Jitney Etiquette Humor

Etiquette needs to be followed! —Should passengers rob their jitney driver? Should jitney drivers rob their passengers? 

Jitney Etiquette —Simple Rules for Beginners



EXPERTS on etiquette are being appealed to these days to give the rules for riding in jitney buses. Should the lady or gentleman passenger alight first? Should a married jitney driver permit unmarried and handsome young women to ride in the front seat with him ? Should passengers rob their jitney driver? Should jitney drivers rob their passengers?

Jitney ethics is quite a new branch of the subject of conduct, yet we see its rules violated every day. From police court to divorce court, jitney morals and jitney etiquette are being put to the test, and even the state legislature is dropping the idea of a tax on bachelors in favor of a tax on jitney drivers. Since the jitney operator only pays four or five taxes and licenses already, it is held better to put an added expense on him than on the bachelor, who seldom pays any kind of a tax and so isn’t used to the experience.

But to our many correspondents we give these admonitions:

• In alighting from a jitney, the gentleman should step out first, if he can do so without crushing the toes of the lady. 
• The superior court has decided that a jitney driver with a jealous wife should either force his lady passengers to ride on the back seat or be prepared to pay alimony. 
• In the matter of highway robbery, of or by jitney passengers, we think that anyone who would perpetrate such a crime is actuated more by wanton hope than by common sense.— Los Angeles Herald, 1915

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Girl Writes Jitney Etiquette Code

Miss Spencer says that she bases her “Jitney Etiquette” rules on common sense and a few of her own experiences. 

GIRL DRAWS CODE OF JITNEY ETIQUETTE FOR BUS PATRONS

To young girls who patronize the jitney buses, Miss Marvel Spencer, a pretty, young Los Angeles girl, has outlined a list of "don’ts," which she terms “Jitney Etiquette.” Miss Spencer says that she bases the rules on common sense and a few of her own experiences. 

A girl must never start a conversation with the driver of the machine, says Miss Spencer, for the reason that it is not proper and serves to distract the driver’s attention from the wheel. She goes farther and prohibits any conversation with men passengers. 

She warns young girls against crowding into a seat with men, and in a crowded car, sitting on the door. “Young girls may not know what they are doing when they violate my 'Jitney Etiquette’" said Miss Spencer today. "I have ridden many times in jitneys and know whereof I speak.

Here is a list of “Don'ts" for girls, who ride in jitney buses, suggested by Miss Spencer: 

• Don't talk to the driver. 
• Don’t crowd into a seat beside men. 
• Don’t sit on the door. 
• Don’t converse with men passengers. 
• Don't sit on anyone’s lap.

Miss Marvel Spencer who says she bases her five “Don’ts” on common sense and some personal experience. — Los Angeles Herald, 1915

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Paris Metro Etiquette

Paris’ public transport body has released a special “politeness” manual to reduce uncouth behaviour in the metro, with a list of “commandments” on how to improve civility from helping clueless tourists to ensuring body odour is not wafted around the carriage.

Arms should be kept by your side at all times on the Paris Metro

“In the context of a global theme of incivility on public transport,” reads the forward, RATP solicited ideas for a guide to manners for our times. From more than 2,000 entries, it culled a dozen ways to be polite, helpful, courteous and not a letch. The result: a clever, tongue-in-cheek 32-page e-book, filled with old-fashioned line drawings and commentary by local personalities.

The guide advises travelers not to play music loudly on the Metro 

The online "manual on savoir-vivre for the modern traveller" includes an array of tips split into four categories: "helpfulness", "courtesy", "manners" and "politeness", drawn up from among more than 2,000 suggestions from the general public.

The first "commandment" on the platform defines courtesy as "understanding that the huge crossed out cigarette on the platform is not a work of art but a ban on smoking".

The "manners" section invites Parisians to help out lost tourists "in Bermuda shirts with a metro map in one hand and the other hand in their hair". "It's worth losing two minutes of your time for a good cause if only to hear the (foreign) passenger struggle to pronounce (the metro stops) 'Trinité d'Estienne d'Orves' or 'La Motte Piquet-Grenelle'," the accompanying text says.

Staring at beautiful women is rude, the online Metro guide says 

• The key etiquette for the Paris Metro is:
• Not playing music too loudly through headphones
• Resisting the temptation to stare for a long time at beautiful women
• Holding back from starting a fight with someone who’s just stepped on your toes
• Loud phone conversations should also be avoided
• Old lady’s bags should be carried up stairs
• Armpits should be covered by arms and not exposed to the carriage
• Handkerchiefs not just used to wave someone off with, but to sneeze into.
• Last but not least – the Metro is not to be mistaken for a lavatory.

Click on link to read ‘Manuel du savoir-vivre à l’usage du voyageur moderne’ – or ‘politeness manual for the modern traveller’ - Paris metro bosses release 'politeness manual'

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia 

Canadian Transit Etiquette

Canadian Public Transit Etiquette

Share the Ride in Halifax-

Common courtesy never goes out of style. In today's world of eco-friendly travel, public transit is becoming a popular commuter option. It’s cost effective and convenient – but what about the experience on board?

Over the years, Metro Transit has heard of ‘bus buddies’ who meet on board our buses and ferries, and stories of chivalry, kindness, and even lifesaving encounters. Our customers want a safe, comfortable, and pleasant ride from point A to B; how can we work together to make sure this happens?
We can Share the Ride–

The Share the Ride campaign is intended to remind customers to exhibit good passenger etiquette on board our buses and ferries by highlighting key behaviours in a humourous way that may keep all passengers from enjoying their journey. Together, let's:

• Share the seats and space
• Be mindful of others around you
• Be courteous and respectful

By engaging in proper behaviour while onboard Metro Transit, we will all experience a better commute.

Share the Ride, not your Favourite Musk

• Please remember that some people are scent sensitive. Many people suffer from allergies to scented products so avoid wearing strongly scented perfumes on board our buses and ferries.

• Share the Ride, not your Baggage
• Please keep the seats next to you free for other passengers.
• Ensure you take up only one seat; bags should be placed on your lap or stowed under your seat. 
• Also, be aware of the designated courtesy seating intended for the elderly, mobility-impaired, pregnant women, and children. 

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Calgary Transit Etiquette

Etiquette on Transit

Taking transit means sharing space. Literally and figuratively, we're all in it together, so it's important that you treat your fellow riders with courtesy and respect. Even the simplest actions can ensure that everyone, including you, has a more positive transit experience.

In partnership with TransLink, Calgary Transit is launching an etiquette campaign to help promote courteous behaviour on public-transit. Every two months, a different ad will be placed in CTrains and buses to tackle a new passenger habit that could affect other riders.

 
1. Courtesy seating
Seats closest to the doors are for persons with disabilities and/or seniors. People appreciate you offering these seats to them. It's worth remembering that some people have disabilities that aren't always obvious. If someone asks you to give up a seat because they have a disability, please take their word for it.

    
2. Personal audio devices
If other people can hear music through your headphones – it's too loud. Just think about what all that excessive volume is doing to your eardrums. For yourself, and for those around you, please – keep it down.

    
3. Food & Drink
If you are going to eat or drink while riding the system, remember to keep it clean and don’t litter.

    
4. Cell phones
Unless you want to share your conversation with everyone around you, please keep your voice down. The microphone is only a few millimetres from your face - there's no need to yell.

    
5. Keep doorways clear
In order for people to get on the CTrain, people first need to be allowed to get off. Before you board, please stand back and allow passengers to exit.

When on the bus, the area around an exit door might look like a convenient place to lean, but standing there makes it difficult for people wanting to get off (and can be confusing for the driver). Please stand clear and allow people to exit easily.

   
6. Backpacks, luggage, grocery bags, & laptops
Your large bags can be a pain for people around you. Please remove your backpack and put it on the floor – especially when standing as it's easy to bump someone. If seating space is limited, ensure that your personal items are not taking away seats from other passengers. Does your bag really need its own seat?

    
7. Personal hygiene
Rush hour could mean having to be in close quarters with other passengers. Deodorant can make all the difference. But be mindful; many people suffer from allergies to certain scents. Please apply any perfumes and colognes sparingly.

   
8. Make room for others
Our system can get very busy during rush hour and we do not want to leave people behind. When boarding a bus, move towards the back to allow space for others. When on the CTrain, move towards the centre of the train.

    
9. Smoking
Smoking on Transit property is an offense and you can get fined (see Transit Bylaw 4M81, section 14).  Nobody likes second-hand smoke or seeing cigarette butts on the ground.

City of Calgary - Transportation Department - Calgary Transit