For many, the subway can be chaotic. It's often filled to the brim with people, many of whom may be running late to where they're going. Therefore, knowing the proper etiquette for the subway is essential, to ensure a safe and comfortable ride for everyone onboard.
Steps
Entering and Exiting the Subway
- Wait for all departing passengers to get off before you board. There will most definitely still be room for you, even if you need to wait. Simply stand off to the side until everyone getting off at your stop has left the train.
- Be mindful of your backpack if you have one. When you're boarding the subway, if you're wearing a backpack, try to be mindful when you're walking, so that you don't accidentally whack anyone.
- In most cases, it's best to take your backpack off before you board the subway and hold it if it's not too heavy.
- Avoid running to catch the subway if the doors are closing. Unlike elevator doors, subway doors do not sense if something is trying to stop it from closing. Therefore, you could find yourself, a part of your body, or one of your things stuck, and you could even break down the train. [1]
- Walk all the way in the car when you are entering. This will allow other passengers to be able to board.
- Avoid running off of the subway once it arrives at your stop. You will be able to get off, and there may be people who did not follow proper etiquette and are standing right in front of the subway door, and you'll likely run into them.
General Etiquette Tips
- Try and limit you and your belongings to just one seat. The subway is likely already crowded as it is, so moving your stuff away to free up the seat next to you could make one passenger very happy.
- Physical altercations have occurred in the past if people did not move their stuff or their feet from a seat. [2]
- Talk quietly to others. The subway can sometimes be very crowded, and others may not want to hear your entire conversation, whether that's with someone next to you or on your phone.
- In the same vain, if the conversation is gross, save it for after the subway.
- If your seat mate appears like they do not want to be bothered, then do not try too hard to initiate conversation with them.
- Keep your music volume down. It's perfectly fine if you want to listen to music, but especially if it's particularly explicit, either keep the volume low or use earbuds.
- Try and aim for odorless foods if you're hungry. As stated earlier, the subway can sometimes be very crowded, and as a result of that, there is likely the stench of body odor floating around. Adding to that with your egg salad sandwich is likely to make some passengers angry.[3]
- Generally, it's best not to eat on the subway if you don't have to, especially during peak times.
- Throw out your trash at your stop. Do not throw it on the floor, you'll only be inconveniencing the person who'll eventually have to pick it up.
- Offer up your seat if you notice someone who may need it. Generally, this is anyone who is pregnant, elderly, visibly disabled, or carrying a large amount of bags. [4]
- They may politely decline, but at least you've offered.
- Avoid blocking the doors. Blocking the doors can prevent people from being able to squeeze on the subway at a stop, and they may be running late and really need to get somewhere.
Tips
- If you happen to notice someone with a lot of baggage, and they're struggling to get in the car, offer to help them. They'll likely appreciate you at least offering.
- While it's best not to bring loud music on to the subway, if you know you'll be on it for several stops, a nice thing to have is a book. Just make sure you keep track of the stops, so you'll know when you need to get off!
- If you happen to be struggling with baggage, and someone helps you, be sure to offer them a polite “thank you”. It just may end up making their day!
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