How to Be Considerate on Public Transport
Consideration, it's what brings a smile to our faces when we feel low, or what makes us giggle when we're feeling inadequate. It's a great feeling when someone is considerate enough to do a heart-warming action for you, but what if you...
Method 1 of 5:
Setting Music to a Decent Volume
- Play some music in your earphones/headphones to begin.
- Take your headphones/earbuds out. Hold them a small distance away from your ears. If you cannot hear anything, neither can the person adjacent or parallel to you; thus you are not bothering them and being a considerate person.
Method 2 of 5:
Talking on the Phone
- If the call is casual (i.e. a friend asking how you're doing), politely ask them to call back at a later time. They can wait until you're not in close proximity with others!
- If the call is urgent, speak in a soft tone.
- If you can, move seats. If there are seats free, of course, move from the rest of the people. If not, try speaking very quietly and directly into the microphone.
- Keep the conversation brief. Say things quickly and keep everything relevant. If the conversation becomes casual, ask them to call you back later politely.
Method 3 of 5:
Dealing with a Noisy Infant
- Try to keep them calm or sleeping. If available, supply them with a thought-provoking and safe object.
- Make sure all their needs are satisfied before travel. It's unwise to take a smelly and hungry baby who needs a new change of diapers onto public transport; it'll just make you, the people around you, and the baby miserable.
- If you're sitting on a bus, try to aim for the middle. There's a slight tilt at the back and front which may cause your baby to wake up fussy.
Method 4 of 5:
Dealing with Unpleasant Odors
- If you're a sweaty person, use anti-bacterial soap and antiperspirant deodorant. Sweat has no odor; it's the bacteria on your skin that's causing the smell. Trimming your armpits will help a lot, too.
- Upkeep hygiene. Hygiene is a basic thing in society, yet some people do not have this in their routine as a priority. Always leave time in your day to shower in the morning/night (or in the morning and night), brush your teeth in the morning and night for two minutes (time yourself if you need to), and optionally (but not a necessity), shave.
- Try not to eat smelly foods. Many smelly dishes are prone to be irritating to others. Some buses and trains even have policies against this.
Method 5 of 5:
Moving Out of the Way
- Be conscious of what you're standing in front of. If it's a door, you're inevitably going to be in someone's way and irritate someone. Move to the side if possible; if there's no space, try to accommodate for others and move slightly to the side in the little space you have.
- If the train cannot fit anymore people on; don't try to get on. Too many people on one train can cause injury and crashes. If it's possible, try to catch a later train. It'll be a relief for people who are already stuffed in a crowded train like a sardine in a tin.
- Do not stand when there are seats available. It wastes space, especially when people are going to board the train with luggage and etc.
- If you've got a buggy, try to keep out of aisles. If available, go into areas designated for prams/buggies/strollers, etc. or into the wheelchair area (as long as there are no people utilizing that area).
Update 24 March 2020
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