Traveling by train can be so beautiful: relaxing, comfortable and environmentally friendly. To keep it from being awful and stress-free for everyone, follow a few rules. What is forbidden on the train?
1. Please keep your distance!
Does that sound familiar to you? Because of the corona pandemic, it is of course particularly important to keep enough distance at the moment. And to observe the hygiene measures – otherwise there is even a risk of a fine.
But apart from Corona, it is always respectful to give other people enough space.
Mean too much closeness and crowding
2. All mine here!
You have just made yourself comfortable and stretched out your legs when your neighbor wants to get out. Just sit there and let others climb over you? “It’s better to stand up than fold down if someone wants to leave their seat,” recommends behavior expert Linda Kaiser.
3. Feet don’t belong on the seat
That’s the principle. Sure, on longer trips it can be nice to put your feet up. If the train is not very crowded and you want to do it: Be considerate of everyone who will be sitting there later.
Feet up only without shoes and – because of foot sweat – with a pad.
Linda Kaiser finds a towel useful. If you don’t have one, you can put a newspaper underneath it, for example.
4. Don’t be lazy or talkative
Especially for longer train journeys: A greeting when entering the compartment and a short goodbye when getting off are polite. “Whoever enters a compartment should greet them in a friendly manner and thus create a pleasant atmosphere,” advises Linda Kaiser.
Of course, you don’t have to greet all the passengers in the open-plan car. But it would be nice for the immediate seat neighbors.
Conversations while driving are a matter of opinion: Some people like to chat to pass the time, others prefer to be left alone. If your counterpart only gives short answers, i.e. obviously doesn’t want to talk to you, you should always respect that.
5. “Sorry, it’s on my back”
Yes, heaving strangers’ heavy suitcases into the luggage rack isn’t much fun. But willingness to help
For those who are helped. But also for the helpers: whoever helps others gets in a good mood, because happy hormones are released.
And everyone needs support at some point. So offer your help to other passengers if you think they need it
6. Rather not: hours of cell phone calls
The details of your relationship and what your therapist says about it tends not to interest strangers. Loud and long phone calls can disturb others.
Also, after all, private matters should remain private. You shouldn’t discuss details of the job in public either, after all, that’s none of your business.
It is better to have important and longer conversations later in peace. A short call, for example to tell us your arrival time, is of course ok. Incidentally, there are now separate cell phone and quiet areas on the ICE.
7. Psst! Not so loud!
Noisy online games, music, ringtones for every incoming message, laptop signals – what a noise in the train compartment! The constant “bing” from the cell phone next door while you’re trying to sleep can be insane.
If you want to play, work or listen to music on the train: It is best to use headphones, turn off the signal tones and music on the headphone volume.
In this way you protect the nerves of the passengers. The railway says in its terms and conditions: “Every traveler must behave in such a way that other travelers are not unduly disturbed or bothered.”
8. Yes, what stinks there?
Eating is allowed on the train. By the way, also during Corona. And it doesn’t matter what you want to eat.
But a certain amount of consideration is also appropriate here. The good Limburg cheese and two cloves of garlic or a doner kebab with lots of onions spreads aromas!
Not everyone finds such smells pleasant. Out of consideration for your surroundings, it is better to choose low-odour dishes for your train journey.
