Subway Etiquette

The subway is a haven for people from all walks of life. It's one place you can find people of all nationalities and social classes put their differences aside for that short ride. It is a fast paced melting pot and it is important to recognize the faux pas of subway commuting or in some instances, common life. Every major city has a subway system and the more I talk to people from around the world the more I notice the common annoyances we all face from this lovely system. We are all guilty of come sort of poor judgment on the subway; even I have shoved my way through people in order to make a meeting on time. I have been an observer of many ill-mannered commuters so I'm making it my job to be the Emily Post of public transportation based off of my experiences. You may think you are traveling to work everyday without disturbing anyone but maybe it's time to take your eyes away from your CrackBerries and read along.

-       Don't eat an omlette on the train

-       Don't play your iPod so loud other people can hear it or play it from your cell phone

-       Help out mentally disabled people around you and not just walk by them

-       Give up your seat to an elderly, pregnant or injured person.

-       If the conductor comes on the loud speaker with news of a delay don't yell into the speaker as if they can actually hear you

-       Let people off the train before you get on

-       Don't put your coffee on the floor to spill over everyone's bags

-       Don't put your bag on the seat next to you

-       Swinging from the poles on the train is just as annoying as you think it's fun

-       Don't get in a fight with your significant other on your cell phone

-       Don't gossip on your cell phone

-       As much as you may be proud of it, don't pull out your machete, or any weapon for that matter, on the train

-       Sneeze into your elbow

-       Refrain from buying your meat and fish supply for the week from Chinatown and carrying it in plastic bags on the train

-       Try not to carry on your 4 foot plant from the farmers market on the train during rush hour

-       Keep mints and a mirror on hand in case you have a Red Line love encounter

-       Don't try to hit on someone if you're so drunk you can't even remember your own name.

-       It's perfectly fine to reach over people's heads to grab hold of the metal bar, just make sure you remembered to put deodorant on that day.

-       Don't join in on other people's conversations about politics or religion

-       Take your newspaper with you when you leave the train and not leave it on the seat for someone to get an ink print of Obama's face on their ass.

-       If the train is packed with people don't be ‘that guy' who tries to suck in their fat and squeeze their way just enough so the door closes.

-       Reading the back on someone's newspaper while you are sitting is fine; leaning over the person next to you to read their book is not.

-       And of course, smile and say your please and thank yous...even if you do want to club the person beside you in the face :)