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?

[yorkie_chris]

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.

[Paul the 6th]

they're just all like that in london.

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by Grinch

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?

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

[Drew Carey]

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.

[timwilky]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

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 FLAT pint of nat p155.

fixed

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.....

This is why earphones are a blessing

[Mr Speirs]

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.

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.

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 )