Hushedtonesorsilencearespecifically
relevantonpublictransport,whereeven
phonesaremuted.However,it canalso
applyin restaurants.Andthere’snothing
morealienatingthanthesoundofclapping
duringa performanceorconcertwhere
applause is commonly saved for the finale.Unlessyou’reseatedin thefrontof
a taxi(discouragedif non-essential),
nevertrytoopentheautomatic
doors as they’re driver operated.Standbesidetraindoorstoallowpeopleto
exitbeforeboardingandfollowtheleader
onescalators– localswilltakea particular
side(varyingfromcitytocity),leaving
a lane free for emergencies.Whengesturingtowardssomething,
useanopenhand,withfingersglued
together as opposed to pointing.Thenon-verbalsignalusedfor“stop!”
or“don’tgothere”is an“X”made
withthearmsin frontofthetorso- theseriousnessofthesituation
clear by the messenger’s rigidity.
It’sfinetoenjoya bento(lunchbox)on
long-distancetrainjourneysbutavoideating
onthemoveotherwise– unlessata festival
orsimilar.If there’sa seatorbinlocated
by a snack stall, it’s there for a reason.TO AND FRO
62 GOURMET TRAVELLER