Mind your manners [BT broadband office]

Mind your manners

Posted 27 March 2008 at 2:01PM by Hannah Gilchrist in Light relief

If you travel into work via the delights of public transport, you've no doubt experienced the noisy teenager playing their music too loud or even the grumpy old man refusing to move his bags so you can sit down.

Ok, so not everyone has such a hectic time getting into work but even the slightest hold up or change in noise level can set the tone for the rest of your day. Like many I spend most of my time sat on a bus dreaming of living somewhere warmer, the thing is, if I lived in Japan my commute into work would probably be more blissful.

The newly appointed 'etiquette police' are trying to curb bad behaviour by asking noisy travellers to turn off loud music and tone down mobile phone conversations to help everyone enjoy travel and respect each other more. Even applying make-up is a no-no.

But as the Smile-Manner Squadron move in on Yokohama to turn public transport into a more pleasant experience, could the UK learn a thing or two from them about commuter travel? After all a bit of tranquillity and politeness could make your day seem brighter than it did when you woke up.

Tags: bt, bt broadbandoffice, commuter, etiquette police, home working

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Comments

1. At March 28, 2008 9:08 AM, Stephan Brookshaw wrote:

Maybe they should go into some call centre's around the UK and do the same thing to them?

In my dealings with Call Center's when phoning up to complain about a certain item, product or process, some of the agents I have spoken to have been rude, arrogant and treat me like I am stupid. (BT one of the worst for that).

Maybe they need their help?

2. At March 28, 2008 9:13 AM, Pat wrote:

Will the ettiquette police be enforcing these rules on the drivers as well? I often think they can be the rudest of all people on a bus!

3. At March 30, 2008 6:31 AM, Jason wrote:

Wouldn't it be great if the new Mayor of London, or any other politico, started a "Manners are free" campaign. It could start on transport and spread elsewhere. I'd certainly like to hear "Manners are free" interspersed with "Mind the gap". Travel staff could be trained to pass it on simply by setting an example. The doors on tubes, trains, trams etc. could be emblazoned with "Let people off before you try and get on - remember, manners are free" in any language.

4. At April 1, 2008 10:11 AM, Call Centre Monkey wrote:

If Stephan Brookshaw finds agents in call centres rude and arrogant he should try being on the other end of the line. The amount of verbal abuse suffered by call centre agents is incredible.

As to the OP the problem is deeper than just rudeness. Many people seem to have an incredibly inflated sense of entitlement nowadays that manifests as unbelievable rudeness.

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