Underground Etiquette
 

I was on the Underground last night, a touch drunk and not really caring so hummed away to myself not really paying attention. This meant I needed to catch the underground back to work this morning, and I'm not sure of the etiquette.

First, what's the rules on humming, whistling and tapping you feet in a happy manner, cus from what I could see I was the only person who seemed to be in anyway happy about anything.

Eye line, I also seemed to be the only person looking about and not looking at the floor. Is eye contact forbidden or something, as its a bit hard when your that packed in.

Speaking to people, is it wrong to talk to someone jammed next to you who you've never seen before and probably never will. Its just a lass I was stood next to had a rather interesting tattoo on the back of her neck that I couldn't quiet see. I was going to ask her about it, but refrained, which was difficult cus I was just so intrigued (or just nosey).

And is there anything else I should know... as I just don't seem to get it, I want to say hi to people and they look at me odd now even when I don't just cus I'm smiling. Is all this wrong, or is it just everyone else is wrong?

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

Only been to London twice, and as far as I can figure they're all miserable buggers.

Then again, I'd be depressed paying that amount for a pint.

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

they're just all like that in london.

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Do all of that stuff !!!

If you do it then maybe someone else will do it and so on and so on and make the Underground a fun place.

Always ask people about tats :)

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

Having spent 6 months commuting within London, I too was like you to begin with, full of intrigue, questions and smiles......I used to commute with a guy I worked with who was full time in the London office, at the start I asked all the same questions as you.....

His response......

Listen, mate, we there are a number of reasons no one talks in the morning.....

1. Its early, Londoners don't finish work generally till late so most of these donkeys are still asleep.
2. This is the most important, the chance is, if you ask someone, they won't speak English anyway.
3. When in your car / bike do you like the bit of quiet time before work? I replied "Yes" he said, well this is their quiet time......so shush.

My response was well you all miserable f**kers aren't you? He simply replied, yup, been living here all my life and the mornings are like tubes full of dead people.

I found after a couple of months I would just get on the tube, look at my mate and grunt good morning then not say a word, but as soon as out of the tube station we would happily chat away......just one of those things. Plus, on my morning run was going on the Northern line to the city......all you get to see is either some ladies scalp or a blokes arm pit due to the fact you can't move.

Anyway, nough ranting from me......if I was you, continue to smile and chat, they will just class you as special anyhow.

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

fixed

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

I doubt if there's much to be happy about when you have to travel on public transport every day especially in London, you just end up wallowing in a pit of self-despair, cursing all those who persist in rubbing their gaiety in your face..... :p

This is why earphones are a blessing ;)

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

I used to play games with the people on the tube.
If someone was reading a book or magazine I would purposefully and obviously lean over and start reading it too.
Some people would wait for me to stop leaning over to indicate I was finished reading the page before they turned over.
Some people just shut their book and stopped reading altogether.
And a few started to lean away and turn towards me so that I could only read the cover of the book. These were the funniest because I would lean even more around to carry on reading and they would lean even further away. Got themselves into some right odd positions.

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

i hate london and all the miserable gits in it. they certainly do not appreciate peanut butter jelly time. when i took a school group there over the summer i was told by one of the underground staff to stop dancing on the platform. philistines.

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

LOL at Mr Speirs, the world of public transport needs more people like you haha...(as long as it's not me reading the book ;))

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Anyone ever tried tube surfing????
Stand in the middle of the train and don't hold on. The fuller the train the better.

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

This was me this morning.. but I looked more cheerful
http://imagecache2.allposters.com/im...ad-Posters.jpg

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

Yeah its great fun. When you are rammed in and cant hold on. Brakes go on and everyone just leans. comedy genius. Seen someone stack it once over their suitcase. PMSL.

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It's mandatory to look like someone has just told you your dog has died and under no circumstances should you make eye contact with anyone, never mind smile at them.

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they wont get it down in that there london. They genuinely are miserable basts. You should do a northern tour - Peanut butter jelly time @ Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Newscastle and maybe Edinburgh? Instant sellout :)

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During my year of central line commuting I went from jolly to reading books to mp3's to sleeping....

Never again

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Well I keep my tube time to a minimum... I looked back and I've managed 4 round journeys this year.

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The tube is awful. Had to go on it from Euston to Canary Wharf at rush hour a few months ago. Had to wait for 7 trains to go through the station before I managed to get on one. How people do that day in day out is unbelievable! Some nice ladies on there though, much better than my usual 10 min walk to work ;)

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

Last time I was in that London, I accidentally bumped into someone on the tube platform. As you do, I politely said "Oh, sorry mate". He looked at me like I had two heads.

I take it apologies aren't the done thing?

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

No. From what I hear once you have bumped into someone you then have to shout '****ing look where your going' Then punch them in the face. I think that is the done thing nowadays.

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

whatever they are doing - do the opposite - but then again i do my best to make them feel awkward. I was normally central/northern line
and tube surfing is great.
be as happy as you can and say morning to everyone.

its great fun to see them squirm.

don't apologise they don't understand manners. they are raised to be ignorant and aloof. let alone actuallu help anyone if they are lost or distressed!

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

I never wait for another tube, I just take a run up and do a 'piley in'. :D

I love everyone giving me daggers for daring to invade their personal space, but if they think I'm standing around on a platform for the next train, they're having a laugh! Besides, I love the impromptu contact :smt055 and if anyone mouths off at me, I give them a mouthful back in my most aggressive scouse accent [Soulkiss] at which point they hide their wallets/purses/high value items [/Soulkiss]

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

I understand this post totally :lol:

Many a time i've caught the tube/train home after a jolly at work. Always to evil stares and glares and general moodyness.

However, being drunk, i tend to tell those people to stop being so moody, try smiling once in a while, along with various other "moody" sarcastic jokes, somehow without getting offensive.

"your just all moody as hell you lot arn't you really. Damn im glad i don't look that unhappy and miserable"

:lol:

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

Typical ignorent arrogent self involved nasty london commuter then....?

I know, standing on a train platform for a train, MADNESS I TELL THEE.

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

Everyone started happy once you know. Then after days, not even weeks on the Tube, it gets sapped out of you, and you become a miserable tube user...it even got to Verna after 2 journeys!!
Monday Verna: I like to tube its exciting
Monday Ian: Give it a couple of days
Wednesday Verna: I fu**ing hate the tube, its smelly, full of people....

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

Stab them..:smt027

thats the done thing in London these days.. :smt102

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

Bugger...where is the 'sarcastic smiley'?

;)

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Why this???? :P

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;)

'Cos you're always slagging off those from Libpool

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Why else are there scoussers?

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Maybe I should start travelling the tube in my bike gear and a tinted visor.

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Every time I've been on the tube everyone's looked really depressed.

Only time it was fun was after a gig at Wembley and all the concert-goers were shepharded onto the underground drunk and it was proper packed.

Didn't know them but had a good laugh singing and chatting b*****ks

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Well the Stig did it......

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Yep, but as Clarkson mentioned, he'd probably be mistaken for a Brazilian electrician...

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Maybe we could all meet up and take the tube one day... while carrying a tape playing bike noises.

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

Awesome!!! It would be like a rideout but on the tube. We can all get our knee down in the bends. Kerri will be pillion so I'll volunteer for TEC. Although I may have to move to the next carriage as the first 2 doors won't open.

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

I would just like to say that last night I was mashed...

So I talked to people, acted like a fool, and waved them good bye when they left. They even waves back, had a chuckle at my expense and probably thought "look at that mashed fool".

This morning though was a different story, I was too rough to be happy about anything and slept most of the way... Wonder if I snored?

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

faaaakin lundon init..

cant stand the tube... shame my next job will probabaly need me to visit on several occasions... say twice a month...

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

PMSL :smt044 Now that would be hilarious..!

I use the tube regularly and this thread is really true. The tube seems to be the only place where people allow their personal space to be "violated". where else would complete strangers be packed like sardines..!

Re: Underground Etiquette
 

funny, everybody in London is as ignorant about the north as most northerners are ignorant about London. Although it tends to be the latter who are more self righteous.