Australian train etiquette is an often controversial topic with some believing there’s nothing wrong with taking a loud personal phone call while putting their feet on the seat as they tuck into their tuna, egg and onion sanga. Others see it as the height of bad manners.
You just have to look at social media to find someone venting to the masses about a passenger that they believe is talking too loudly, using a spare seat for a bag, or clipping their toe nails on their commute to work.
Catching a train might seem like the easiest thing in the world to do, but not everyone gets public transport etiquette right.
Here is a handy guide that can be used from Melbourne and Sydney to Brisbane or Perth, so you know how to be a considerate train passenger in Australia.
1. No phone calls
Phonecalls are an absolute no. If someone calls you, tell them that you are on the train and you will ring them back when you disembark. You could also text or email them. If it is urgent, keep it quiet and quick.
If it is a face-to-face chat, keep the volume low so as not to disturb others.
You might think your story about how your boss Heather refuses to sign off on your requested six weeks leave so you can go on the Camino de Santiago is riveting, but no else does.
2. Headphones are a must
Elton John’s greatest hits might get you in the mood for work, but not everyone is a fan.
If you want to listen to music, the radio or those sounds Candy Crush makes as you reach level 179, put on headphones. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Also, even with headphones on, music should be played at a volume that is not audible to others.
3. Seats are not for feet
This is self-explanatory. If you don’t put your feet on the furniture at home, why would you think it’s OK to do it elsewhere? Keep your feet on the floor where they belong.
4. Don’t manspread
It refers to when men sit on public transport with their legs wide open (in a V) and women (or other men) have little to no room to sit alongside them as they typically take up two seats.
Manspreading or man-sitting annoys train passengers all over the world.
“Dude … Stop the Spread, Please,” is plastered all over New York City’s subway, while 34.5 percent of respondents to a recent survey on inconsiderate train behaviour in Japan said they get “frustrated” with manspreaders.
5. Always move for passengers who need a seat more than you do
If you are sitting in a priority seat or a wheelchair accessible area, vacate it immediately for someone who has a disability, is elderly, pregnant or carrying young children.
Don’t wait for someone else to do it.
6. Do not consume food or drinks
Carriages are compact with little ventilation, and some foods smell. Don’t make a passenger’s journey worse than it has to be by devouring your leftover salmon sushi.
Water or a coffee is fine. A biscuit or a breakfast-type bar are OK too.
7. Never leave your rubbish on the train
Always take your rubbish with you when you disembark and put it into a nearby bin. That also includes gum.
8. On an empty carriage, don’t sit right beside a stranger
It’s weird and it makes people uncomfortable.
If the train is full and you need to take a seat beside someone, former royal butler to Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry, Grant William Veitch Harrold, believes that you should always ask first, even if you booked that seat.
Mr Harrold, who is an etiquette expert giving lessons in the UK, writes: “I have noted that nobody ever asks if they may sit next to somebody regardless of if they have a seat booked or not. Out of common politeness before you invade someone else’s space, it is a common courtesy to ask if you may sit next to that person, and again out of politeness they should be more than happy to allow this.”
9. Do not use spare seats for your bag
Bags should be placed on your knee or under the seat, not on the seat, to allow room for others to sit down. Make sure they are also kept out of walkways and away from train doors so no one trips and falls.
Mr Harrold says: “It amazes me when boarding a train that others commuting put bags or laptops on the chair next to them to try and claim two chairs. This is just plain rude and I do not encourage this at all.”
Although this advice may be a little outdated in some circles, Mr Harrold also adds: “May I remind all true gentlemen to help ladies put items in the storage areas where appropriate.”
Well, it’s what he would have told the princes.
10. When boarding, stand aside to let customers disembark first
If you stand to the side, people can get off quicker and therefore you get on quicker. Never, ever push or barge.
Also, when it’s rush hour or just really busy, allow more customers to board the train by moving down the walkway inside the carriage. Don’t clog the doorways.
To find a seat and to help create more space for other passengers, you could also move along the platform and board the first or last carriages on the train to alleviate congestion on the middle carriages.
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