Abolish counter-productive ‘quiet’ carriages
I wish Chiltern Trains would either get rid of their ‘quiet’ coaches or do something to make them less appealing to noisy people.
There are always those who ignore the rules, which only serves to make other people indignant and angry. And let’s face it, few people are going to ask a hooded youth to turn his music down.
I avoid quiet coaches now because I’m happier dealing with legitimate noise than feeling like someone is selfishly invading my space.
Simply sticking a sign on the window (which actually is surprisingly easy to miss) isn’t going to deter people who don’t give a toss. Making the place feel more subdued – dim the lights, put curtains on the windows – would help.
And beds. Beds would be great. 
But as it stands, doing away with the quiet rule altogether would make journeys in those carriages a lot more tolerable.
vCard
Email
Audioboo
Delicious
Flickr
Google
Last.FM
LinkedIn
Tumblr
Twitter
Train companies are demonstrating a distinct lack of imagination when it comes to naming carriages with specific purposes. Philosophically speaking can a carriage ever really be “quiet?” A large sign emblazoned with the words, “People Thinking Here” would perhaps give others who are intent on being loud and annoying second thoughts about entering such a space.
Another option ought to be a sign that says clearly and distinctly, “If You Dare Play Your Tinny Mobile Phone Loudly With That Thump Thump Music A Large Dog Will Come and Rip Your Throat Out You Repugnant Turd.”
Just an idea. Don’t be quick to judge.
Leonardo Morgado
I got into a row once about my “incessant typing” while in a quiet carriage. I’d got the train expressly to do some work, and have some peace and quiet. The signs didn’t preclude typing, and I’m sure it was no more distracting than the sound of the train moving over the rails.
Did I miss something? Was I being antisocial? And was I breaking the rules (or the spirit of the rules)?
Jon Hickman
No Jon, I don’t think you were being anti-social. I think the problem is that the signs are counter-productive: they try to stipulate acceptable behaviour but without being specific, and without making encouraging enhancements to the ambiance. If there were no signs but the lighting was dimmed, I think there would be more chance of quiet, and there would be fewer arguments about what was allowed.
Michael
Someone needs some shut eye methinks….?
Sas Taylor
I fully agree with you, My company do not have quiet carriages as we find that they would alienate our customers and cause more problems than it is worth.
Also it would require gestapo like policing if we were to implement such carriages and we feel that having our conductors running up to someone and making them hang up their phone is a waste of time.
Jamie