In any country there are both written and unwritten rules of etiquette that people are expected to follow while riding the subway. In many cases, these rules reflect some of the more unflattering quirks of that country’s people. In Japan, there are women-only commuter cars because some guys just can’t help themselves from recording up a girl’s skirt with their smartphone.
As China has been working to expand its subway network over the past few years, including a nearly 50% increase to the Beijing Subway that as made it the fourth longest metro system in the world, the country has developed its own brand of metro manners— or the complete lack thereof .
So just what kind of offenses do Chinese subway commuters have to endure on their train rides to and from work? A local newspaper in Tianjin, China’s fourth largest city, surveyed 894 people to find out what they think are the “most unforgivable subway manners.”
Take a look at the survey results below!
1. Spitting (681 votes)
2. Defecating in the train or in the station (661 votes)
3. Smoking on the train or in the station (581 votes)
4. Crowding onto the train without waiting in line (553 votes)
5. Bringing something stinky the train (519 votes)
6. Lying down across several seats (514 votes)
7. Bringing pets onto the train (451 votes)
7. Spitting out gum in the train (451 votes)
9. Throwing trash around the train (434 votes)
10. Throwing trash onto the tracks (415 votes)
So apparently this is actually a problem in China. Fantastic.
While we’re not too surprised that spitting made it to the top of the list, some of these are quite shocking. What exactly are people bringing onto trains that stinks so bad? Do people deliberately throw their trash onto the tracks like it’s some convenient municipal landfill?
It would be unfair to label also Chinese subway riders as unruly train defecators, however, so let’s take a look at some of the ” most decent manners” given by the survey respondents.
1. Yielding seats to the elderly, sick, handicapped or pregnant (670 votes)
2. Allowing people to get of the train before boarding (662 votes)
3. Picking up trash left on the train and throwing it away (442 votes)
4. Not letting children defecate in the train (384 votes)
5. Not taking highly-flammable objects, radioactive materials or explosives onto the train (347 votes)
Defecating on the train appears to be so much of a problem in China that people actually applaud it as “good manners” when someone stops their child from doing so. You told your boy to pull his pants up before dropping a deuce in public like a stray dog— have a sticker!
As for number 5, well, if that strange, offensive odor you smell on the train resembles almonds, you might want to get off at the next station.
If any of our readers have experienced any of these while riding on the subway in China (or any other country, for that matter), we’d love to hear your story in the comment below!
Source: Yahoo! Japan

A friendly reminder from Japan Rail to please refrain from spitting in the face of staff
Young People Speak Out: Recent Survey Suggests That Japan’s Older Generation’s Manners Stink
Taiwanese subway’s anime mascot wants you to mind your manners, watch out for the Hamburglar
Japan bad train manners survey reminds us of three things to watch out for while riding the rails
Japanese manners videos show how to be a “really cool” traveller in Japan 【Videos】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Studio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service music box to its anime merchandise shop in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Keep Gengar close to your heart with new black-coated Pokémon jewelry from U-Treasure
2024’s Pokémon Center Lucky Bag may have been the hardest to get, but also the most worthwhile
Does this egg timer from Japanese 100-yen store Daiso really work?
Shizuoka senior charged with firearms violation after giving toy guns to the police
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japan super budget dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at 7-Eleven?
Japanese toilets now measure fatigue levels at highway rest stops
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
15 rude things not to do on trains in Japan【Survey】
Video of foreign diplomat riding in Tokyo subway priority seat sparks manners debate【Video】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
50 things that surprised our writer when visiting China 【RocketExperience】
Leave a Reply