Don't block the aisle and don't eat smelly food: how to behave when traveling by train

"Railroad etiquette, like any other form of public transportation, has a set of standards to make the trip easier and more enjoyable for everyone," says Diana Gottsman, author of Modern Etiquette for a Better Life and founder of the School of Protocol in Texas. The publication writes about it

To make traveling more enjoyable for all passengers, HuffPost asked Gottsman and other etiquette experts to share some common instances of rude behavior on trains and how to avoid these etiquette mistakes.

Allow passengers to get off first when boarding

"Always allow passengers to exit the train before attempting to board yourself," urges Jodi R.R. Smith, president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, based in Massachusetts, USA.

Stand aside and wait for people to get off before entering the train. Once on board, move away from the door so you don't interfere with others getting on or off. Practice the same when it is your turn to get off the train.

Do not speak loudly in the carriage

"Turn down the volume," advises Gottsman. "If you're traveling by train and not by subway, there may be a quiet car that specifically requires silence. Respect this rule. In any other form of public transportation, keep the volume down so that others don't hear your conversation."

If you need to communicate, use text messages rather than calls.

"Stay off the phone as much as possible," says Vernon-Thompson, founder of the From the Inside-Out School of Etiquette. - If you do need to talk to someone, remember that it's bad etiquette to put your phone on speaker in public. The content of your conversation should not become public knowledge."

Take headphones with you

Just as you should keep your volume down when you're talking, you should also be mindful of other people when you're listening to music or watching videos. Fortunately, technology allows us to keep our viewing and listening sessions private.

Don't put things on the seats

Resist the urge to take up more than one seat by placing your backpack or purse next to you or sprawling your body across multiple seats.

Eating smelly food

"Avoid smelly foods," says Gottsman. "Your favorite snack may be a plastic container filled with hard-boiled eggs, but they should be enjoyed in your own kitchen. You should also avoid fish and other foods with a strong odor."

If you're going to eat on the train, choose food that is "self-contained and minimally flavored," Smith reiterates.

Also try to refrain from eating common allergens like peanuts on the train. And this may not be the best time to douse yourself in the strongest-smelling perfume or cologne.

"Sometimes on the train, people forget they're in public and act like they're at home," said Tami Claytor, an etiquette coach at Always Appropriate Image & Etiquette Consulting. She emphasized that subway trains are not the best place for a picnic.

"When traveling by rail, you can only eat in a specially designated restaurant or cafe car," she added. "This rule changes slightly when you travel in first class on Amtrak's Acela train, where you enjoy 'sit-down dining' - food and drinks are served to you. On the Orient Express, you have the option to eat in your room."

Don't bore your fellow travelers with conversations

"Be sure to watch your fellow travelers' signals," says Smith. "If they make eye contact and ask questions, you can engage in a lively conversation. If they answer your questions with monosyllabic answers, give them a chance to be alone. Your trip should not disturb anyone else."

If the person sitting next to you doesn't show a clear interest in talking, try to keep your conversation to a minimum. Conversely, there are polite ways to make it clear that you are not interested in the conversation.

"If you choose not to engage in conversation, headphones are a good indicator that you're deep in your playlist, podcast, or work," says Gottsman. - "Also, friendly conversation is fine, but you should avoid sharing too much information with a stranger.

Don't block the aisle

"It's extremely important to find a seat as quickly as possible so you don't block the aisles trying to determine which seat you're going to sit in," says Vernon-Thompson. "If additional passengers board the train while you are sitting or standing, make sure to give them room to maneuver and find a safe place to stand or sit. Keep your belongings close to you and fit as many things as possible."

Be mindful of the space you occupy throughout your train journey.

"One of the most tactless things a person can do on a train is to put their feet out into the aisle, and passengers are forced to either step over their feet or apologize for them to finally get their feet back into their space," adds Vernon-Thompson. "This shouldn't be happening."

Be mindful of your fellow travelers' personal space and health

"It is unacceptable to invade someone's personal space," says Vernon-Thompson. "Always make an effort to find a way to give the person next to you their space. Touching and breathing in their face is too close for comfort."

"If you know you might catch a cold or feel unwell, it's best to avoid such places," says Vernon-Thompson. "However, if you have to be in such places, wear a mask. Be considerate of other people's health. Remember that you are in a closed space, and germs spread very quickly and easily."

She emphasized the importance of covering your coughs and sneezes to avoid spreading germs.

"Don't cough into your hands because you're likely to be holding onto a counter or surface on that train," she added. "You will leave your germs on these surfaces to spread to others. Cough or sneeze into your elbow."