Why do some passengers not get how annoying it is to play music and videos out loud?

[al78]

Is there much point in putting up notices which can easily (and will) be ignored? If there are rules in places which state people should not be causing a nuisance through excessive noise, what is needed is enforcement of those rules, and for that you need authoritative people. You cannot expect the more considerate members of the public to do this as the selfish/thoughtless individuals have long since worked out they can retaliate against standard members of the public with no comeback. There also have to be consequences to repeated violation of the rules. Without all that, the issue is permanent, and it is apparent now that some have an entitlement attitude (which comes from a lack of consequences to actions) to doing what they want in public shared spaces as though they were at home.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Is there much point in putting up notices which can easily (and will) be ignored?

Because being able to passive-aggressively tap a sign is surprisingly effective. It's the usual British method of "enforcing" a quiet coach. It removes the "but it's OK" argument, leaving only the "I'm a bad person and I'm going to do what I like anyway" one which fewer people will use.

The Dutch and Germans are into displaying "house rules"/"Hausregeln"/"Huisregel" at the entrance to just about everything, and it's a great idea. Notably the former Abellio TOCs do it to some extent too.

 

[Krokodil]

Is there much point in putting up notices which can easily (and will) be ignored?

It gives the enforcer something to point at.

 

[PyrahnaRanger]

Then you tell the children that only one of them can listen at a time, and provide other things for the rest to do. For children to learn that life involves choices and taking turns is a very good thing.

Or, if by some miracle you’ve managed to get seats around the same table, squeeze a couple of them in and pop it between them as quiet as possible, I suppose, because by the time I’ve got to the point where the digital babysitter is in use, I’m in no condition to arbitrate that discussion; I really don’t know how single parents cope without going off the rails, if you’ll pardon the expression.

It gives the enforcer something to point at.

And takes away the “I didn’t know, nobody told me” excuse.

 

[AndrewP]

I am old enough to remember this...

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qWPy3TwaGFw934jMKJCXDL-1200-80.jpg

Been a problem in various forms forever

 

[Peter0124]

TikTok isn't helping things either since its mostly short-form content with audio.

 

[Jimini]

Or, if by some miracle you’ve managed to get seats around the same table, squeeze a couple of them in and pop it between them as quiet as possible, I suppose, because by the time I’ve got to the point where the digital babysitter is in use, I’m in no condition to arbitrate that discussion; I really don’t know how single parents cope without going off the rails, if you’ll pardon the expression.

Loosely connected to this — we have friends whose daughter (about 7ish now) spoke with quite the American twang for a good couple of years during / after Covid, primarily due to the sheer volume of stuff she watched on her iPad growing up / doing online learning (they live in Lee so would expect more of a south London drawl!).

 

[Wolfie]

Loosely connected to this — we have friends whose daughter (about 7ish now) spoke with quite the American twang for a good couple of years during / after Covid, primarily due to the sheer volume of stuff she watched on her iPad growing up / doing online learning (they live in Lee so would expect more of a south London drawl!).

My daughter was similar. Her mum restricted her viewing to mostly educational stuff but so much is US origin...

 

[En]

Loosely connected to this — we have friends whose daughter (about 7ish now) spoke with quite the American twang for a good couple of years during / after Covid, primarily due to the sheer volume of stuff she watched on her iPad growing up / doing online learning (they live in Lee so would expect more of a south London drawl!).

yet the Seppos complain their crotch goblins speak with Bri'ish accents after watching too much Peppa Pig or 'strine/Strayan accents after watching too much Bluey

 

[PyrahnaRanger]

Funny you should say that - our youngest two, and a couple of their friends, switch into an American twang but only when they are playing “let’s pretend” type games, despite watching a mix of UK, Australian and American programs.

The eldest, whose idea of a good viewing is The Yorkshire Steam Railway, has thus far refrained from both flat caps and Yorkshire accents, but does want to be an apprentice to either Piglet or Pete Waterman.

 

[riceuten]

Mainly because they don't care. I've just comeback from a holiday in northern France, where I used public transport extensively, and it's the same issue there.

 

[al78]

Because being able to passive-aggressively tap a sign is surprisingly effective. It's the usual British method of "enforcing" a quiet coach. It removes the "but it's OK" argument, leaving only the "I'm a bad person and I'm going to do what I like anyway" one which fewer people will use.

The Dutch and Germans are into displaying "house rules"/"Hausregeln"/"Huisregel" at the entrance to just about everything, and it's a great idea. Notably the former Abellio TOCs do it to some extent too.

I'm skeptical unless I see it working for myself. The UK population is American in its mentality, not European, so what works on the continent is not a good guide as to what will work here.

 

[Wolfie]

I'm skeptical unless I see it working for myself. The UK population is American in its mentality, not European, so what works on the continent is not a good guide as to what will work here.

I've heard that second sentence before and would beg to differ. In terms of most societal issues Brits have way more in common with your average French or German person than your average someone from the US.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've heard that second sentence before and would beg to differ. In terms of most societal issues Brits have way more in common with your average French or German person than your average someone from the US.

Indeed I'd say the Europeans we're most similar to culturally are the Dutch.

 

[Wolfie]

Indeed I'd say the Europeans we're most similar to culturally are the Dutch.

Perhaps with a leavening of Scandinavian.

 

[yorksrob]

I'm skeptical unless I see it working for myself. The UK population is American in its mentality, not European, so what works on the continent is not a good guide as to what will work here.

I'm not convinced of that. I suspect the British population is more European than North American in outlook (whether it cares to admit it or not).

 

[al78]

I'm not convinced of that. I suspect the British population is more European than North American in outlook (whether it cares to admit it or not).

The British and their exceptionalism

Few countries have allowed their sense of exceptionalism to damage their interests in the way Britain is doing. British overconfidence is unjustified and will come at a heavy price.

www.cer.eu

"The British are less euro-centric than many other Europeans. They are generally less anti-American and more likely to move to non-European countries to work."

You can also look at the individualism, car culture (some of the most congested roads in Europe), poor and underfunded public transport outside of niche regions such as London, decades of voting for low tax governments which starve public services, a toxic media which tries to stir up hatred and frame as much negativity as possible on immigrants combined with a public that largely laps it up and accepts anything that stimulates fluffy feelings because they can't be bothered to engage in critical thinking, and governments which have favoured private over public as examples of leaning towards American mentality. That is before we get into things like the dreadful COVID response and widespread denial because individual freedom is more important than collective responsibility.

 

[yorksrob]

The British and their exceptionalism

Few countries have allowed their sense of exceptionalism to damage their interests in the way Britain is doing. British overconfidence is unjustified and will come at a heavy price.

www.cer.eu

"The British are less euro-centric than many other Europeans. They are generally less anti-American and more likely to move to non-European countries to work."

You can also look at the individualism, car culture (some of the most congested roads in Europe), poor and underfunded public transport outside of niche regions such as London, decades of voting for low tax governments which starve public services, a toxic media which tries to stir up hatred and frame as much negativity as possible on immigrants combined with a public that largely laps it up and accepts anything that stimulates fluffy feelings because they can't be bothered to engage in critical thinking, and governments which have favoured private over public as examples of leaning towards American mentality. That is before we get into things like the dreadful COVID response and widespread denial because individual freedom is more important than collective responsibility.

At the same time, the British are far more in favour of socialised health care and less in favour of concreting over the countryside than their American counterparts.

I also note that our Continental neighbours aren't immune to negative feelings towards migrants either.

As for covid, we've a whole thread on that, however there are good reasons for questioning blindly following the actions of a communist dictatorship whose primary motivation is remaining in power.

I think some sections of the British public have an exceptional talent for self-flagellation at times though.

 

[JamesT]

At the same time, the British are far more in favour of socialised health care and less in favour of concreting over the countryside than their American counterparts.

I also note that our Continental neighbours aren't immune to negative feelings towards migrants either.

As for covid, we've a whole thread on that, however there are good reasons for questioning blindly following the actions of a communist dictatorship whose primary motivation is remaining in power.

I think some sections of the British public have an exceptional talent for self-flagellation at times though.

I think the Orwell quote from England Your England seems quote apt:

In intention, at any rate, the English intelligentsia are Europeanized. 
They take their cookery from Paris and their opinions from Moscow. In the 
general patriotism of the country they form a sort of island of dissident 
thought. England is perhaps the only great country whose intellectuals 
are ashamed of their own nationality. In left-wing circles it is always 
felt that there is something slightly disgraceful in being an Englishman 
and that it is a duty to snigger at every English institution, from horse 
racing to suet puddings. It is a strange fact, but it is unquestionably 
true that almost any English intellectual would feel more ashamed of 
standing to attention during ‘God save the King’ than of stealing from a 
poor box. All through the critical years many left-wingers were chipping 
away at English morale, trying to spread an outlook that was sometimes 
squashily pacifist, sometimes violently pro-Russian, but always 
anti-British.

 

[yorkie]

Does anyone have anything to add on the topic of Why do some passengers not get how annoying it is to play music and videos out loud?, or are we done here?

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Does anyone have anything to add on the topic of Why do some passengers not get how annoying it is to play music and videos out loud?, or are we done here?

I'm glad someone's getting this thread back on topic!

Personally I can see both sides. On the one hand, if you're having a bad day and someone next to you starts yelling into their phone or playing Tick Tock videos it can be irritating. On the other hand, getting annoyed at the behaviour of others is a personal choice and there are strategies you can employ to filter out unwanted noise. Simply focussing on your own breathing, or repeating a mantra to yourself such as "I am calm and I am relaxed" can work wonders in blanking it out.

Or if all else fails you can just put on your own headphones!

 

[williamn]

I'm skeptical unless I see it working for myself. The UK population is American in its mentality, not European, so what works on the continent is not a good guide as to what will work here.

Having lived in the U.S. I think we’re far closer to Europeans in our mentality, even if we don’t realise it.

I think more signage to point to would be a great help. If memory serves correctly there are a grand total of 2-3 signs in the Avanti quiet coach - I don’t see why it couldn’t be on every window and / or seat back.

 

[yorksrob]

Or if all else fails you can just put on your own headphones!

Works every time.

 

[trainophile]

I know this will be unpopular with the parents amongst us, but we find it very stressful when children are allowed to shout and shriek without the accompanying adults asking/telling them to pipe down!

I’d have thought instilling a level of respect for others at a young age would be a good start for their future lives.

 

[Barry169]

The British and their exceptionalism

Few countries have allowed their sense of exceptionalism to damage their interests in the way Britain is doing. British overconfidence is unjustified and will come at a heavy price.

www.cer.eu

"The British are less euro-centric than many other Europeans. They are generally less anti-American and more likely to move to non-European countries to work."

You can also look at the individualism, car culture (some of the most congested roads in Europe), poor and underfunded public transport outside of niche regions such as London, decades of voting for low tax governments which starve public services, a toxic media which tries to stir up hatred and frame as much negativity as possible on immigrants combined with a public that largely laps it up and accepts anything that stimulates fluffy feelings because they can't be bothered to engage in critical thinking, and governments which have favoured private over public as examples of leaning towards American mentality. That is before we get into things like the dreadful COVID response and widespread denial because individual freedom is more important than collective responsibility.

That is before we get into things like the dreadful COVID response and widespread denial because individual freedom is more important than collective responsibility.

The COVID response, certainly at the beginning, was much more authoritarian than in Europe.

I lived there and at no time were we stopped going out for a walk or sunbathing for as long as we wanted. No helicopters hunting people down people miles from anyone else.

And there was no widespread "denial". Very very few denied COVID was a thing, just objected to the hysteria and the OTT fascistic response.

 

[JamesT]

The COVID response, certainly at the beginning, was much more authoritarian than in Europe.

I lived there and at no time were we stopped going out for a walk or sunbathing for as long as we wanted. No helicopters hunting people down people miles from anyone else.

And there was no widespread "denial". Very very few denied COVID was a thing, just objected to the hysteria and the OTT fascistic response.

“Europe” is quite a wide area. France had a form you had to fill in before leaving the house. I’d argue that’s far more authoritarian than anything the UK implemented.

 

[Barry169]

“Europe” is quite a wide area. France had a form you had to fill in before leaving the house. I’d argue that’s far more authoritarian than anything the UK implemented.

True.

 

[lachlan]

I'm glad someone's getting this thread back on topic!

Personally I can see both sides. On the one hand, if you're having a bad day and someone next to you starts yelling into their phone or playing Tick Tock videos it can be irritating. On the other hand, getting annoyed at the behaviour of others is a personal choice and there are strategies you can employ to filter out unwanted noise. Simply focussing on your own breathing, or repeating a mantra to yourself such as "I am calm and I am relaxed" can work wonders in blanking it out.

Or if all else fails you can just put on your own headphones!

I wouldn't say it's a personal choice - it can be very hard to ignore certain noises, especially for neurodiverse people. But yes if all else fails thankfully we now have noise cancelling headphones. Really though it should be people making noise that are wearing headphones!

 

[TUC]

I'm glad someone's getting this thread back on topic!

Personally I can see both sides. On the one hand, if you're having a bad day and someone next to you starts yelling into their phone or playing Tick Tock videos it can be irritating. On the other hand, getting annoyed at the behaviour of others is a personal choice and there are strategies you can employ to filter out unwanted noise. Simply focussing on your own breathing, or repeating a mantra to yourself such as "I am calm and I am relaxed" can work wonders in blanking it out.

Or if all else fails you can just put on your own headphones!

But why should we have to put on our own headphones when we're trying to have a normal conversation with family or friends? It's the other person who is being pig ignorant, not us.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

I just experienced a 10-minute delay at Three Bridges station, on thé 9S57 1853 Cambridge to Brighton service.
The driver made an announcement to request that ‘the young gentleman in the first class at the front of the train please turn his very loud music off, or this train will not be going anywhere’.
After about a minute, the train started to move, then abruptly stopped again whilst still largely in the platform. It’s obvious the oik must have thought he was clever and restarted the music.
After about 5 minutes, 2 Travel Safe officers and a GTR employee entered the train through the rear cab (behind where I was sat) and started to walk down the train to apprehend said oik.
Hundreds of people delayed, but it’s good to see some firm action taken.
I support the driver 100%. They cannot drive a train safely with their concentration shot to pieces. Imagine if they were to pass a signal at danger and fatalities ensued…