London Banter - View Single Post - Plan for dealing with obnoxious phone calls on trains?

Tom Anderson

On Sat, 19 Nov 2005, Martin Underwood wrote:

Tom Anderson wrote in
:

and impossible in most modern EMU/DMU because they don't have
vestibules in the sense you probably mean.

There's always, i think, some area by the doors which, even though it's
not completely separated from the seating, is somewhat acoustically
separated, by distance and usually by perspex screens.

And there are issues related to leaving ones seat (with or without
possessions left behind) and if the train is full and standing,
moving around it may not be an option.

In these situations, out of simple common courtesy to your fellow
passengers, you should refrain from making phone calls. If you
absolutely must make phone calls, don't take a train.

I think it's possible to use a mobile phone on a train without annoying
other people. The rules are as follows:

- set your phone to vibrate so incoming calls don't disturb other people

- talk in a normal voice: don't shout

- try to shield yourself from the rest of the carriage as much as possible,
for instance by turning towards the side of the train beside the window

- limit the use of your mobile phone to essential details like "the train's
been delayed - I'll see you at this time at this place instead of what we
agreed before".

Basically, make your best effort to minimise the impact of your phone use
on others, by whatever means. I agree entirely - i think i was a bit harsh
in my previous post.

People who use mobile phones for prolonged business calls, as if the
train is an extension of their office, speaking in a loud voice and
talking about sensitive confidential matters, are worthy of contempt;
people who try to be discreet are not.

Precisely.

tom

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