[alias_neo]

Having spent the past ~10 years living in London, I disagree.

Rush hour Tokyo trains were a dream, people are polite and queue, but they queue so that they're not in the way, the carriages are surprisingly head-roomy for 6'4 me, unlike the shit show of the central line, they're cooled properly, like the circle/district and the stations were almost universally clean and spacious unlike our tube platforms which are often cramped with tiny exits through archways blocked by people filling the platforms.

I'm not saying the London Tube is bad, but I would take Tokyo subway over it any day.

It may be controversial to say but tourists (local or from afar) are generally the worst part about central London commuting, due to the ignorance of the etiquette, especially when tourist numbers can be overwhelming in some parts.

[rrwo]

> It may be controversial to say but tourists (local or from afar) are generally the worst part about central London commuting, due to the ignorance of the etiquette, especially when tourist numbers can be overwhelming in some parts.

This goes for any city that is popular with tourists, who seem to forget that most of the people in a city live and work there, and have their own lives that do not revolve around hospitality or entertainment for tourists.

[Stevvo]

The tube is pretty bad. Many lines have grime floating in the air that deposits on skin & clothing and turns your snot black. Often a very long walk pavement to platform. Frequent delays from suicide attempts because its old so no track doors and the designs of stations are depressing. Overworked and underpaid staff.

[dkdbejwi383]

> the designs of stations are depressing

Surely this is subjective? The station designs by Leslie Green and Charles Holden in particular are highly regarded.

[jasondozell]

Gonna dispute pretty much all of that but in particular there are not frequent delays due to suicides.

[Stevvo]

So, did some research. TFL have not released hard figures in recent years, but it appears the delays due to jumpers are significantly down from their past near-daily occurance because of the installation of "suicide pits" to catch jumpers under many platforms and training staff to intervene when they spot a distressed person on the platform.

[claxo]

Wait, wait- Any rule you can spell in a few words or a link?

[koyote]

- Stand on the right of escalators

- Have your ticket/oyster/card ready BEFORE getting to the gates (and move to the side and out of the way if you need to take time to find it)

- Move inside the carriages

- Don't start conversations with commuters (especially during morning rush hour)

- Take your rucksack off and put it by your feet if it's crowded

- Don't walk 3+ abreast

- Don't run for the train and especially don't block the closing door (there's a train every 2-3 minutes, just wait)

[matt-p]

Could not possibly agree more, they are the worst. System would be massively more efficient and pleasant if everyone followed basic etiquette.

Other annoyances;

When you get to the bottom of the escalators don't just stop in the middle looking at phones and wondering what platform you need. Stand to the side.

Observe the queues next to each door position on the platform and join them. Do not just stand in the clear space in the middle. Following on from that, let people off the train first!!

Walk down the platform don't huddle at the entrance to it.

Don't wait for the gates to close before tapping your card. Just tap and check for green light.

[maxwell86]

> Stand on the right of escalators

This surprised me when visiting the UK.

I actually expected people to stand on the "left" of the scalators - just like how they drive on the left and overtake on the right - but they didn't. They stood on the right.

I was left puzzled ???

[matt-p]

Walk on the left, which is enabled by people standing on the right. Quite simple IMO, but maybe that's just because it's ever been thus!

[maxwell86]

That's the opposite of all other traffic rules in the UK.

Cars stop on the left, which allow other cars to overtake them on the right.

[claxo]

Thanks!

[alias_neo]

Stand on the right on escalators, let people off of the carriages before you barge on, don't stop suddenly without checking who's about to walk into you, don't run into tube trains as the doors are closing only to get stuck and hold up the train, DON'T HOLD THE DOORS OPEN, go up and down stairs on the left, corridors etc, stay on the left and don't fuck around at the barriers. Have your card ready, your contactless ready, take your kids, cases, whatever through the wide gate. Don't play whatever shitty video you're watching to the whole train and certainly don't subject others to your music taste.

DO ask people for directions or for help, people may look tired, they may look grumpy they may even be those things, but most will be more than willing to help you.

EDIT: Others covered a few important ones I missed too; backpacks off, walking N-abreast so as to be blocking others from passing are a big no-no; you may be having a leisurely stroll, commuters have places to be, whether at work or at home with their families and their feet up after a long day.

[NoboruWataya]

Another one that really gets me - when you get on a half-crowded train, MOVE IN, don't just park yourself by the door blocking everyone behind you.

Of course, these are all rules that should be followed by everyone on all public transport. Nothing really specific to the tube.

[drcongo]

Please run for Mayor of London.

edit: Rule to add - don't just stand still when you step off an escalator.

[wst_]

Adding to this: Don't jump aboard wearing your dirty working jumpsuit smeared with paint, cement, oil. Also stop loudly arguing with your partner over phone. Get your shoes off the chairs.

[dustedcodes]

That's a great summary!