Whether you commute regularly by ferry, bus, train, subway, or

trolley---anywhere in the world---or just riding public transportation for

pleasure, here are 10 tips to think about and practice at all times:

1. BE NICE. When the doors open to enter, allow the elderly, disabled,

pregnant women, people with infants, children, or luggage to enter ahead of

you so you can help hold others back when the "stampede" takes place.

Offer these same individuals a seat, assuming you are an able-bodied person

who can just as well stand.

2. DON'T BE IN SUCH A RUSH. When getting on and off, do not shove or push

your way through the masses. Take your time and relax. Barging rarely gets

you there more than a few seconds faster and may cause accidents.

3. HAVE YOUR MONEY AND TICKET READY. Do not stand in line or in front of the

ticket depository fumbling for what you need. At the office or at home, take

out your money or ticket and put it in a convenient pocket ahead of time.

You'll be able to pull it out in a flash and not hold up the line.

4. DO YOU STINK? Be aware of your body odor, bad breath, or strong perfume.

A friend told me how he sat next to a commuter who took off his shoes to rest

his tired feet, and stunk up the entire area. Keep your shoes on until you

get home. Don't eat smelly foods on public transit either. In fact, eating

is often not allowed.

5. KEEP MOVING. Do not stop dead to think about where you want to go. Slowly

move with the flow of traffic until you choose where you want to go, or step

aside while you figure it out. Do not block doorways when you enter. It

continues to amaze me how people do not move to the back of a bus where it is

less congested. please, do not clog the entrance!

6. KEEP YOUR VOICE DOWN. Whether speaking to the person next to you or on

your cell phone, speak quietly. Did you know in Japan cell phones are not

allowed to be used on public transportation? It sure must be a peaceful ride.

When on your cell phone, monitor how loudly you may be speaking. To tone it

down, move your phone just a fraction of an inch from your ear when speaking.

This will help you to hear your own voice more normally, without the cell

phone blocking one ear. Press it back to your ear when listening. Do this

back and forth until you are fully aware of how loudly you may be speaking.

Also, keep conversations brief when on public transportation. Tell the person

you will call them back when you are back to the office or home.

7. NO FOUL LANGUAGE. Never use profane and inappropriate language and within

earshot of others in public.

8. PICK UP AFTER YOURSELF. Place cups, wrappers, and other garbage in proper

trash receptacles. Do not let items blow away without making every effort to

catch them for proper disposal.

9. WATCH OUT IF YOU CARRY A BACKPACK OR BAGS. Be aware of how wide your body

becomes when you are wearing a backpack or carrying items over your shoulders

or in your arms. Slow down when moving around to prevent whacking someone.

When pulling or pushing a wheeled bag, be aware of the space you are taking

up. Keep the bag as close to your own body as possible. When you put your

stuff on the floor in a crowd, people can't see below them and will likely

trip over your bag, potentially causing injury.

10. NO HOGGING SEATS. As much as you want to sit alone and have some

privacy, forget it when crowds appear. Do not take up more space than your

one seat. Placing an item on the seat next to you to make it appear occupied

is being selfish and inconsiderate to others who deserve to sit as much as

you.

BONUS: PARKING LOTS. Forget saving a few steps and time by cutting across

the parking lot or walking in roadways. You may not realize it, but making

cars stop or slow for you impedes traffic and potentially causes accidents.

Instead, be good to yourself and others. Use walkways and crosswalks.

Besides, studies have shown that such actions don't really save any

significant time anyway.

QUESTION: Do you have other commuter pet peeves to share? Send them in the

comment section provided. If you live in an area that has unusual ways of

doing things you've not seen elsewhere, share those differences and what

manners or etiquette you think should be displayed versus what you see

happening. Do let us hear from you by locating this article at

www.AdvancedEtiquette.com/blog. You may also reach us at

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Happy Practicing!