Public Transportation Etiquette

Since graduating and starting work full time in the city a good amount of my time is spent in transit. From bobbing and weaving as I navigate my daily walks through midtown, to the bus, to the subway, I am constantly surrounded by other people. I am a self proclaimed city lover and adore being where the action is, but when you spend 3+ hours a day commuting (my claim to fame as I live at home in Jersey with my parents to save money. Those student loans aren’t going to pay themselves, ya know. Check out how to make the most of your commute if you’re in the same boat as me), you just want everyone to abide by the rules of etiquette. I doubt that the worst offenders will find their way to my blog, but for those of you who want to make everyone else’s commute enjoyable, or at least more bearable, here are my top etiquette tips for public transportation!

Please, my goodness, do not play your music out loud

I was on the subway, early on a Sunday morning, and there was a man playing loud trap music through speakers. He wasn’t performing, he wasn’t taking song requests, he was just behaving obnoxiously. I mean, there were children around and he’s there casually playing music where the f-bomb was continually dropped. I wasn’t the only one bothered by this; once he got off the subway a woman made two new friends right in front of me as they all complained about this rude man. Soooo don’t play your music out loud, please and thank you.

Take up as little space as possible

There is nothing quite like the subway at rush hour when everyone and their mother are trying to get home. That means that you are required to take up as little space as possible, no excuses. Hold you bag close to your body, file into the subway completely (no lurking at the door), and make as little noise as possible.

When it comes to stairs and escalators, leave the left side open to the power walkers

Being in the city makes me want to walk as fast as possible and find every short cut and weave through people like someone is chasing me. I know not everyone feels this way, but to make space for those who do, please stay to your right if you are going to go slowly and leave the left open to the speed demons.

Let people get off before you push your way in

It seems simple enough to understand that when you let people out there will be more room for you inside, but for whatever reason, this continually seems to escape the most stubborn of subway riders.

Don’t stop moving, or if you have to step toward the wall

People moving through a subway, bus, or train station is a carefully orchestrated dance and you destroy it when you stop in the middle to consult directions and signs or who knows what. Simply step to the side and get out of the main flow of traffic.

Use common sense

When it comes down to it, just use your common sense and our golden rule of etiquette: always strive to put others at ease.

What are your etiquette rules for public transportation? Do people do anything that drives you mad?

-AJF

Please, my goodness, do not play your music out loud

Take up as little space as possible

When it comes to stairs and escalators, leave the left side open to the power walkers

Let people get off before you push your way in

Don’t stop moving, or if you have to step toward the wall

Use common sense

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