Subway Etiquette

I've had my share of subway experiences. Between New York, DC, Hong Kong, Rome, Beijing, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Taipei, and London, I definitely think Hong Kong's subway system is the cleanest and most efficient. You never have to wait more than 3 minutes at any given time for a train, there are screens at every train platform telling you when they are arriving and where they are going, you can put money on your Octopus card and use it for MTR rides and food, and if you have some extra time to kill, there are restaurants and shops underground on the way to the trains. The thing I love most about the HK MTR system though, is that I've never once been stuck en route because of "train traffic."



Nevertheless, some of the things I still see on the subway amaze me. Whether it's the subway, metro, MTR, MRT, or underground rail, there are just some rules that EVERYONE should follow:

1. Please let people out of the subway car. We hate to bother you while you're standing and doing absolutely nothing, but we have places to get to.

2. Please don't extend your feet out while sitting down. They will get stepped on.

3. If the subway car is pretty empty and there are plenty of seats available, please don't take the seat next to me.

4. Couples- we know you love each other. And we know you want to bask in your love as much as possible. But when holding hands while walking, please don't take up the entire walkway. We don't need to be reminded of your everlasting love every step of the way during our subway journey. Just move a little to the left, and everyone is happy.

5. We all know the subway gets crowded at times, and we may need to be in very close proximity of each other. But please keep your @$*& away from me at all times, or you will get kneed.

6. No, staring will not make me like you more.

7. Please don't stop at the top of the escalators, lady. It's just not very smart for you.

8. Even with the invention of ipods, mp3 players, hell, even the walkman...if you still do need to listen to your boombox, please don't rewind the tape and listen to the same part over and over again.

9. Please don't start yelling on the phone and start pacing up and down the subway car. It can be quite distracting, and a bit worrisome.

10. Lastly, and this is probably the most concerning, please don't urinate on the subway platform. Not a good look.