A Sydney commuter has called out an inconsiderate act on trains that has unfortunately become increasingly commonplace – and it has struck a chord with fellow passengers.
'Take your backpack off!' one irate train traveller declared in a recent post shared to an online discussion forum. The passenger pointed out that it was not just school kids who were to blame, saying: 'Lots of adults take backpacks on public transport at peak hour. They leave them on their back, and as a result take up heaps more space. It makes it difficult to get past them, slows progress getting on and off the carriage, and when the carriage is full, I have got backpacks rubbing up against me.'
The passenger observed that the new Metro trains were 'the worst for this in my experience'. The rant concluded: 'Just take your damn bag off, you inconsiderate jerks!'
The heated post quickly drew plenty of replies from fellow fed-up Sydney commuters. 'OMG amen,' one responded. 'I almost got a black eye the other day from someone who had apparently stuffed their backpack with bricks before standing next to me.'
Several replied to the online discussion post, explaining that removing a bag from your back in busy train carriages reduces the chance of accidentally bumping someone. 'It is about consideration for others and making room in the limited space available, which ultimately makes it a more enjoyable trip for everyone,' another person explained. 'Take it off your back so you are not hitting everyone when the train, metro or bus jolts. Do not have main character energy.'
Another observed that it was 'just a lack of civic culture and consideration for others'. One person agreed that taking a backpack off your back and holding the bag to your side, in front or on the floor lessens the chance you might 'accidentally bump or hit anyone with it as you move around'.
This rising concern around public transport etiquette has even prompted a recent NSW Transport campaign, called 'The Creatures of Transport'. 'Public transport is for all of us. When we are kind and thoughtful, the ride is better for everyone,' explains the NSW Transport campaign website. One such 'creature' highlighted in the campaign is 'The Space Hog', referring to someone who bumps other passengers while wearing a backpack. Their campaign website reiterates: 'Public transport is for everyone. Being considerate is simple, but it makes a world of difference. Let us make every journey better by offering a seat, moving to make room, and being kind to others.'
The Reddit discussion also called out another despised inconsiderate bag act on public transport – when 'someone puts a bag on the seat next to them, and there are not many other seats free'. Other train passengers expressed frustration about backpacks occupying seats on busy trains. 'I make a point of asking them to move it so I can sit,' one person declared. 'I will sometimes put my bag on a seat if the train is pretty empty. But if there are a lot of people getting on, you need to be aware of your surroundings and make room for others,' another explained. Another simply said that if you are seated, 'the backpack simply goes on your lap. I do it and it is not hard.'
However, a few replies explained why they dislike taking their bag off their back and putting it on the floor. 'Make sure to wash your bag regularly if it touches the floor. You do not want to know how many different people's fluids go there – especially on a Friday night,' they said. But several people chimed in on this particular point saying there are alternatives. 'I do not think one necessarily has to put [the backpack] on the floor – I normally either twist it and carry it on the front, hanging from one arm, or carry it with both hands.' 'You can take your backpack off and hold it near your legs, it does not need to go on the floor,' another suggested.
Sydney commuters have also recently shared their frustration about the perceived decline in common-sense etiquette when boarding and alighting trains. Discussions about poor etiquette practices on Sydney trains echo another recent online debate about passengers increasingly not waiting for others to alight before boarding. 'Do people in Sydney not understand that you have to WAIT for people to disembark before you try to ram yourself onto the train?' one person vented in a recent post. This tirade resonated with hundreds of fellow Sydney commuters, many of whom agreed they too had noticed a decline in what used to be common-sense etiquette when boarding and alighting. 'Thank god someone else said it,' read one reply.
Some felt this behaviour on Sydney trains had become increasingly prevalent in recent years. 'It is disgusting, I can tell you that much. Everyone has lost all common sense and awareness, it is unbelievable! I pretty much experience it daily,' one person observed. This inconsiderate behaviour was also addressed in the NSW Transport etiquette campaign, which called out 'The Blocker', referring to someone who 'stands near the doorway and will not move, making it hard for others to get on and off.' Another travel tip suggested by NSW Transport is to always 'allow people to board and exit without obstruction'.
Etiquette expert Jo Hayes told Daily Mail that 'Australians definitely need to swot up on basic public transport etiquette.' She deemed 'failing to wait for commuters to disembark' a 'disrespectful and inconsiderate behaviour'. 'It makes the whole process unpleasant, not to mention impractical,' Jo added. 'It simply makes sense from a smooth process perspective to wait back or step back, let commuters disembark, then proceed to board the train.'
