The London Commuter's Creed

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Becoming a London commuter is like being part of a special club. Like any big city, the rush to and from work comes with a code of behaviour that everybody learns to follow:



I will always appear to be in a hurry. Even if I'm 30 minutes ahead of schedule.

I will never, ever make eye contact with another person on a train or bus. And if necessary, I will hide behind a newspaper so I can pretend I'm traveling alone.

I will stand as close as possible to the doors of the trains in the Underground, so people can just barely get by me - that way I can get on first.

I will roll my eyes at people who sneeze or cough during cold season (even if I've got a cold myself).

On Friday afternoons, I will produce cold cans of Foster or Stella from inside my bag to drink in front of (and possibly spill on) other people.

If I'm a teenager, I will make sure to be as loud as possible, making sure to include "F" this and "F" with every sentence so my friends and the other people traveling know how cool (and loud) I am.

If I'm not sure where I'm going, I'll ask for help even though there are signs on every wall providing maps and directions.

If I'm a tourist, I'll repeat "moind the gap" and the name of every single train stop with a terrible British accent. *

I will listen to my iPod as loudly as possible. So everybody can enjoy my music too.

If I'm pregnant, elderly, or using crutches, I will stand in front of people sitting down and give them the evil eye until they give me their seat. **

I will dress in layers to accomodate the extreme temperature differences between the cold of outside and the sauna-like heat of the Underground.

If I'm eating, I'll be sure to leave my trash (including uneaten food) on the trains because people will clean the train at the end of the line.

When there are delays in the Underground, I'll curse and swear under my breath, but when the person beside me makes a comment, I pretend I can't hear them.

Given the opportunity, I will run up the "down" stairs, race around people queuing up, go the wrong way through the Tube stations (and will not care if people going in the right direction have to dodge around me), and squeeze onto an already full elevator because I'm in such a hurry.

I will complain about the people who take up more than one seat, but if I get the chance, will doe exactly the same thing (my bag is a lot happier in the chair beside me).

I will drink, smoke, and swear on the night buses.***

I will talk on my mobile for as long as possible, and will compose text messages when the network is not available in the Underground.

I will get through the commute each day by reading newspapers, drinking bottles of water, talking on my mobile, and being thankful for not having to drive through the streets of one of the world's busiest cities.

I will complain every day about how awful the transportation in this city is, but when traveling in a different place, will brag about how much better everything is in London.


* I must admit to doing this myself for the first couple of weeks.
** I'm not saying they shouldn't have the seats, but it's hilarious to watch them glare at people as soon as they walk onto the buses or trains.
*** This is even funnier to watch - people either don't care and will go as far as rolling then smoking a joint on the bus, or they'll be very paranoid (but still wanting to impress their moron friends) so they'll try to hide the billowing smoke coming from under their hands.