Sunday, January 20, 2008

Open Sesame

Question: What is the proper etiquette for entering the subway train? Answer: Stand to the side and let the passengers exit first -- similar to entering an elevator.

So what etiquette faux pas annoys you most?

17 comments:

Kate said...

Budging in line annoys the hell out of me! Your photo is such a typical NY scene, and you captured it so well! Have a good Sunday; watching any football by any chance? asks Kate who grew up in Green Bay?! Got my fingers crossed.

Anonymous said...

Well, that might work in New York City, but when I was in Japan, the people fell out when the doors opened and once you got past them, then it was like filling a cup cake with a jar of peanut butter. They had people who shoved and shoved and shoved until the doors would shut. It wasn't pretty.

NormanTheDoxie said...

I travel the subways every day and concluded that very few passengers practice subway etiquette. The worst are those high school kids....they push, shove and shout and most have no manners.

Shammickite said...

At rush hour, it's every man (or woman!) for himself, no matter where you are in the world.

Oh for the love of food! said...

Hi Ming, I rarely take the subway train unless I'm on holiday somewhere, so I can't really say much about this, but I have a similar scenario at the butcher's ( what did you expect? I'm a foodie!) - ok here goes. Now, this happens to me all the time all the time. I go to the butchers on Saturday mornings and it's always really crowded. They have a 'take a number' system, so I take a number and wait my turn to be served. 15 people or so later, I'm up next or so I think when a senior citizen pushes in front of me when my number is called, all smiles, pretending he/she doesn't know there's a number system and proceeds to start putting in an order. My jaw drops to the floor, always in disbelieve as I check in the wall to wall mirror to see if there's a sign on my forehead that says 'push-over'. Arrggghhhhh!!!

thwany said...

it really pisses me off when a group of about 4-5 friends walk down the sidewalk while standing next to each other. how the hell are other ppl supposed to get by??

marley said...

It doesn't look too busy on that subway. I can't stand it when people are rude to shop workers when they are polite and helpful to them.

Shammickite said...

Hey Ming, I had a laugh about the freckles! I have then too, by the millions, and when I go south for a vacation I turn into one HUGE freckle!

Todd HellsKitchen said...

I hate when Americans (especially) don't stand to the right on an escalator so walkers can pass them on the left...

Clueless in Boston said...

I agree with thwany about groups of people walking side-by-side down the sidewalk and expecting you to move for them.

alice said...

I'm always pleased when the door doesn't come right in my face when someone is coming out...But don't dream too much.

Bel said...

People pushing in line (poor Carol!) and snooty customers who are rude to retail/restaurant etc staff. There's just no need for it.

TCho said...

Lots of things on the subway, especially people who will not freaking move to the middle of the train.

Outside of subways, a lot of disregard for cell phone etiquette really irritates me. I hope we never get cell phone service down in the subway. that would be my nightmare.

Anonymous said...

My peeve is when commuters exit/enter through the wrong doors and expect YOU to move. It's exit right, enter right. Unlike our motto Stand Right, Walk Left for elevators. Then I discovered something that helped me get over my irritation. Those who tend to enter on left and exit on left are from countries where they also DRIVE on the left. Is that true?

Anonymous said...

The TTC motto is Stand Right, Walk Left for ESCALATORS, not elevators.

• Eliane • said...

Oh, etiquette lessons! I love it!!!! :))
Don't laugh but I have subscribed to Mr Manner's Quick and Dirty Tricks for a More Polite Life podcast. What? It's fun! And interesting. I now know the poper way to regift gifts.

I think one of the things that bothers me the most is people spitting. That is something I had never seen before moving to the US. It is rude, despicable, unsanitary and so unbelievably gross. And somehow it seems to be something some people do to be "cool" here. I personally think there should be a serious fine for this.

Sally said...

Can't stand people who decide to conduct their social life - plonk - right in the middle of a doorway!

Or who stand arounf talkign to someone in a lift - holding the door open as they do, on a floor above or below you as you wait....wait....wait.