Red, I saw plenty of pictures with guys sleeping in the Tokyo subway, and I never quite understood – aren’t you afraid you oversleep and miss your station?

common sense

I’ve pulled backpacks off people on crowded trains, it’s not fair and not on.

evil comments! but why?

[...] très bons conseils sont dispensés cette semaine par Hack of the day (en anglais), d’autres sont plus [...]

I hate the digg audience. A bunch of punk 20 year olds who still borrow* money from Daddy.

*AKA take.

These are the most asocial recommendations one could make for a commute in a crowded subway. If you see a free space let someone who is underpriviledged in comparison to you use it, doesn’t need to be someone handicapped, but an old lady, or an old man, or just someone who looks more tired than you. Of course, one is entitled to travelling sitting once in a while, but that shouldn’t keep you from taking your context into account.
And as for the “vital space” argument, that is complete an utter evolutionist bullshit. You are perfectly capable, as a cultured human being, living in modern society, to discern between those moments when you can use space freely, and the situations when it is best to just cope with your environment.
As for the alpha male point, I don’t need to repeat myself. You are not Tarzan, you are not living in the jungle. Others commuting with you are just like you, people trying to get somwhere on time. Make it easyer on yourselves, behave in such a way that makes it more bareble to all of you.

What Ignacio said. Learn to live in the city, it’s about cooperation. Here’s an idea for another post: Hack the crowded sidewalk: never give way, just walk on, if somebody gets in your way, walk over them. And remember to look alphamanly about it. How about it?

[...] vast majority are dirty, crowded, hot, sweaty and smell.  Website hacktheday has some great travel advice on how to survive that subway trip from [...]

Please take bags off and keep the between your feet – it makes more space yet the wider legs ensure space

these hacks are ridiculous. obviously this will never work on a really crowded subway. My advice: Just deal with it. Posing and strutting as the ‘alpha male’ is just ridiculous. And reading while standing, holding yourself up straight with one hand on a jumpy train surrounded by people talking? The commutes aren’t that long to allow for a half dozen pages at best, another ridiculous idea. Just breathe in a calm way, relax and keep your mobile and wallet in your front pockets.

All the other ‘hacks’ are nothing more than common sense, sorta. Man I’m getting tired of Lifehacker posting hacks which aren’t hacks: why don’t they stay out of the ‘body’ and mundane stuff hacks and stick to hacks which really increase productivity; there is no way to increase productivity in a crowded bus or subway.

[...] Survival hacks in crowded subways | psychology | Hack the Day (tags: lifehacks) [...]

Try listening to music. It works for me, at least giving me something to hear other than annoying conversations (thank goodness cellphones don’t work in the NYC subway) and the screaching of the old subway cars in the tunnels.

I am allergic to dust and some other airbone particles. I’m likely to get an irritated nose and eyes on crowded trains. I thought I would gain some advice from reading this article. Unfortunately it’s useless to me.

Currently, I don’t take a seat on crowded trains even if I can. I prefer to stand, especially beside the door. The door usually has vents that allow fresh air to flow in for me to breathe. At every station, if the door beside me opens, I would just go out, take the opportunity to breathe in the air, and go back inside the train and stand beside the door.

However, most of the newer trains do not have air vents. The only source of air is the air conditioners. The problem with air conditioners is that if they are not clean, they trigger my allergies probably because of the dust. In this case, the best option would be to stand on top and in front of the stairs that lead to the upper or lower level of the carraige. Since the next person’s head level will be lower than mine (the stairs are going down), I will have better breathing space.

The trains I refer to are the ones in Sydney, Australia.

In general these tricks are handy, except for the trick with the backpack(in general try not to bring anything to the subway, except for yourself, and if you absolutely have to, just take a cab ). But i still think that the tactics FOLI (First Out Last In) described by De5thWavE is much better(and it really works in really crowded subway).

Wow.. This has to be the one of the most self centered hacks out there. The thing that makes crowded subways problematic are the people that only care about themselves- apparently like the author of the hack.

“The nice trick here is that you don’t really have to BE a dangerous fellow. In order to maximize your vital space and push the crowd back, all it takes is to look powerful and confident. Not to mention you will probably hook up with some girls along the way – everyone loves a secure and confident guy.”

So do you think women don’t ride the subway or do you just intend this advice only for secure and confident guys?

“…you are actually making THEM feel uncomfortable..”

you could also, call this article “How to be a wanker, in a few easy steps!”

My advice is to get a job that operates slightly off-hours. No need to be rude when you have to get to work at 10 and leave at 6.

Hi. I saw your name and read your post, and am impressed. You seem to be a righteous man. If you would like to meet for some toast, you can find me among the Sordos.
-Encarnacion (mi apodo)

These are the most asocial recommendations one could make for a commute in a crowded subway. If you see a free space let someone who is underpriviledged in comparison to you use it, doesn’t need to be someone handicapped, but an old lady, or an old man, or just someone who looks more tired than you. Of course, one is entitled to travelling sitting once in a while, but that shouldn’t keep you from taking your context into account.
And as for the “vital space” argument, that is complete an utter evolutionist bullshit. You are perfectly capable, as a cultured human being, living in modern society, to discern between those moments when you can use space freely, and the situations when it is best to just cope with your environment.
As for the alpha male point, I don’t need to repeat myself. You are not Tarzan, you are not living in the jungle. Others commuting with you are just like you, people trying to get somwhere on time. Make it easyer on yourselves, behave in such a way that makes it more bareble to all of you.
____________________________________________________________________________

While I’m not 100% with the suggestions in the post, a lot of the comments seem to be making the mistaken assumption that other commuters are not performing obnoxious actions of their own (at least mistaken on my subway line in NY, where it happens often enough to run into such a person every other ride or so).

Not letting others abuse your personal space too greatly and/or not going to extreme lengths to allow others easy access to a crowded train is less a selfish act and more simple matter of standing up for yourself in an environment where it’s not terribly unlikely to find folks ready to exploit your helpfulness.

Similarly comments about how awful this behavior is when confronted with the very pregnant/elderly/invalid is misleading as, by and large, those aren’t the folks on during commuter hours. Generally you’re dealing with able bodied 20-50 year olds who put with the same work day you will.

Some good advise is in there too, the middle of trains away from the doors are often less crowded. Also, subway cars are often crowded in their relation to how far they are from entrances/exits at heavily used stations (i.e. the end cars in most NY subways are often empty, however the downtown 2-3 is an exception due to exit on the uptown end of the platform at Times Square). You only need to run a commute for 1-2 weeks and it’s pretty easy to figure out those sorts of patterns if you pay attention.

@Nick

“a lot of the comments seem to be making the mistaken assumption that other commuters are not performing obnoxious actions of their own”

So we should do the same? That’s not what makes a civil society.

These just won’t work if you travel the same route every day. You’ll definitely piss off someone who is looking for a fight and create bigger problems for yourself and your fellow travelers. Over time you will be the asshole the others on the train resent.

I can’t believe they were written by someone who has lived for any period of time in a large city.

Here’s what works for me in NYC, in London, in Boston, in DC and in Chicago (places I travel regularly and use public transportation regularly).

Carry a book or magazine
Move away from the doors until a stop or two before you have to get off
Keep your elbows down
Keep packages or backpacks in front of you and close to your body
Avoid eye contact
Be courteous
If someone takes up too much space or acts aggressively, calmly and intentionally move away from them.

If you are still frightened or uncomfortable after taking these precautions, you don’t belong on public transportation. Walk or take a cab – you and everyone around you will be happier.

Agree. These are ridiculous. I’ve ridden transit in Buenos Aires, Mexico City, and Europe, and there’s plenty of unspoken courteous rules which keep everyone on the same level even while in a hot and crowded subway. As the above poster said being an arrogant ass will not make for a pleasant trip, or hopefully get you pickpocketed.

Also don’t put your feet on the seats, and your crap doesn’t get it’s own seat on a crowded bus or train. If you can’t handle the crowds take a cab. Or do as I do most days and bike to work.

The beauty of a big city is lots of people moving and working together, regardless of social levels or how “alpha” they may be.

james http://www.futuregringo.com

Carry a can of extra strong lager with you, Special Brew or Super Tennats. People soon get out of your way for fear of you asking them for a pound to buy another can!!

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i dont know how 2 work it

[...] Avoid the doors on the train: If you’re on the train for more than one station, move towards the center where less people will be. [...]