TORONTO – Whether early in the morning or after a long day at work or school, taking public transit to your reach your destination often guarantees you will experience or witness something that will leave you frustrated, annoyed or even disgusted.

While most of us don’t need to be—or shouldn’t need to be—reminded of how to behave on public transit, the days of feet on seats (no, it doesn’t matter if you take off your shoes and have clean socks) or over-sized backpacks knocking you over aren’t, well, behind us.

READ MORE: The good, the bad & the ugly – Share your transit commuter stories

So, here’s a lighthearted list on how to brush up on your public transit etiquette.

Tip #1: Stop speaking so loudly. Simple rule: If people sitting or standing more than five feet away from you in a crowded bus and can clearly hear your entire conversation about why you broke up with Sue (or why she broke up with you), YOU ARE SPEAKING TOO LOUDLY. This rule applies doubly if you happen to be sitting in a designated “quiet zone.”

Tip #2: Don’t clip your fingernails, brush your teeth, pick your nose, etc. You live a busy life, we know. But under (almost) no circumstance should you conduct any personal hygiene routines on the subway, train or bus. This includes (but is not limited to):

Nail clipping

Brush your teeth

Flossing

Picking your nose with your fingers

Picking your ears with your fingers

Picking anything on your skin with your fingers

Nail clipping. Yes, we have to write this one twice

Please do this stuff in a bathroom, preferably the one at home.

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Please leave the nail clipping to the privacy of your home. AP Photo

Tip #3: Stop blaring music too loudly from your headphones. If someone is sitting next to you—or several feet away— this individual may not necessarily want to hear Justin Bieber attempt to rap or your favourite club hits from the 90s.

But, more importantly, hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to loud music is real.

A 2010 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that hearing loss in adolescents in the United States increased by about 30 per cent between 1998 and 2006.

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Tip #4: Walk on the left, stand on your right. Following this simple rule makes taking the escalator a pleasant trip for everyone. If you are taking the stairs, whether you are walking up or down, please keep to your right.

If you’re taking the stairs, stay to your right. AP Photo

Tip #5: Be polite. If someone accidentally almost knocks you over with their over-sized luggage but apologizes, besides cursing at them, “What do you carry in that thing, anyway?” accept their apology and move on. Take a cue from that Frozen theme song every kid you know won’t stop singing: Let it Go.

Whether you take the bus, train or streetcar, public transit is not your home. Respect it and those that take it with you. You may just enjoy your daily commute more often!

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