As someone who takes the bus into the city every day I have grown to adopt certain habits and mannerisms.  I also notice the habits of other people.  I felt it was the right time to compile a list on what not to do when travelling on Dublin Bus.

1- Don’t play music out loud.

If I wanted to listen to music on the bus, I would have brought my own earphones.  A quiet bus is not an open invitation for you to take out your phone or iPod and start playing your music for the whole bus to hear.  Also, just because you are wearing earphones, doesn’t mean you can listen to your music as loud as you want.  If I can hear your music, through your headphones, and even worse, through my headphones, it’s a sign you need to turn it down.

2- Don’t be obnoxiously loud on the phone.  

By all means, have a conversation or phone-call.  No one will have a problem with that.  The problem arises when everyone else can hear every single word you say in this conversation, no matter where they are sitting.  It’s a bus; not O’Connell Street, you don’t need to project your voice.

3- Don’t take up a full seat during peak times.

During peak times, passengers are usually heading to or from work or college.  Either way, they are probably tired and not looking for hassle.  The majority just want to find a seat and trudge along quietly.  Don’t be the person with your feet up or with your bag beside you on your seat.  The floor is a perfectly fine place to put them.

4- If it’s cold out, don’t open a window.

It’s a well-known fact that opening the window on a bus does absolutely nothing to cool you down.  However, the passengers in the rows behind you will know all about it. Sitting on a bus with Baltic winds blowing in your face can turn the most upbeat positive people into cynical grouches.  If it is cold outside, or even worse, raining, leave the windows closed.

5- Don’t light up a smoke.  

The other passengers don’t care how badly you need it.  Also, don’t try concealing it either.  Firstly, the smell of smoke will give you up straight away, and then, more than likely, the driver will stop the bus until you put it out.  If it’s one thing passengers hate more than sitting in traffic, it’s being delayed by someone on the bus itself.

6- Try to avoid eating.

I know sometimes it can be hard, but for the sake of the other people on the bus, please don’t eat something.  Now, some foods are acceptable, like sandwiches or rolls, but try not to eat something with a strong aroma (we’re looking directly at you Subway lovers).  The smell just fills the bus and makes everyone else jealous, or angry at you.

7. Observe personal space. 

If you sit down beside someone, remember, you’re sitting beside them.  You’re not sitting on their lap. It is a shared seat, a 50:50 split, not 60:40.