How to be courteous on public transportation

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So in a place like Canada, you’d expect everyone to be super polite and nice, right? Well, that’s not always the case! Some people get very aggressive, especially during rush hour. So here are a few tips if you’re entering the bus, train or even airplane.

1. When you’re sitting, never sit immediately at the front unless you’re willing to give up your seats to the elderly. The space is for people who are handicapped or have a stroller; so please, walk to the back of the bus. There’s much more room there!

2. In addition to this, when the seats are full, please do not stand at the entrances or exits of the bus. People get on and off constantly and having stubborn people in the way simply makes taking the bus a bigger pain than it should! It’s not hard to move to the back of the bus unless it’s moving.

3. After a long day of work or school, you obviously would not want to carry your backpack on the long way home, right? That’s perfectly understandable, so please do not take up more than one seat because of your stuff. I think a person is more worthy of a seat than a backpack is. Plus, backpacks are supposed to get dirty; you put them on the floor in classrooms anyway.

4. When you choose to sit, please do not sit at the outside of the aisle when there’s an empty seat near the window. It’s a pain for people to scoot in; it’s awkward and either a person’s backside or front side is staring at you. If it were a strange guy, would you really want to see their butt or front side? I don’t know, that’s just far too odd for me!

5.  If you have a bike, dog, or a huge baby stroller, please do not take the bus or train during rush hour. It’s just always so crowded and it will just aggravate you (because no one is being considerate), others (because there is no room to move) and the bus driver (because they can’t really do anything about it). So please, be mindful of others!

6. If you are bringing a child on board, please do not let them be extremely rude. Kicking a person’s seat in front of them is a big no-no! I know you want to be a nice parent, and not seem like you’re a mean person, but you have to discipline them as well (note: not abuse).

7. Since you’re Canadian, say sorry when someone bumps into you! That’s just common courtesy 😉