Nigel Doran

When on the Tube, please let people off before you get on, and please always move right down inside the carriage. You would be surprised how many people do not do so, perhaps fearful that they will never manage to make it the four or five feet from the centre of the train to the doors once it arrives at their station. This means more people cannot get on the train, which is no fun for them. <BR>I appreciate that many visitors are not used to transit systems like the Tube, but common sense and manners should be sufficient to overcome such lack of knowledge. <BR>If you do these things, as well as always standing on the right of the escalators to allow other people to walk or run down the left side (a system I have never seen work elsewhere in the world so efficiently), then you will be universally loved. Honest.

Kimberley

I have to laugh when I see your mention of the escalator system (stand on the right, walk on the left). My boyfriend was profoundly impressed by your system and wondered (repeatedly) aloud why we can't quite seem to make it work in the US! It is a really good plan. KK

ilisa

Excellent tips, Nigel. They can also apply to virtually any public transportation around the world. I use the metro every day to go to Washington, DC, and can tell you that what should be simple common sense is completely lost on so many people. I would also add that it is important to get on the train as quickly as possible, and don't stroll on like you are taking a walk in the park while trying to decide what seat to sit in. There are people behind you trying to get on! We, too, employ the same stand to the right, walk to the left system on the metro system. However, it is not as efficient as in London, because I often walk up the escalator and find myself staring at a very large, spandex-clad, rear-end.

Brian in Atlanta

It's worse here in Atlanta. People do not stand to the right on escalators because they can't imagine why someone would want to walk when they can just sit there and move effortlessly. Even on the down escalators! Lazy, lazy, lazy!

Tammy

Nigel, great advice. I thought the London system was so efficient. It drives me crazy when on a moving sidewalk or escalator and people stand to the left, even when there is an overhead annnoucement stating, "For those of you wishing to stand, please stay to the right so that other may pass."

How to win friends

Although this is the Europe forum, those of you who also may travel to New York, please please please follow Nigel's instructions to the letter (at least at rush hour). We do manage to get the stand right, walk left thing down but every now and then someone fouls it up, and more often than not it's an innocent wide-eyed tourist. One time I saw three women get on the escalator, and while the two younger ones stood to the right, the elderly one (probably their mother) stood on the left hand side until the younger two looked around, got a clue, and pulled her over in embarrassment, saying, "You're making us look like country bumpkins!"

gerg

Nigel, <BR>I do see your point. However, what you refer as "common sense and manners", while true in London is not necessarily common elsewhere. So while "London common sense and manners" have similar counterparts in "New York common sense and manners" and "Phoenix common sense and manners," there are not the same. <BR> <BR>In the US, the high traffic volume subways and trains exist only in few large cities. For the rest, bus is about the only public transit there is. The volume of people entering and exiting buses are so small not to make stepping aside to make a large corridor a "common sense." <BR> <BR>Of course, if you have been on Tokyo subways and trains, then what you are saying is beyond common sense and manners, if you don't do them, you get blown away by a torrent of passengers getting off the train. It becomes a survival instinct.

Lori

Actually it is wise to avoid the Tube (or any public transportation and/or freeway) in any country/city during rush your if you can!! (Notice I said if you can, sometimes it is unavoidable). Thanks for reminding folks Nigel, we've noticed the things you have mentioned as well on trips to London. Another thing to be careful about doing is coming to a dead stop at the top of an escalater (again, no matter what city/country/store/transit system) unless you want the people behind you to come right on over the top of you! We see this all the time (everywhere actually, even the local mall) and I can understand if you are not familiar with where you are you want to "get your bearings", but move to the side and look around and out of the path of those that know where they are going and need to be there (i.e. to work). <BR> <BR>Something we've been doing on numerous trips to London and Paris while using the Tube/Metro is when we get off the train we step over to the wall and wait for all the passengers to go on ahead, thus allowing those in a rush to do so - we follow up in the rear at a more slower pace since we are on vacation and don't want to interfere with those that are not -- it works real well!!!

elvira

Excellent advice; and may I add to Nigel's excellent help: <BR>1) Ditto on getting onto buses, trams and trolleys. Let others off; get on quickly and move to the back or sit down immediately. <BR>2) As you get off an escalator or people-mover, don't stop! Walk away and step to the side. There's nothing more unnerving than to be behind a couple of people who decide the foot of the escalator is where they'll rearrange their shopping bags or look at a map. <BR>3) Follow the same rule when exiting a revolving door. <BR>4) When you get OFF any of the aforementioned modes of transportation, move out of the traffic pattern to collect yourself. When the Loons get off a Metro or Underground car, we head for the wall - we can count noses without impeding traffic, and wait for everyone without being in the way. It took us a couple of banged knees and rude stares before we caught on.

Brian in Atlanta

How about those people who stop right outside of the gateway after arriving on a flight to hug and chat with their greeters, preventing anyone else from getting by. Those people in row 46 who've been trying to get of the plane for 20 mintes certainly appreciate that!

elvira

Personally, I think that's why guns aren't allowed on planes...