A lively exchange between generations has erupted over commuting etiquette, with Gen Z and Boomers clashing on everything from makeup application to TikTok usage. Nearly 70 per cent of Gen Z women consider it perfectly acceptable to apply cosmetics on public transport, with one telling MyLondon it is ‘worth the awkwardness for a lie-in’. However, Boomers argue that this practice is risky, as a sudden jolt could cause injury with a mascara wand. When a Boomer suggests that fellow passengers might be inconvenienced by face-powder residue, a Gen Z retorts that they can simply move seats if they have an issue.
Commuting Pet Peeves
A Tombola poll has revealed that over half of travellers experience a ‘peeve’ at least once a week. Boomers are particularly irritated by passengers playing music or videos with the sound up, with 39 per cent citing this as a major annoyance. Gen Z defends short TikTok videos as harmless entertainment, but The Guardian describes the cumulative effect as an ‘ambient hell’ of four-second clips. Voice notes also draw criticism, with Boomers lamenting the constant chatter, while Gen Z argues that multitasking on the go is efficient.
Food and Etiquette
Fourteen per cent of commuters find pungent food a significant peeve. Etiquette expert William Hanson advises that nothing ‘bigger or more potent than a breath mint’ should be eaten on public transport. Yet Gen Z has embraced viral trends, such as eating reduced-price mackerel with bare hands or enjoying curry and rice from an actual plate on the Jubilee Line. A 20-year-old told The Standard: ‘If you’re hungry, you’re hungry,’ reflecting a relaxed attitude that Boomers find revolting.
Rucksacks and Seats
Bulky rucksacks are another source of tension. Boomers complain of being bashed by commuters resembling ‘obese tortoises’, while Gen Z defends the need to carry large items like 1.5-litre Stanley cups. Hanson labels those who wear backpacks traditionally in rush hour as ‘pillocks of the highest order’. Additionally, 29 per cent of commuters are irked by feet on seats, and 34 per cent dislike uncovered sneezes. Gen Z dismisses these concerns as biological inevitabilities, while Boomers call for basic courtesy.
Ultimately, the debate highlights a generational divide in commuting norms, with each side defending their habits and criticising the other. As one Boomer quips: ‘Mind the age gap.’
