How to ask someone to turn down their phone on public transport
An etiquette expert offers practical advice for asking someone to turn down their phone on public transport without escalating.
Speaker phone calls, loud videos and ringing devices are now so common on trains and buses that people have stopped treating shared spaces with care. Zarife Hardy, founder of the Australian School of Etiquette, says people increasingly treat public transport like their own lounge room.
If you need to ask someone to be quieter, she recommends a gentle approach: say 'I'm really sorry, but that's a little bit loud. Would you mind turning it down?'
rather than 'Turn it down.' If the person is intoxicated or aggressive, just move seats.
Victoria fines non-headphone calls $261. NSW has rules against disrupting others' comfort.
The UK has proposed fines up to £1000. But Hardy says relying on penalties is a sad sign we have lost basic consideration for one another.
- $261
- Victoria phone call fine
- £1000
- UK proposed fine
Why it mattersCommuting is uncomfortable for many; small changes in how we behave in shared spaces can make trains and buses more pleasant for everyone.
AustraliaVictorian passengers face $261 fines for speaker phone calls; NSW rules are looser but discourage disruption. Daily commuters can apply these techniques right now.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
