Public transport is a shared space, but not everyone knows or follows the rules. In an effort to improve the manners of those using its metro system, an agency came up with the
perfect etiquette guide that's not only helpful but also quite funny.
Since the guide is available only in French, here's a translation of the 12 rules it lays down:
On the platform
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Be courteous: Understand that the enormous crossed out cigarette is not a work of contemporary art, but a no-smoking sign.
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Be helpful: That means helping the guy in the Bermuda shirt with a subway map in one hand and his hair in the other.
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Be polite: Using your phone makes you unbearable.
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Be helpful: Hold the exit door for the person behind you. In life, never pass on the chance to come across a pretty glance.
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Be polite: Use your handkerchief, and not just to wave goodbye on the platform.
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Be helpful: That means taking an old lady's bag...and giving it back to her with a smile at the top of the stairs.
On board
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Have manners: Share your new musical tastes on your social networks. Today, you can express yourself in silence.
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Be polite: Say hello to the driver, whether it's a man or a woman.
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Be courteous: Don't stare at a female rider, even if she has piercing eyes.
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Be courteous: Don't start a duel with the knight who accidentally steps on your foot.
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Have manners: On the really hot days, play the penguin and keep your arms at your sides. Hold onto the bottom of the pole, not the top.
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Have manners: Don't confuse the metro with the bathroom, even if both have tiles on the walls.