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Public transport etiquette: are we losing our manners on trains and buses?

Etiquette expert Zarife Hardy says phone use is 'hugely rude' as people treat shared spaces like lounge rooms

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Sources2 outlets
A new how-to column in Good Weekend magazine tackles the challenge of asking fellow passengers to be quiet on public transport, as etiquette experts warn that manners are declining in an age of personal devices. The column, published in the Sydney Morning Herald and Brisbane Times, quotes Zarife Hardy, founder of the Australian School of Etiquette, who says people are treating public spaces as an extension of their own lounge rooms.

The article, part of a weekly series on navigating modern life's challenges, addresses a common commuter grievance: fellow passengers playing phone conversations and videos on speaker. Hardy describes the behaviour as "hugely rude".

"People are now treating public spaces like their own lounge rooms," Hardy said. She defines etiquette as "a set of standards and rules that we should follow in society, in life, in business, to make our days nicer and our relationships better."

Hardy believes manners are declining as people live faster lives hooked up to personal devices. "We've turned into a society of, 'It's all about me,'" she said. "We've got to come back to 'It's about everybody.'"

The column offers advice on how to politely ask someone to lower their volume, reflecting a broader concern about shared public conduct in Australia's cities.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Public transport is a shared space used by millions daily; declining manners reduce comfort and can increase tension among passengers.
  • The issue highlights a broader societal shift toward individualism, amplified by personal technology.
  • As remote work and personal devices blur boundaries between private and public life, the etiquette of shared spaces becomes a recurring urban challenge.

Background

Etiquette on public transport has long been a topic of discussion, but the rise of smartphones has introduced new friction points. Playing audio out loud, taking calls on speaker, and watching videos without headphones are common complaints among commuters in Australian cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. While some transit authorities have encouraged quiet carriage policies or courtesy campaigns, enforcement is rare and relies primarily on peer pressure.

Key Perspectives

Commuters: Many passengers report frustration with loud phone use and wish for more considerate behaviour, though they often feel reluctant to speak up. Etiquette experts: Figures like Zarife Hardy argue that basic courtesy makes shared spaces more pleasant and that individuals have a responsibility to consider others. Transit authorities: While not quoted in the article, agencies typically rely on voluntary compliance and occasional signage rather than active enforcement of noise rules.

What to Watch

  • Whether transport authorities introduce clearer rules or designated quiet carriages in response to ongoing complaints.
  • Public discourse around "digital etiquette" and whether social norms adapt to reduce speakerphone use.
  • Potential for viral social media campaigns or app-based reporting tools to shame or discourage loud behaviour on public transport.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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