Etiquette expert William Hanson has shared his top tips for navigating the London Underground, from eating to listening to podcasts and how to subtly signal your discomfort around the inebriated passenger
Etiquette expert William Hanson has shared his top tips for navigating the London Underground, from eating to listening to podcasts and how to subtly signal your discomfort around someone drunk. Mr Hanson, an etiquette coach, provided a list of dos and don’ts – and some absolute no-nos – that will help you complete your journey in the most polite way possible.
Speaking to The Telegraph, he outlined seven key factors to consider if you want to travel with good manners, starting with something fairly obvious – follow the bloody signs. Especially, Mr Hanson emphasises, the sign that reads ‘stand on the right, walk on the left’, as this is, frankly, maddening when ignored.
You can check out what happened when we broke all the unspoken Tube rules here, and what we reckon is the worst instance of manners during your commute.
Mr Hanson continues to discuss who you should converse with – only people you know, apparently, which feels very typical of London anyway, but ensure you’re not having a loud or brash conversation when you’re packed in like sardines.
On the subject of strangers, eye contact should be limited to the most British situation imaginable. That is, a glance can be exchanged in the event of ‘minor drama’, such as a particularly drunk passenger or a dispute.
Moving onto classic Tube annoyances. Don’t eat anything pungent, at all, ever, but if you must eat, try to keep it small and tidy.
If you’re listening to something, use headphones. The carriage doesn’t need to know about your taste in podcasts.
If you’ve ever been late for work, you’ll understand this – don’t hold the doors open for your friends who are trailing behind. Stick with them and catch the next train. Holding up the train is genuinely annoying and selfish.
Backpacks should be held in front of you, not on your back, and empty seats are not meant to be filled with your belongings. They’re intended for passengers, not items.
Finally, a quick tip on smoothly navigating through the ticket barriers. Mr Hanson suggests that commuters – or tourists really, let’s be honest – need to wait until the LED turns orange before tapping their Oyster card.
If you don’t, you’ll cause a delay for everyone else.
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