'He let his vomit travel down the bus': The worst behaviour we've seen on public transport - and the unspoken etiquette everyone should follow

Public transport always showcases a microcosm of society, bringing with it people you may not have ever met before. 

Soon enough, you'll find out we all have our own idea of what is socially acceptable. 

The nine.com.au team is no stranger to public transport, and has shared some of the unusual, annoying, and sometimes downright disgusting behaviours they have encountered, with etiquette expert Zarife Hardy from the Australian School of Etiquette sharing what should be done in each situation. 

Listening to something out loud at full volume

"If you forgot your headphones: bad luck," one staffer declared.

"You do not get to scroll TikTok and Instagram at full volume. You don't get to listen to music. You don't get to take a loudspeaker phone call. You sit in a frustrated silence and think about remembering your important belongings next time. 

"If I so much as hear someone playing music out loud or scrolling Tik Tok on a train near me, I'm immediately mad." 

This was a familiar gripe amongst our team, with Hardy suggesting, "In public transport settings, playing music or watching social media videos out loud is considered rude and poor etiquette. 

"Remember, it isn't your lounge room. Always use headphones when listening to music or watching videos on public transport. Keep your volume low enough that others cannot hear it anything at any time."

Not having awareness of personal belongings blocking space

Another huge gripe shared among our team was that of people not being aware of their belongings, limiting the already-limited space we have to sit or stand on public transportation.

One staffer had a problem with "people who spread out and put their stuff on the seat next to them and don't have the awareness to move it off and make room when the bus/train gets busy."

"I once plonked down on a guy's jumper when he did this, and the look of horror he gave me will fuel me forevermore," she shared satisfactorily.

Another added, "If you bring a bicycle onto the train, you should be immediately fined $200. You have a means of transportation … especially at peak times when it's crowded. Get off the train!"

"It is rude to place bags, backpacks, or other belongings across seats in a way that prevents other people from sitting there," Hardy affirms.

"Seats are for passengers to sit on. Place your bags on your lap or at your feet and move any baggage straight away when the train becomes busy. Always be aware of the space you are taking up."

Not giving seats to more vulnerable members of society

Another public transport pet peeve we have is, in the words of one nine.com.au staffer, "when people don't stand up for elderly people and just sit and stare at their phones while someone is literally struggling to balance".

"It should be universally known that if you are sitting, even if you're not in a priority seat, you should give up your seat for anyone elderly or injured who might struggle to stand in a moving vehicle," one team member raged.

"Too many times I've stood and watched everyone pretend not to see someone struggling just so they don't have to give up their seat on a 10-minute journey. Infuriates me to the point I have been a Karen and suggested to the people sitting that someone offer their seat." 

Another added, "Nothing bothers me more than when high school kids are taking up half a carriage of seats while others (especially elderly people or pregnant women) are standing up. My school would hand out detentions to kids if they got caught doing this on the way to school or on the way home."  

Hardy added, "It is generally considered rude not to offer your seat to someone who is elderly, pregnant, injured, or living with a disability, especially if seating is limited. It is part of basic public courtesy and shows respect. 

"It's also important to remember that not all disabilities are visible, try to avoid harsh assumptions about people. If in doubt give them your seat." 

People being sick on public transport

Although it is an unfortunate situation to have to travel while being ill, there are admittedly some steps that can be taken to minimise its effect on others.

"I hate everyone that is sick on public transport, if I can I will move seats if someone near me is coughing or blowing their nose on the train," one staffer shared.

"I have seen two people throw up on public transport … one guy just let his vomit travel down the bus, and a few weeks ago a lady near me on the train threw up in her bag on a packed train before getting off.

"Not covering sneezes or coughs on a train is unhygienic and selfish as it affects the comfort and health of people in a shared, enclosed space," says Hardy.

"Always cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing and preferably turn away from people, sanitise hands after and be very mindful when in crowded environments."

People not letting passengers disembark first

"I hate when people cut in front of you (shove past you) as soon as the doors open, knowing full well you were standing there long before they arrived and should be allowed to get on before them," one nine.com.au staffer said.

Another added that they often start "forming a ring around the door to stop people exiting easily."  

"It is considered rude and poor public transport etiquette to push onto a train before passengers have had a chance to get off," Hardy confirms. 

"Always stand to the side of the doors while the train stops, allow passengers to completely exit first, then board the train in a considerate manner. This keeps the passenger flow smooth and safer."

When people stay seated even, when you ask them to move so you can disembark

One of our staff members hates, as she puts it, "when people don't get ready to get off when the train is approaching the station and then are still getting off when people have started getting on."

"The same goes for people who give me a weird look and say 'I'm getting off too' and keep sitting just before [the stop] when I say, 'Excuse me'... get yourself ready to go so we don't have the previously mentioned problem!!

"If someone's stop is approaching, good etiquette is to start moving toward the doors in advance (when practical), make space for others to pass and always avoid blocking aisles or doorways," said Hardy.

"When getting close to your stop, start preparing for your exit."

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