Public Transport
Golden Rules for Public transport
Basic courtesies are easily forgotten on public transport, particularly if delays are lengthy and space is tight. Do not perpetuate this.
Bus queues were once an iconic part of the London street scene but an actual line is no longer always practical. However, there is still an order of boarding, even if it is not always explicit, and it is rude to barge in, rather than allowing those who were there first on to the bus. Be alert, make some eye contact and smile. It is good manners to have the card or fare ready and not spend ages fumbling in a huge bag.
Always offer your seat to those who need it more than you do. If pregnancy or decrepitude are in any doubt, it is best to quietly vacate your seat, move away and hope that your intended recipient will gravitate towards it.
Be tolerant if sudden lurches (a frequent occurrence on buses and tubes) propel you into close proximity with other passengers. Apologise if you're the perpetrator, and smile politely if you're the one being crushed.
Remember that proximity heightens tension and amplifies your behaviour, so be considerate if using a mobile phone, eating, drinking, listening to music or carrying outsized luggage. It is fine to be plugged in and to text or email but do not leak music, or impede people. Very loud conversation is anti-social but quiet talking is acceptable.
It's inconsiderate to eat smelly food in a confined environment, and applying make-up on public transport can jeapordise that all important first impression and make you appear disorganised.
Keep conversations with travelling companions quiet and discreet - you don't want everyone on the bus to be involuntarily eavesdropping.
If a fellow passenger wrongs you, ignore it and avoid confrontation. Smile and thank others who show forbearance or gestures of goodwill, including the driver and any staff.
