Manners and the downfall of polite society.

As part of my working week and by necessity at other times I have to rely on public transport. On average this means four buses a day Monday-Friday and maybe one or two buses or a train at weekends. The people that I encounter are, in the main, quiet and polite but there has always been a minority I cannot stomach. Recently the percentage of people that get right on my tits (for want of a better phrase) seems to have at least doubled. A few fundamental rules for users of public transport and those who see fit to venture from their homes and into the general public domain follow:

-When you ask a person employed in the public service industry for anything, no matter how minor or insignificant, say please. If and when the service you requested is fulfilled to your satisfaction, say thank you.

-When boarding or alighting a bus or train, consider your fellow passengers and especially those traveling in the opposite direction. For those among you uninitiated in the basic laws of physics, the following may help: "Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it. and "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction". I am not sure how many times Newton caught the bus in Leeds when he was coming up with his first and third laws but reading between the lines I reckon it was a fair few.
Basically, the poor bastards already on the vehicle who want to alight are unable to do so until you step aside and let them. This problem is compounded if, in your selfish desire to clamber aboard, you actually do so before they have the chance to get off. This Clash of The Traveling Titans is easily avoided by simply not being an impatient Fuckwit.

-Any and all persons traveling with an infant and it's required accessories take precedent over you if you are not. This means letting them do what they need to (and letting them do it first, utilizing as much physical space as they require) in order to get where they are going. There exists also the possibility of offering them help if they look as though they may need it. I know this person is a stranger to you but think about it: you were a baby once and you probably have a fair amount of respect and protectiveness as regards your parents, so recall how it feels when someone acts in a disrespectful manner towards them and react accordingly.

-The designated seats for the old and infirm are at the front of the bus for a reason. Old people and (interestingly) ageing skateboarders have imparted to me on numerous occasions the knowledge that the first bodily indication of old age is when your knees fail. It's totally cool to sit in these seats, but give them up if they are needed. For old people I mean, not skateboarders. Fuck them, they knew what they were getting into when they started throwing themselves down ten-sets although they will probably give their seat up for you in a heartbeat.
You will be old one day if you are lucky. You may experience people who are rude and inconsiderate. Don't make yourself a part of somebody else's suffering during the Autumn of their years.

-Music is great, we are as humans the only species that understands it and enjoys it. We all like what we like but I fully do not like what you like. Keep it to yourself by wearing a pair of headphones. I prefer reading a good book when traveling but I have never felt the need to stand up during my journey and read the fucker out loud to my fellow commuters. Please afford me the same courtesy, as sped up versions of classic songs with a fine, pumping beat are not really my cup of tea. Please also refrain from putting on "some more Akon or 50 cent" (although if you have the unreleased 50cent album The Power Of The Dollar, made before he was shot and when he could actually rap, please do as it is dope and I would welcome it with open ears) .

All of the above goes some way to making my life a tiny bit easier in all sorts of ways. I am convinced that The Business Man, random idiots and 15 year old scally cap-perchers will all be reading this at some juncture so I invite them to take heed and ask that we all just get along.