Common sense in social settings is a lot less common than you may think. Not everyone was raised in the same household, with the same parents, or same set of values. Therefore, what you may consider rude in public, someone else may perceive as extremely normal. One of these social dilemmas is the idea of talking on the phone when you’re on a train. Is it rude to do so, or not so much? Let’s consider the factors.
Picture this scenario. It’s the end of a long day. You’re sitting on a crowded train, the light outside is dimming, and everyone’s exhausted after a long day. You could hear a needle drop if it fell. In this situation, yes, we believe that talking on the phone would be rude, especially if you do it loudly.
But if it’s daytime, and you’re on a train that’s bustling with people who are already talking to one another, there’s no reason you can’t “join in” by having a conversation of your own.
What do these two scenarios have in common? In both scenarios, they involve gauging the crowd and assessing whether or not the situation calls for your desired phone call. In the first scenario, if you have no choice but to take a call, at least do it quietly. Ultimately, the key takeaway is the importance of being aware of your surroundings, and having respect for your fellow neighbor.