Why doesn't anyone talk on the tube?

Question

I was recently on holiday in London, and I noticed that no one (no one except Americans and us Canadians) talks on the tube. Even people who know each other don't seem to chat. Whyever not? Are my friends and I being rude by chatting each other up?

Answer 1

I do.
But like someone else said we don't want people listening into our conversations. And also is *everyone* if talking to their friends on the tube it's going to get very noisy and loud and not very pleasant. I think its just a more relaxing and calm enviroment if people don't talk much when someone is on their way to work, way home from work, reading a book etc

Answer 2

We British lack social skills, sadly, and consequently we display anti-social tendencies in a misguided effort to cover up our deficiency. Not talking on the Tube is just one example. On mainline trains it's worse - people want a double seat for themselves. Some passengers deliberately take an aisle seat in order to discourage anyone seeking to squeeze past to get to the window seat. Another trick is to put a holdall or jacket etc. on an adjacent seat, as though the seat is being kept for someone else.

On the Tube we bury our noses in newspapers or books, and avoid all eye contact with fellow passengers. If someone does start talking we immediately start thinking: "What do they want? Is it money?? Are they trying to recruit me into a cult???"

It's particularly so in London. But you will notice a difference away from the capital. I lived in Milton Keynes, just 60 miles to the north, and in that town strangers, walking past each other, greet: "Good morning" or "Hello". Bus drivers are thanked by passengers as they get off. Try doing all that in London, and you won't get a response, you'll be looked at like you are deranged.

You and your friends are not being rude. It's the Londoners who are rude - try asking them for directions, and you'll see! I think we should all make a concerted effort to get people talking again. I do on occasions, but it's hard work to get anything other than a monologue going.

Answer 3

Your right, but i dont know why whenever i am with friends on the tube we dont talk maybe its because its so noisy that it will take 5 attempts to get a sentence out and we are too lazy. Also if you talk to your mates on the tube i have found that people look at you strange as if you are scheming something bad.

The "tube" is the london underground network similar to the metro

Answer 4

i used 2 use the district, & central lines & i've heard very many ppl discussing extremely private things on the tube, either with friends or on their fones, & u get the occasional overly amorous pair fondling e/o when they think no one's watching & infact EVERYONE is watching, but yes, the London transport system is generally quite a lonely place. I feel particularly sad for the London bus drivers when i compare then with their Liverpool equivalent 'cos they just commute with ppl & no one talks to them, as if they're part of the bus's cogs or sumthin' whereas liverpudlian drivers say anything with their passengers & they get thank yous when passengers alight as well...

Answer 5

Because if you sit there in silence you can listen to loud mouthed canadians and americans talking total crap. It's the best bit about travelling on the tube. I like to count how many times I can hear 'Oh My God' and 'Whatever'

Answer 6

The only ones who talk on the tube are the ones with imaginary friends.

Answer 7

lol, it's true though isn't it!..it's because everyone 'else' is so quiet on the train that IF you talked everyone else would listen in to your conversation....Also the fact that it's early morning and u just don't want to be bothered, or on your way home after work and your tired. No you and your friends aren't being rude.
And the big one is that no one trusts anyone anymore, so people choose to ignore...

Answer 8

It's a question of personal space/body language. By not speaking or making eye contact when they're crowded together, people are tacitly excusing themselves for being in another's personal space when they have no choice in the matter. If they speak, it could be misinterpreted as being overly familiar, or even aggressive.

Answer 9

ha ha ha. you don't know the londoner's code. we have a rule on the tube. listen (it's not too hard, they speak so loudly) for the North American.

you guys get to our country and then talk some real sh+t on our public transport. we like listening and looking at each other and trying to make each other laugh with the rubbish you talk so loud we can hear it three carriages down.

Answer 10

If I am travelling by myself its because I usually have no idea who the people next to me are and am not interested in them for the 5 to 10 min we are together. Also there are so many nutters about that I'd rather not chance it.