'These people are a******s': Post about 'quiet carriage' sparks debate

A reddit user has ignited an online debate over the best way to approach people who ignore signs on public transport.

An image of a woman using her mobile phone in a designated “quiet carriage” on a Brisbane train was recently posted on a forum with the caption “these people are a******s and obviously should learn to read!”

In the image, the woman is sitting directly under signs advising passengers to “please refrain from loud conversations, use of loud music and mobile phones.”

The image instantly ruffled feathers with users responding to the original poster asking why they didn’t approach the passenger at the time and ask her to observe the sign.

“If it p***** you off, tap her shoulder and let her know,” one person responded.

“Don’t let them get away with it. They just get worse. A tap on the shoulder and ‘this is a quiet carriage, can you please get off your phone’ is what is required,” another said.

There was also debate over the context of the sign.

“Its a quiet zone, not a total silence zone, a conversation at normal volume does not breach any of those rules,” a reddit user said.

“Still seems strange to me that people always sit directly under a sign saying something along the lines of ‘please be quiet’ with no intention of being quiet whatsoever,” another added.

Although reddit users couldn’t seem to agree on the correct etiquette in a quiet carriage, Queensland Rail ask passengers travelling in quiet carriages to “refrain from having loud conversations, using mobile phones and noisy musical devices”.

And while there are no penalties for having a conversation in a quiet carriage, Queensland Rail encourages all customers to respect those who may wish to take advantage of the service.

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