Modern Etiquette: The 26 public transport and car park rules we all need to follow.

Catching public transport in Australia is an extreme sport.

It requires dexterity, patience and discipline because often the realm of trains, buses and trams is a lawless place — every man for himself!

The same goes for car parks, especially if you live in Sydney or Melbourne (put your hand up if you have been personally victimised by an overcrowded, dark and impossible-to-navigate parking lot in this city).

However, it doesn't have to be that way. While there's not a lot we can do on a personal level to make the actual services we use better (ya know, like more regular train services to account for our growing populations, or buses that actually show up on time if at all, or parking spots that aren't so difficult to navigate that they make your eye twitch), there are still ways we can make the whole ordeal more pleasant for ourselves and each other.

That's where Mamamia's Modern Australian Etiquette Guide comes in. First, we helped you figure out exactly how to act at weddings, dinner parties and work.

Watch: How much should you give at a wedding. Post continues below.

Now it's time for the most precarious locations of them all.

The thing about public transport and shared spaces is that they are as bearable as we make them. We're all in this together (often elbow to elbow, back to back), and the way we treat each other is the difference between having a peaceful trip and deciding the $80 Uber to the city is actually worth it.

So, friends, gather around for some cardinal rules to help you nail public transport and car parketiquette. Let make being packed into a sardine can with strangers a little less miserable, shallwe?

Etiquette rules for when you catch public transport.

Keep your shoes on, you animal.

I can't believe this has to be said, but if you are catching public transport, keep your shoes firmlyon your feet. The dogs must be leashed at all times, and no, you cannot trim your toenails onthe train (I have seen this with my own eyes, true story). Feet are often stinky and offensive, and no one wants to deal with yours — especially when we are all in forced proximity with each other.

Just no.

We don't want to hear your music. Use headphones.

If you're watching TikToks, YouTube videos, or Netflix on your phone, use headphones. Unlessyou project the videos onto the wall of the carriage for everyone else to enjoy, it's just rude anddistracting. I don't want to hear the same three audios play on loop!

This seems to be something that kids under 15 and adults over the age of 55 are especially guilty of.The same goes for music, by the way — others might not share your taste so ditch the JBLspeakers and just use your headphones if you want to listen to some tunes.

Try not to be obvious when snooping on people's phones.

Look, we've all done it. Sometimes the morning commute is boring, and the girl next to you istexting her bestie some tea, and you can't help but sneak a glance at her messages. I won't even tell you not to do it — quite frankly, we all deserve a little bit of gossip and whimsy in our lives.

However, the key word here is glance. You can steal a peep if you want, but don't make the person uncomfortable by just staring at their phone. Only imperceptible glimpses allowed! The same goes for reading books over other people's shoulders. Again, I won't say I'm not guilty of being bored and sneakily reading along with the person next to me, but don't be weird or creepy about it. If they can tell you're looking, then stop.

Don't be loud in a quiet carriage.

This one is an obvious rule but people break it all the time — save your phone calls and loud conversations for the regular carriages, but even then, mind your volume. Not everyone on the train wants to hear your conversation. If we can hear you chatting from two seats away, you are too loud and need to dial it down.

Flip seats so that they all face the same direction.

Not all trains have this capacity, but if you can flip seats so you aren't face-to-face with the people in front of you, then you should. Not only does it save a lot of awkwardness, it also gives you better leg room. No need to breathe in each others' faces and bump knees!

Give up your seat for for those that need it.

There is a special place in hell for people who ignore vulnerable passengers as they struggle to stay balanced while on a train or bus. Don't be that person. If you are able-bodied, you should be offering your seat to passengers who need it more, like pregnant people or the elderly. It's the right thing to do, and also an actual rule of using public transport (it says so on the signs!).

Do not sit next directly next to someone if there are other seats available.

We can't believe we have to say this one, but here we are.

If your train/bus/tram isn't super busy and there are plenty of seats available, don't choose the only seat where you would be directly next to someone. That is weird and will probably creep people out. Respect people's space and only sit next to someone on public transport if there is no alternative seat available.

Make room for others.

If the train/bus/tram is bust, don't wait for someone to ask you to move your bag off an empty seat— put it in your lap or at your feet and make room for others to sit down.

Don't cause a traffic jam while tapping on.

Look, things can get pretty hectic on public transport. If there's a long line of people trying to board a bus, use the second ticket reader if you can. That way, you don't cause a pile-up at the door, and people can board more smoothly. And I'm begging you, have it out ready to go. Don't start digging in your bag once you're at the ticket reader. We have all seen that one jerk do this before. No one wants to be that jerk.

Move if you are in people's way.

Nothing irks me more than people who block the doors of a train, and then expect the flow of passengers to split around them like Moses parting the Red Sea. If there is a sea of people coming on/off the train and you are standing right at the door, just step off for a moment to let them pass, and then get back on. I promise you, you won't lose the prime real estate right next to the door.

Your backpack is not a person.

If you are standing in the train, remove your backpack and place it between your feet so there is more room for people to stand behind you. And for God's sake, don't move around with the bag on, lest you whack the glasses off anyone within a metre of you.

Let people get off first.

Again, hate that this needs to be said but if people are exiting public transport, let them get offbefore you get on! C'mon now.

Don't hog the pole.

Trains can be a bumpy ride and it is not easy to maintain your balance while standing in the middle of the carriage. So, if there's a pole for people to hold onto, don't hog the whole thing by leaning your entire body against it — make sure others can hold onto it too.

Avoid eating pungent food on trains.

There are few things worse than being wedged next to someone on the train while they are eating a greasy, smelly burger and stale fries that fills every one of your senses — and you have no fresh air to save you. Don't be that person

Don't leave your rubbish around.

Littering is not only rude but also an offence to both the law and to me personally. Don't be a grub.

Move to the back.

If you get on a mode of public transport and all the seats are full, but there are still a dozen people boarding after you, keep moving all the way 'till the back. Sorry if that's inconvenient for you, but that's just the etiquette! The alternative is forcing those behind you to be super squished, and that's not very nice.

Mums with prams might not need your help, but it's good to offer.

If you've ever caught public transport with a small child and a pram, you know it is hell on earth. If you haven't, then know this: it would be very very kind of you to help a mum get her pram off the bus/train. However, don't just grab the pram without asking (scary!) — politely offer to help, and then once you have approval, then go ahead and do your kind deed of the day.

Etiquette rules for car parks.

If someone indicates for a space, it's theirs.

I know you're probably thinking 'duh, I know this' — but remember all those times someone sneakily cut you off and stole your spot even though you were indicating? Yeah. They walk among us!

No calling 'dibs' with a person or object.

The only time you can claim a parking spot is if you got to it first and having used your indicators. Sorry, but it is deeply uncool to make a person stand in your spot to save it when you aren't there, and no, you cannot leave trollies/traffic cones/office chairs or whatever else is around to block a space until you get back. If you aren't actually using it, it's fair game!

Ask before you stalk pedestrians.

We've all been desperate enough in a Westfield parking lot that we've followed shoppers who appear to be leaving and lurked threateningly behind them in the hopes of claiming their spot. But for the person walking, it is… menacing.

So, if you think someone is leaving, just ask them! And if they are, again, ask them if you can follow them to their spot. It's super unlikely that they will say no — it's just so that they don't get freaked out by you stalking them like some kind of predator.

Don't take up more than one spot.

When you park, take extra care that you're within the lines, and if you are even a little bit over,don't leave it that way. Encroaching on the next car space might make it impossible for others topark there — which is not only a dick move, but also puts your car at risk of being damaged byother angry drivers.

Don't park too close to other cars.

I know it's tempting to squeeze your car into a tiny gap between two other cars — but try to avoid this. You might end up blocking the other cars in, or even yourself. And if you make it super hard for others to leave their spot without damaging your car, well, you have to cop the risk.

Respect spots reserved for those with disability permits or prams.

Do! NOT! Park! In! Disability! Parking! If! You! Aren't! Disabled!

And further to that, respect pram parking and other special parking spots — they are there for a reason and make the lives of people who are vulnerable or have specific challenges a little easier.

If you have a small vehicle, park conspicuously.

This is one of those things where it's not that serious, but just a nice thing to do. If you have a small vehicle, don't park super snug into your parking space — allow your car to be visible in the parking lot to other drivers, so they don't excitedly make their way to your spot only to see it is occupied at the last second.

Slow down.

Car parks are full of pedestrians, families and kids getting to and from their vehicles. There are also lots of cars moving around, and often quite suddenly if they pull out from a spot where they were not visible to you — be careful, drive slow, and be aware of your surroundings. It's wild how fast some people speed through parking lots. This is dangerous, especially if someone pulls out or turns a corner suddenly!

Traffic rules don't stop once you're in a parking lot.

It's interesting how we are pretty good at following traffic rules on the road, but this seems to go out the window once we enter a car park — suddenly we're in a lawless land and it's everyone for themselves! Please remember that 'give way' signs still apply, and that there are speed limits.

Feature image: Canva.