railway etiquette in real life - a guide for the selfish passenger.

1. Always stand right in front of the door when people want to get off and you want to get on. This ensures that no one can sneak on in front of you, even if they have been waiting on the platform for ten minutes while you have just turned up.

2. Always put your bag or other belongings on the seat next to you. If you don't have anything, just stare at anyone who comes near you, and, if necessary, ask if they love Jesus. This will ensure you get two seats all to yourself, even on the busiest train.

3. Make sure you put your feet on the seat opposite if at all possible. Even if someone is sitting there.

4. Always talk very loudly into your mobile. This is even more fun when the train has a quiet zone, and you should always make every effort to sit in that carriage if one is available.

5. Always try and obstruct the train crew doors if you are unable to get a seat. Take a bike or baby buggy if you can, then you can swear and complain if you are asked to move it out of the way so that the driver or conductor can get in or out.

6. Always try and travel in a state of intoxication, and never, ever, buy a ticket if you can help it.

7. If you are in the aisle seat, try and refuse to allow anyone in or out from the window seat. If they persist, trip them up as they go past.

8. Occasionally, why not try and complete your journey while in the toilet? This will ensure that no one else can use the facilities, and is a particularly effective on late night trains.

9. Never put your luggage in the racks. Always leave them in the aisle for others to fall over.

10. Finally, always, always, always smoke on the platform.

 

[Badger]

3. Make sure you put your feet on the seat opposite if at all possible. Even if someone is sitting there.

Have had a footprint on my jeans before as testament to this.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Railway etiquette in real life - a guide for the selfish passenger.
1 - 10.

Very good! Made my day!
But I think you must have forgotten to turn over the page, aren't there a couple more? Starting with

10. Finally, always, always, always smoke on the platform.

which continues "and in the train's toilets".

11. On busy trains, sit in First Class and avoid eye contact with any staff.

12. When spoken to by any staff, always give them a long complicated story of all the grief you've had from everyone else all day, talk quickly, swear regularly and refer to them as "jobsworth".

13. Enjoy telling rowdy jokes to a person sitting far away so that you have to shout. If they don't laugh, you can do the laughing for them.

 

[MCR247]

It really gets to me when a train is sat on a platform locked, so as it gets closer to departure time, there is quite a few people 'queuing' at each door. Don't you just love it when a woman then walks up the platform, sees the fact that people are queuing and that no-one is onboard, and then decides to walk right in from of you (when you're at the front and pretty close to the doors - as in so you could just reach out and press the button) and press the door button. She turns around and looks at me and the rest of the queue with a look like 'oh, thats why you were stood watching the door'. I just gave her one look which said 'well actually we just enjoy standing in the wind and rain when theres a perfectly good train there' :roll::roll:

Happened to me twice in one day :roll:

 

[AlterEgo]

11. On busy trains, sit in First Class and avoid eye contact with any staff.

12. When spoken to by any staff, always give them a long complicated story of all the grief you've had from everyone else all day, talk quickly, swear regularly and refer to them as "jobsworth".

Two of my pet hates!

13. When feeling antisocial, place your bag on the seat next to the window and occupy the aisle seat. That'll learn 'em.

 

[yorksrob]

Railway etiquette in real life - a guide for the selfish passenger.

1. Always stand right in front of the door when people want to get off and you want to get on. This ensures that no one can sneak on in front of you, even if they have been waiting on the platform for ten minutes while you have just turned up.

2. Always put your bag or other belongings on the seat next to you. If you don't have anything, just stare at anyone who comes near you, and, if necessary, ask if they love Jesus. This will ensure you get two seats all to yourself, even on the busiest train.

3. Make sure you put your feet on the seat opposite if at all possible. Even if someone is sitting there.

4. Always talk very loudly into your mobile. This is even more fun when the train has a quiet zone, and you should always make every effort to sit in that carriage if one is available.

5. Always try and obstruct the train crew doors if you are unable to get a seat. Take a bike or baby buggy if you can, then you can swear and complain if you are asked to move it out of the way so that the driver or conductor can get in or out.

6. Always try and travel in a state of intoxication, and never, ever, buy a ticket if you can help it.

7. If you are in the aisle seat, try and refuse to allow anyone in or out from the window seat. If they persist, trip them up as they go past.

8. Occasionally, why not try and complete your journey while in the toilet? This will ensure that no one else can use the facilities, and is a particularly effective on late night trains.

9. Never put your luggage in the racks. Always leave them in the aisle for others to fall over.

10. Finally, always, always, always smoke on the platform.

8 really, really annoys me, mainly because I'm sometimes guilty of 6.

But I don't mind 10 too much

 

[SS4]

Two of my pet hates!

13. When feeling antisocial, place your bag on the seat next to the window and occupy the aisle seat. That'll learn 'em.

14. Everyone wanting to board the train should use the same door.
14a. and complain to the guard about it

 

[michael769]

15 Walk slowly 2 abreast in a space wide enough for 5 to pass with ease, and ignore everyone behind you. As long as your train is not due for ages it's fine to block people who are trying not to miss theirs which are due to leave very soon.
16 See 15, when someone comes towards you grudgingly move aside only enough to leave a such tiny amount of space that even an anorexic mouse would have to sidle awkwardly to get by.

 

[Minilad]

17. if you are unsure if the train standing at the platform is the one you need ask the helpful smiling driver standing in the cab door. After he has given you a cheerful response that it is indeed your train walk less than 15 foot and ask the same question of the platform staff. Then when he also says it is your train board said train. Try though to ignore the helpful smiling driver ranting about why you didn't believe what he had told you

 

[Michael.Y]

18. Despite having the exact change in your purse, always pay for your 85p chocolate bar off the trolley steward with a £20.

18a. Complain when he/she gives you the remains of their £15 float (plus £4.15 from their own wallet) in pound coins, 50ps, 20ps, 10ps, 5ps and copper.

 

[SS4]

19. Table manners belong in the 50s. Feel free to chew with your mouth open, talk with a mouthful of food. Chewing is optional

20. In extension to rule 4 do everything as loudly as possible.

 

[Nym]

Remember, the 1646 is the ONLY train back to Blackpool on an evening!

 

[Tomonthetrain]

Please stand so your blocking the aisle for people to stand on a 172/2

Feel free to start a punch up in the center coach!

 

[Robinson]

My pet hate is when people start snogging on public transport. I mean, can't people control themselves for a few hours of the day? If I'd been in charge of some of the trains I've travelled on when people have been all over each other, a few people would have been off, by way of "pick a window"...

 

[chris89]

My pet hate is when people start snogging on public transport. I mean, can't people control themselves for a few hours of the day? If I'd been in charge of some of the trains I've travelled on when people have been all over each other, a few people would have been off, by way of "pick a window"...

People for that can do what they want to though, if you did that you would be no better then a lot of annoying public.

Yes it can be annoying but just ignore them :-P

I will kiss my other half when out and about and will on public transport, but a small kiss, not a full on snog, as we prefer not to and dislike doing that.

Chris

 

[Nym]

My pet hate is when people start snogging on public transport. I mean, can't people control themselves for a few hours of the day? If I'd been in charge of some of the trains I've travelled on when people have been all over each other, a few people would have been off, by way of "pick a window"...

THANKYOU!

It really (insert naughty word here)s me off!

Why do they feel the need to do that, it's not even quiet, subtle or civilised...

Oh and while i'm at it, people who complain about crying babies and toddlers, "Babies cry, it's their 2nd favourite thing!" (Anyone who can name what I'm quoting wins a prize btw.)

Either way, snogging, or complaining, both annoying.

 

[yorksrob]

THANKYOU!

It really (insert naughty word here)s me off!

Why do they feel the need to do that, it's not even quiet, subtle or civilised...

Oh and while i'm at it, people who complain about crying babies and toddlers, "Babies cry, it's their 2nd favourite thing!" (Anyone who can name what I'm quoting wins a prize btw.)

Either way, snogging, or complaining, both annoying.

Personally I'd prefer some people quietly snogging than a noisy baby. Not saying I'd blame the baby necessarily but I don't see why a couple minding their own business should be so horrendous but we're not allowed to grumble about noisy children who haven't even sprung from our own loins!

 

[Nym]

A crying baby can't be helped sometimes though, it can always be helped to not be swapping saliva with each other like a pair of horny school children, although I am not a fan of this at any point, but if I'd have been on a TPE service off platform 14 and doing that with my partner, we'd probably end up beaten up... (Yes, even in Manchester).

Even without that, I don't like snogging, or other people doing it, it sounds much more disgusting than most other things, and is just plain irritating!

 

[yorksrob]

A crying baby can't be helped sometimes though, it can always be helped to not be swapping saliva with each other like a pair of horny school children,!

No ones forcing you to join in - unless they ask you to swap saliva

 

[Nym]

No, but them doing it is what is irritating, not the being asked to join in or not, just sounds horrible

 

[yorksrob]

No, but them doing it is what is irritating, not the being asked to join in or not, just sounds horrible

Not as horrible as a sprog screaming the whole way. For the snogging you can just read something.

 

[deltic1989]

My pet hate is when people start snogging on public transport. I mean, can't people control themselves for a few hours of the day? If I'd been in charge of some of the trains I've travelled on when people have been all over each other, a few people would have been off, by way of "pick a window"...

Wont mention what me and mrs deltic got up to on a deserted 156 once then.

 

[Nym]

Not as horrible as a sprog screaming the whole way. For the snogging you can just read something.

Reading doesn't cover up sound....
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Wont mention what me and mrs deltic got up to on a deserted 156 once then.

If it's deserted, then it's fine..

EDIT: You won't want to know what has been conducted on a deserted 156 back when I commuted Bridlington - Hull at silly o clock, or on the York - Selby shuttles late on.

 

[2Dogbox]

No one so far has mentioned the dreadful habit if playing tinny rap music as loudly as possible on a mobile phone. This is my pet hate. Ask them to turn it off and you get resonses like "why should I?" or "i'll do what I like" .... The best example of this was not actually on a mobile phone but a bloke who was obviously not all there playing 'The Beach Boys' very very loudly on a bright yellow cassette player. When I asked him to turn it off or down his response was "I have it this loud becuase I can't hear it properly over your noisy train" madness!

 

[Robinson]

No one so far has mentioned the dreadful habit if playing tinny rap music as loudly as possible on a mobile phone. This is my pet hate. Ask them to turn it off and you get resonses like "why should I?" or "i'll do what I like" .... The best example of this was not actually on a mobile phone but a bloke who was obviously not all there playing 'The Beach Boys' very very loudly on a bright yellow cassette player. When I asked him to turn it off or down his response was "I have it this loud becuase I can't hear it properly over your noisy train" madness!

I suppose it's this entire attitude of "I'll do what I like" with scant regard for fellow passengers that causes most problems...

 

[BestWestern]

Back to the list,

Rule 21. When approached by the Guard doing tickets, always leave your headphones plugged firmly into your ears so that when he asks for your Railcard you can stare vacantly at him until he begins to shout :roll:

Rule 22. If arriving at your train after dispatch has started, always ignore the closing doors, hustle alarm and shouts from the Guard and platform staff, and barge your way on board jamming the doors in the process. When the Guard comes to have words with you about it, act stupid and pretend you didn't know that you weren't meant to do that.

Rule 23. If travelling with a pushchair never, ever fold it up, even if it is empty. If necessary, put your child back into it and then claim that you can't possibly fold it up now.

Rule 24. Cyclists, never acknowledge the obvious fact that a packed train only has limited cycle capacity. Use your cycle as a battering ram in order to force your way into the train, and then leave it sideways across the gangway or wedged into a doorwell in order to cause maximum inconvenience to other travellers.

 

[Nym]

Rule 24. Cyclists, never acknowledge the obvious fact that a packed train only has limited cycle capacity. Use your cycle as a battering ram in order to force your way into the train, and then leave it sideways across the gangway or wedged into a doorwell in order to cause maximum inconvenience to other travellers.

This is something that much ALWAYS be done when travelling less than a mile from Salford Crescent to Manchester Oxford Road, a distance you could probably cycle faster than the train can make it down the Windsor Link...