Whether it's 'double bagging,' 'bare beating,' or 'seat sliding,' there are plenty of commuter habits that wind us up on our way into work. But there's one that trumps them all: 'premature loading' – the infuriating habit of boarding a train without letting other passengers off first.
A staggering 90% of commuters find it annoying, according to one YouGov survey, including 60% who find it 'very' annoying. It's particularly jarring during rush hour, when you risk missing your stop if a premature loader blocks the path of your exit. Not to mention how annoying it is for those patiently waiting on the platform for their turn to board.
Tube etiquette campaigns through the years
Premature loading is a persistent problem. In the past, Transport for London has run campaigns reminding people to consider the holy Tube etiquette. In the 1970s, Pink Panther-style cartoon posters urged passengers: 'When waiting for your train please let people off first.'
Then, in 2008, TfL rolled out directional floor markings, designed to encourage people to prioritise passengers disembarking the train. More recently, in 2014, TfL spotlighted poems penned by passengers in a bid to improve commuter behaviour.
One, which won the under-18s category, read: 'You should try not to push or squeeze, for sometimes all you have to do is say please. Although your delays might be slight, you may stop people getting to their families that night. Even if you are trying to be polite, try not to make spaces too tight.'
Etiquette expert: 'It's a practicality thing'
As etiquette expert Jo Hayes tells Metro, barging onto the Tube instead of letting others off first is 'poor.' She says: 'It's a practicality thing as much as a politeness thing. It makes for a far smoother process to step back and give exiting passengers plenty of room to get off, before getting on.'
'I remind people of the golden rule for life, which applies to Tube etiquette as it does in all areas: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. When we are the ones exiting the Tube, we all appreciate people standing back and giving us room. Be courteous and do the same for others.'
Londoners 'sick' of it on Reddit
'Premature loaders' have also been the subject of heavy discussion over on the r/London Subreddit – and Londoners are absolutely 'sick' of it. 'We need a public information campaign to stop this pandemic now. What is wrong with people?' @u/Sad-Peace wrote, while @ctrlrgsm said it 'really brings out the worst in me.' They added: 'I've started elbowing people. I hate the villain I've become.'
