You’ve been using the London Underground all wrong! Etiquette expert William Hanson reveals whether eye contact with strangers is acceptable, how loudly you can talk and more…
- William Hanson has clarified the do’s and don’ts in his book Just Good Manners
- Which of his rules do YOU find most important? Vote in our poll…
- READ MORE: You’ve been eating chips all wrong!
Foreign tourists in London – and visitors from elsewhere in Britain – you have been using the city’s underground railway system all wrong.
But it’s understandable, as none of the ‘rules’ for using the London Underground – or ‘Tube’ – are formally written down.
Until now.
Etiquette expert William Hanson has clarified the do’s and don’ts in his new book, Just Good Manners, warning that those who don’t follow them risk experiencing ‘the chilling wrath of a British tut’.
William starts by explaining that the first sign of a new arrival is to ‘wait for the ticket barriers to close before tapping their payment card on the Oyster pad’. This, he says, causes inconvenience to passengers on the back.
Etiquette expert William Hanson has clarified the do’s and don’ts of using the London Underground in his new book Just Good Manners. Above: Westminster station on the Circle/District line
Merlin of Manners: William Hanson
“Be a professional and know that as long as the LED is orange, you can tap regardless of the position of the barriers,” says William.
Next, says the Duke of decorum, is strict adherence to the signposted rule on the escalators ‘stand on the right, walk on the left’.
“If you don’t, you’re considered one level below a serial killer,” William warns.
Once on board, “only talk in hushed tones to people you know,” William emphasizes.
But don’t talk at all when ‘you are pressed against others’.
Hungry? Eating on the subway should be approached with extreme caution.
“Only make eye contact with people you don’t know if there is a minor drama,” says William
William’s new book, Just Good Manners (Penguin Random House), is out now
William says, “Don’t eat anything that stinks. Ideally, there is nothing bigger or more powerful than a breath mint.”
What about eye contact?
“Only make eye contact with people you don’t know if there is a minor drama,” says William, such as “an over-the-top busker, a drunk or an argument between other passengers.”
He adds: ‘Unless such a case occurs, the only acceptable places to stare at are the floor, your phone and the overhead advertisements for sending money abroad.’
Any other clues?
Yes.
You only listen to music, videos and podcasts with your headphones.
And during busy periods, William says, ‘watch your luggage’.
He explains: ‘Backpacks should be held in front of you, rather than carried conventionally, and bags should certainly not be placed on empty seats. Place him on your lap or on the floor.’
And finally, “preventing the doors from closing so your friend can catch up and join you doesn’t make you a hero, it makes you a dick of the highest order.”
“Normally there is always a train running close behind the train you are stopping during your kamikaze routine,” says William.
For more information from Mr. Hanson, visit his TikTok And Instagram profiles.
Just Good Manners – A quintessential guide to courtesy, charm, grace and decorum (Penguin Random House), is out now. It is billed as ‘a witty and authoritative guide to British etiquette’.
