I have never seen this level of coughing without covering the mouth, loud conversations on speakerphone, TikTok video scrolling without headphones, feet on seats, standing near the doors without giving way, etc. anywhere else in the world.
In b4 “get used to it”, “wear noise cancelling headphones”, “it’s a you problem”, “part of living in a big city”, “where have you not seen this elsewhere because it’s just a fact everywhere” and other tragedy of the commons accepting copes.
I’ve lived in several major metros around the world, including in a developing country.
What’s weird is that everyone seems to agree, even though it isn’t against the rules, not to eat on public transit. I don’t even mind that really.
I’ve politely asked a few times that people turn the volume down on tinny speakers, and people have been graceful about it, but I’d like not to have to ask. There was even a person having a full on 30 minute phone conversation in the marked “quiet section” of the local library.
It’s to the point that I cannot ride on public transit without seeing multiple of these things. Every time.
So, my questions:
- Why is this seemingly unique to Melbourne?
- What can we do to try and stop it?
- Why do some people need to have a phone conversation all of the waking hours of the day?
It’s kinda driving me crazy.
Thanks
Thank you for a thoughtful and interesting reply.
The public health angle is interesting. I know noise pollution has a measurable negative effect on quality of life.
I bet making the signs bigger would actually have some effect in that it would socialise the message to control volume to the public in general.
I suppose I don’t mind quiet conversations taking place but when I can hear it from five rows down it grinds my gears.
Been better lately about getting up and moving when someone comes in and sits down making noise but I sometimes need to go two three cars to get away from that.
Anyway cheers