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10 Golden Public Transit Rules

Here are some general rules to follow, and a few lessons in common sense.

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1. Deodorant is always a good idea and so is gargling some mouthwash.

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2. Don’t eat messy food on the train. We would add smelly food as well—tuna, eggs, and Limburger cheese are out.

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3. Move in when you are sitting in the aisle seat of a three row seat. If you are not traveling for two or more hours, just do it. Also, you shouldn’t have to be told to move for pregnant women and the elderly.

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4. No loud cell phone talking! Everyone will hate you and you may be embarrassed on national news with unflattering photos.

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5. If you missed your grooming opportunity at home, your commute is not the time for nail clipping, hair spraying, or any form of gargling.

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6. No one is paying you to be the doorman, so don’t hold the doors. Mr. Smith can catch the next train. The obvious exception: Holding the door for a pregnant woman or elderly person.

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7. Step out of the way of people exiting the train. If you are at the door then step out and allow the people to enter. Likewise, they should be stepping aside on the platform for you to exit.

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8. Don’t sing. Don’t hum. Don’t whistle. Don’t yodel.

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9. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. If you feel ill wait for the feeling to pass before boarding a train filled with passengers with open-toed shoes.

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10. You went to happy hour. We know you’re happy. We’re glad you’re not driving. Be quiet and respectful of weary commuting passengers.

Sources: CBSnews.com, nymag.com, yahoo.com

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Your Comments

  • Kayak4651

    Where did you find these rules?  In some book from the 1940′s?  Get real.  Few obey such platitudes today..  It would be nice, but it will never happen.   

    • Youdonkeys

      don’t think that there were cell phones in the 1940′s… just sayin’

  • Tari

    They’re all basic rules, thank you for remind us.

  • Ambet

     even if you take public transport, don’t take “public” too literally. please don’t think that others’ personal space is also yours.1 on the stairs or escalators, keep to the sides to give way to those who are rushing2 don’t linger on entran…ces/exits (they’re there for a purpose)3 when the bus or train is almost full but some people are still trying to enter, don’t just stand there like your feet are glued to the floor. please move and do your best to let them in (for all you know, being late might cost them their jobs)4 don’t share your stories AND your personal taste in music (we don’t actually care to hear them)5 do not sigh loudly and breathe on my nape (do you want to feel my breath on your nape? i doubt.)6 again, even if the vehicle is full, i don’t want to rub elbows with you if i can help it (esp. if yours are sticky w/sweat), so please keep your arms to your sides. the same goes for your fanny. i don’t want it anywhere near mine, even if we’re of the same gender.7 don’t fling your (long) hair lest you strike the face of the person next to you8 in general, act civilized and be considerate. you do not own the vehicle.

  • Ambet

     even if you take public transport, don’t take “public” too literally. please don’t think that others’ personal space is also yours.1 on the stairs or escalators, keep to the sides to give way to those who are rushing2 don’t linger on entran…ces/exits (they’re there for a purpose)3 when the bus or train is almost full but some people are still trying to enter, don’t just stand there like your feet are glued to the floor. please move and do your best to let them in (for all you know, being late might cost them their jobs)4 don’t share your stories AND your personal taste in music (we don’t actually care to hear them)5 do not sigh loudly and breathe on my nape (do you want to feel my breath on your nape? i doubt.)6 again, even if the vehicle is full, i don’t want to rub elbows with you if i can help it (esp. if yours are sticky w/sweat), so please keep your arms to your sides. the same goes for your fanny. i don’t want it anywhere near mine, even if we’re of the same gender.7 don’t fling your (long) hair lest you strike the face of the person next to you8 in general, act civilized and be considerate. you do not own the vehicle.

  • Nekobaka

    I agree wiht all of them.  However, the girl in #8 can do anything she wants.  8-)

  • Ljlquilt55

    This is addressed to Kayak 4651.  Where did good old fashioned manners go?  If everyone would stop thinking about #1 and think about how their actions impact those around, then the world would be a better place.

  • Ljlquilt55

    This is addressed to Kayak 4651.  Where did good old fashioned manners go?  If everyone would stop thinking about #1 and think about how their actions impact those around, then the world would be a better place.

  • Guest

    This annoying bar that tries to get me to sign up for the RD newsletter or subscribe to RD is destroying the usability of these pages. The same goes for the bar across the top. They take up too much real estate limiting the space to see the story. I have to be continuously scrolling to read the item.
    I will be unsubscribing if this continues.

    • RDFanSince2006

      Good thing to know that someone elses thinks the way I do. I had exactly the same thought about the pop up bar. They should at least have a close button. Anyways, I’m already signed up to both the Newsletter AND the Magazine so stop harassing me! It took all my will power to not shout out as I visualized strangling the hovering thing with my bare hands. Fix this RD or I will stop visiting your site and maybe cancel my subscription too.

    • Route66Kicks

      Yep – impossible to read what it’s covering. Must plan to avoid this from here on out.

  • Lahdiva1369

    And what’s wrong with etiquette rules from the 1940s?  Idealistic yes, but we’d all be a lot more comfortable and a LOT less stressed.  But if ten is too many for you to remember, there’s just one rule—if you wouldn’t want someone to do it to you, don’t do it to someone else!!!

  • Lahdiva1369

    And what’s wrong with etiquette rules from the 1940s?  Idealistic yes, but we’d all be a lot more comfortable and a LOT less stressed.  But if ten is too many for you to remember, there’s just one rule—if you wouldn’t want someone to do it to you, don’t do it to someone else!!!

  • Lahdiva1369

    And what’s wrong with etiquette rules from the 1940s?  Idealistic yes, but we’d all be a lot more comfortable and a LOT less stressed.  But if ten is too many for you to remember, there’s just one rule—if you wouldn’t want someone to do it to you, don’t do it to someone else!!!

  • Lhogoh

    It’s an inspiring rules for riding public. Most, I’ve observed seldom follow these simple rules especially in PUVs, and trains.

  • Mar

    as for number three about moving in when on the aisle seat, can you makeroom, and include for the disabled persons as well, the elderly and pregnant women should and must be accorded their right place and comfort but we the disadvantage lot suffering from disability needs some respite as well, the other day I took to standing in the bus for an hours travel the man seated on the isle would not stand to help me out he told me he could not stand because he was sitting beside a pregnant woman  whom I later learned as never known to him or his companion,I’m not complaining the experience made me stronger, on one leg that is.

  • Mar

    still you’re mising the point here innumber six rule of not including the disabled persons, I think the person who wrote this piece does not have an inkling of how hobbling stroke suvivors  inches their way to the door trying as they mightily could to muster the strength to recovery on one good leg. 

  • Narrative_2006

    Kayak4651  Your words speak for themselves. Very typical of a selfish, inconsiderate generation who have forgotten everything , lacking the the etiquette and upbringing so needed to make this a nicer , friendlier, loving world. It starts with you Kayak4651 … try smiling and saying something nice today … it will cost you nothing but will mean everything to the person you’re addressing.

  • Debbie Poore

    Amen!   These should be posted in the buses…..

  • Mir Quasem

    I extol ideas(rules) given out here.Those are applicable equally all over the world.
    Many thanks to the contributor.

  • Federalist_Girl

    These people have obviously never been on the NYC Subway.  

  • Federalist_Girl

    These people have obviously never been on the NYC Subway.  

  • Federalist_Girl

    These people have obviously never been on the NYC Subway.  

  • Federalist_Girl

    These people have obviously never been on the NYC Subway.  

  • Dbreezezip

    It is amazing these days how mannerscommon sense are a thing of the past

  • Dbreezezip

    It is amazing these days how mannerscommon sense are a thing of the past