is it decent to eat and drink beverages in public transit systems?

Question

I found in New York buses and Metro trains people eating Burgers,Rolled meats/vegetables,coffee,tea etc.People so much conscious about table manners, how they so openly eat and drink in presence of others?is it etiquette?

Answer 1

It's best not to eat in public transit systems. Bits of food left over will attract pests and it's not a pleasant sight to be seen attacking a burger in public. Hot coffee or tea might be spilled on other people and attract lawsuits.

Answer 2

Here in the Netherlands most busses have a 'no food' rule but the trains don't, and it's generally accepted to eat on the train. I think it makes sense for several reasons. Bus journeys usually are pretty short here so there's really no need to eat, there is far less room and there is also less room for trash cans, and last of all the bus often makes more abrupt moves causing a greater chance of spills, either on the seat or on fellow passengers.

Train journeys are often a bit longer -when traveling all the way from Groningen to Maastricht, over four hours, I can imagine someone getting hungry or thirsty-, you have much more room there -often there's a little table and every table has a trash can underneath-, they move less abruptly so there's less chance of a spill.

I don't think it's rude to eat in the presence of others if you don't spill stuff on them, or take more room than your share, and if you pick up your trash. We're often on the road all day long, it's not always practical to take a break sitting in a restaurant for half an hour when you can also keep moving.

Answer 3

Where I live, you're not *supposed* to eat or drink on buses and trains but many do it anyways. I think burgers take it a bit far because you could gross someone out - but if you're eating chips or having a drink/coffee, it's okay as long as you don't leave your trash on the floor!

Answer 4

I think it's rude as well. Besides, in many cities (like my own), eating on the bus or Metro is against the law and you could get a ticket.

I never really thought about how rude it was until I visited Tokyo, Japan where it's extremely rude to eat while walking or driving. I tend to agree, though, that it's rather distasteful.