Underground Etiquette

Jonas Morian Promemorian gives tourists or others who don't travel on the Stockholm underground that often some tips on how to behave and what to avoid in order not to annoy fellow passengers. These could be equally applied to underground systems elsewhere (with some moderation).

(Free translation)

Stockholm underground system is starting to fill up by people who apparently are unfamiliar with the city's unwritten rules. Since I like tourism, but hate lack of respect for social codes, I give you - in an eagerly awaited and updated repeat from June 2005 - some tips for you who visit our beautiful capital:

1. One cannot swipe all sorts of tickets through the automatic barriers and expect them to open. They only work with tickets with a magnetic stripe.
2. Find out where you are going before approaching the ticket booth. Admittedly staff are expected to provide tips on nice sites in Stockholm and how you can get there with the underground and other means of public transportation, but striking up a long conversation is not appreciated by those queueing behind you.
3. On the escalators people walk to the left. Preferably in a fast pace. You stand to the right - but we prefer that you still move forward albeit in a slower pace than in the left lane.
4. When you are at the top of the escalator (or at the bottom for that matter) keep on going in the same direction. If you are unsure where you are going, yield immediately and let the people behind you pass. Don't stop and look around you. Observ that this rule applies equally to lifts and underground trains.
5. Respect your co-passengers' personal spheres. In plain terms: don't stand too close. Sure, it can be difficult in rush hour on a full train, but always try to at least avoid body contact.
6. It is good to keep a low, relaxed profile. Your fellow passengers are not potential new friends. On the other hand it is of course alright to ask for directions. But don't count on Stockholmers to understand what you mean if you ask for track or line numbers.
7. On the underground maps the different lines are marked in blue, green and red. This has nowadays no direct correlation with the colour of the actual underground car. You don't need to sit and wait for a red train to be certain that the train really to Ropsten really takes you to Ropsten.
8. Occupy one seat on the underground. Your bag does not need its own seat. If you choose to stand instead of sitting, take off your backpack. Okay, many Stockholmers don't always follow this rule but I promise that we appreciate you more if you do.
9. Let people get off the train before you try to get on. See also the comment to rule 8.

Finally Promemorian points us to this site on underground etiquette in London for further inspiration.