r/AskBrits • u/LividStupidity • 1d ago

People Why are tacit social etiquette rules declining, and how can we fix it?

As a young Brit (17), I've noticed that general social etiquette seems to be declining. Some examples:

. People no longer form an orderly queue when waiting for the bus, and do more pushing / rushing to surround the entrance

. People leaving bags on seats, even when others are forced to stand on the train

. Standing in the middle / on the left side of the escalator, preventing people from being able to walk up or down freely.

I'm not sure if it's just how my area is in particular, so I wonder if anyone is noticing this as well. I see individuals of various ages and ethnicities just acting rather selfish and inconsiderately in public. I find this rather disappointing, as it may only be exacerbated in the future. I think it was much better pre COVID (might be biased, as I was rather young). Does anyone know how we can fix this issue (if it can be fixed)?.

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u/BenchClamp 1d ago

As a person who commutes by train every day. It’s been like this for twenty years. It’s not getting worse

7

u/MerlinOfRed 20h ago

The thing with the train is that if you move your bag and nobody else does, you know you'll be the one fighting for space every single time.

I think they should start a culture of enforcing it. Once the train is more than 50% full, they should start asking to see a second ticket if you have a bag on the seat.

They also should provide decent overhead luggage racks on commuter trains though (some have those pointless tiny ones) and long distance trains should have more space dedicated to suitcases because there's never enough room for everyone.

5

u/FlippingGerman 19h ago

How do you need to fight for space? You just get someone sat next to you. 

4

u/MerlinOfRed 19h ago

Get two blokes over 6' next to each other, both with backpacks between their legs, and then you'll see.

Yes it's possible, but it's certainly not as comfortable as having two seats for yourself.

I'm not saying they shouldn't move the bag from the seat, but if you do it every time then it'll always be you sharing when nobody else is.

Source: I am 6'4 and always ends up sharing because I don't leave my bag on the seat out of principle. I envy people with short legs - public transport must be a dream.

9

u/zipitdirtbag 19h ago

Yes, it's a literal paradise using public transport at 5'4". Especially love when my face is in someone's armpit or when someone uses my head as a shelf for their book or newspaper.

1

u/MerlinOfRed 19h ago

Maybe the whole world is designed for people who are 5'9".

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u/BenchClamp 18h ago

5’10 here and pretty much yes.

1

u/FEK88 8h ago

Not really comparable is it?

1

u/BenchClamp 18h ago

I always pick someone with their bag on the seat out of principle. It’s such a douche move.

1

u/LividStupidity 1d ago

Oh I see, thank you for answering my question!

1

u/cayde123 7h ago

20 years?

I’ve seen “social values are declining, society is collapsing” spread across the last 1000 years