Is it acceptable to speak loudly on public transportation?
The issue of behavior on public transportation is always particularly important for newcomers, as ignorance of local norms can lead to unpleasant situations or even conflicts. This is especially true for activities that are commonplace for many, such as talking on the phone or simply talking loudly with companions on buses and trains. In Calgary, as in most Canadian cities, there are both official rules and unwritten norms of etiquette that govern passenger behavior on public transportation.
Calgary Transit's official position
Calgary Transit, the municipal company that operates public transportation in the city, has a clear position on passenger behavior. Although there is no direct ban on talking on public transportation, the company actively promotes a culture of mutual respect and caution. Calgary Transit's official etiquette guide for passengers states that if you are on the phone on a bus or train, you should use a quiet voice so that others cannot hear your conversation.
The recommendation regarding phone calls is particularly noteworthy: “If you are on the phone, try to use a quiet voice so that other passengers cannot hear your conversation.” This rule is part of a general approach to creating a comfortable environment for all users of the transport system.
Calgary Transit also emphasizes the importance of following the rules regarding the volume of music played through headphones. If other passengers can hear your music through your headphones, it is too loud. This principle logically extends to conversations: if your voice can be heard more than a few meters away, it is too loud for public transportation.
Etiquette and behavior campaigns
Calgary Transit regularly conducts educational campaigns aimed at improving behavior on public transportation. One such campaign used animal characters to illustrate the most common etiquette violations. Among the most problematic behaviors was playing music too loudly on personal audio devices, but company representative Laura Marik noted that “phone chatterers” also cause problems, although some passengers even find them “quite entertaining.”
Interestingly, Calgary Transit uses various animal characters to demonstrate inappropriate behavior, including “Chatty Chihuahua,” who talks loudly on the phone, and “Disco Dog,” who listens to music at deafening levels. These images help to gently but effectively convey to passengers the importance of adhering to cultural norms of behavior.
Real-life passenger experiences
Numerous comments from Calgary Transit passengers on forums and social media confirm that loud conversations are indeed a problem. On Reddit, users regularly complain about people playing music without headphones or talking loudly on their phones. Passengers are particularly annoyed by those who talk on their phones on speakerphone while on public transport.
One forum user commented: “Stop playing your music loudly on the train, but people like that are selfish jerks who only care about themselves and their own enjoyment. But I encounter someone like that almost every day.” This emphasizes that loud behavior on public transportation is perceived by local passengers as a sign of disrespect for others.
Cultural context and Canadian politeness
It is important to understand that Canada in general, and Calgary in particular, has a strong culture of mutual politeness and respect for personal space. This is particularly noticeable on public transport, where people are forced to share a confined space with strangers. Canadians generally try to minimize their impact on those around them, which includes controlling the volume of their voice when talking.
Compared to some other cultures, where loud conversations in public places may be considered normal, Canadian culture favors a more restrained approach. This does not mean that talking is prohibited, but a moderate volume should be maintained so as not to disturb other passengers.
Practical recommendations for passengers
Public transportation etiquette experts recommend following a simple rule: if people sitting or standing more than five feet away from you on a crowded bus can clearly hear your entire conversation, you are talking too loudly. This rule applies doubly if you are in a designated “quiet zone,” although such zones are rare on Calgary Transit.
For phone calls, it is recommended that you:
- Use the quietest voice possible
- Keep conversations short
- If possible, postpone non-essential calls until you have exited the vehicle
- Avoid discussing personal or sensitive topics
When talking to companions, keep in mind that other passengers may not want to be an unwilling listener to your personal affairs. This is especially true for topics that contain profanity or overly intimate details of your personal life.
Complaint and monitoring system
Calgary Transit has a well-developed system for receiving complaints from passengers. Passengers can report breaches of etiquette or problematic behavior by sending a text message to 74100, which operates 24 hours a day and provides a direct link to transit staff. You can also call the general line at 403-262-1000.
It is important to understand that while loud conversations may annoy other passengers, they are rarely considered a serious violation requiring intervention by officials. Much more attention is paid to more serious issues such as aggressive behavior, vandalism, or safety violations.
Comparison with other Canadian cities
It is interesting to compare the situation in Calgary with other large Canadian cities. GO Transit in the Toronto area has run similar campaigns against “loud talkers,” identifying loud conversations as one of the most annoying forms of behavior for passengers. Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins noted, “Most of our customers follow the rules of etiquette. We are Canadians, after all.”
This underscores a Canada-wide tendency toward restraint and mutual respect on public transportation. All major Canadian cities have similar unwritten rules regarding the volume of conversations on public transportation.
Features of different modes of transport
There are two main modes of public transport in Calgary: buses and the C-Train (light rail transit). On buses, where passengers are in close proximity to the driver and to each other, quiet is especially important. Drivers may call out passengers who are disturbing others.
On C-Train trains, where there is more space and fewer passengers, the rules are somewhat more relaxed, but the basic principles of respect for others remain the same. It is worth noting that some train cars may have designated quiet zones for those who need extra silence, although this is not a common practice on Calgary Transit.
Impact of the pandemic and current trends
The COVID-19 pandemic has somewhat changed the culture of behavior on public transportation. People have become more conscious of their impact on other passengers, which includes not only physical distance but also acoustic space. Many passengers now wear masks, which can naturally make conversations a little quieter.
At the same time, the increased use of mobile devices and various apps has led to people making video calls or listening to content without headphones more often. Calgary Transit continues to work on educating passengers about the proper use of technology on public transportation.
Responsibility and consequences
Although there are no direct fines for loud talking on Calgary Transit, passengers may be warned or even removed from transit for behavior that causes significant inconvenience to others. In extreme cases, where loud behavior escalates to aggression or harassment, more serious measures may be taken, including a ban on using transit for up to 90 days.
Recent amendments to Calgary Transit's bylaws have added stricter penalties for verbal harassment, threats, and intimidation of transit operators, passengers, and staff, doubling the fine for such actions compared to other offenses. This underscores the city's commitment to creating a comfortable environment for all transit users.
So, in answer to the question of whether it is acceptable to talk loudly on Calgary public transportation, while it is not prohibited by law, it is contrary to local culture and etiquette. Passengers are advised to keep their voices down, be considerate of others, and respect their right to a peaceful journey. Understanding and following these unwritten rules will help newcomers integrate more quickly into Canadian society and avoid misunderstandings with other passengers.