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The butler is in: 9 tips for travel etiquette

Cody MacKay | CBC News | Posted: August 2, 2017 2:00 PM | Last Updated: August 2, 2017

'You probably have no idea that putting on a backpack turns you into Lethal Weapon 5'

Image | backpacker bracelet

Caption: Whether bus, plane or train, it's important to be aware and not be a nuisance to the people around you. (Shutterstock / lipik)

John Robertson is back and flipping the script this week — rather than the regular "dos and don'ts," he's asking people to take notes and consider the following nine ideas for travel etiquette, wherever you may roam.

1. Take only what you need

"Consider the idea of not taking up additional seats with your luggage and your bags when on a bus or a train. Use the racks."

Image | John Robertson

Caption: Smelly food never works well in a confined space and neither do smelly feet, says John Robertson. (Submitted by John Robertson)

2. Keep your feet on the floor

"Consider the idea of not putting your feet on the seats in front or beside you, and keep your children's feet off the seats too."

3. Be aware of the folks around you

"Smelly food doesn't go over well in a confined space, whether it's the office or in a bus or train," Robertson said.
"Please leave it behind and take your litter with you when you get off."

4. Consider this: 'Scent-free travel'

Leave the cologne and perfume at home, Robertson said. "It can be overwhelming."

5. Be prepared for security checks

"When flying, consider the idea of being prepared in the lineup for security. Have your liquids separated and be prepared to remove your shoes and belt."

Image | GERMANY-LUFTHANSA

Caption: Be ready for security checks by having your passport ready, your belt and shoes off, and empty your pockets — anything less will undoubtedly cause delays. (Michaela Rehle/Reuters)

6. Take off the backpack

"Unless you're a regular backpacker, you probably have no idea that putting on a backpack turns you into Lethal Weapon 5 — when you're walking down the airplane aisle and you turn around you're knocking out people in front of you behind you."

7. Middle gets both armrests

"If it's three across, the person in the middle gets both armrests."
"If you're on the window you've got some shoulder room to move into the window, same if you're on the aisle, but that poor person in the middle has nowhere to go, they get the armrests for some comfort at least."

8. Leave the luggage carousel alone

"When you're at the luggage carousel, hang back five or six feet — wait until you see your luggage and then go get it."

9. Finally … the golden rule

"Don't talk politics with strangers."

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