Bad habits people need to stop doing on public transport

Most of us spend a good amount of time commuting via public transport, whether it’s on the cutie Bus 825, the new TEL line, or simply taking a long scenic bus ride around the country. So naturally, we’ll encounter some colourful people along the way. We’re not talking about Stand-up Stacey or Bag-down Benny.

We’ve rounded up a list of bad habits people do on public transport, from picking their noses to doing pull-ups on the handlebars. If you’re a guilty party, please stop. And for the rest of us, may this list validate your fury and injustice.

Note: our photos have been clearly photoshopped – we did not become an actual menace for the sake of content. 

1. Airing feet on the opposite seats

Unfortunately, this might be a common sight we see, especially in buses – passengers airing their feet on the seats. Why they think we can’t smell the stink, we’ll never know. But keep your toes in your shoes, we don’t need to see your fungal-infected toenails. Your outstretched feet also take up space, and others can’t sit since you’re occupying the seats.

2. Resting feet on handrails

Image credit: Kit Suman via Unsplash

Passengers resting their feet on handrails is another level from placing them on the opposite seats. Even though their feet don’t take up any seats, they’re equally bad – lagi even worse. While they might be comfortable doing yoga positions in public, nobody wants to see that. Know someone who does this? Give them some ankle weights to wear.

3. Manspreading 

Here’s the hard truth about manspreading – not only does it take up space, it also exposes your bulge to the world. And nobody needs to see that. Also, ladies, manspreading doesn’t just apply to the male species. If you’re wearing a dress or skirt, remember to be aware and cross your legs. We don’t want any unwanted peepings to occur.

4. Kiap-ing the poles with their butt cheeks 

We get that you’re tired after a long day of work. But do you really need to kiap the poles with your butt cheeks for balance? If you’re leaning your entire body on the pole, other passengers won’t have space to grab the pole for balance. The poles are meant to be shared, people. Plus, what if you accidentally let out a fart? Gross.

5. Not preparing your phone or wallet at the gantry

Image credit: @LTAsg via X

There’s enough time for you to prepare your phone or wallet at the gantry, but a handful of commuters collectively decided to start fishing in the depths of their BTV Dumpling Bags right at the gantry. Before you know it, the gantry line becomes a human jam reminiscent of JB customs when the e-gates are down. If you can’t multitask, stand off to the side to find it before approaching the gantry.

6. Bringing pungent food onboard (& feigning ignorance)

Technically, bringing pungent food onboard isn’t illegal – unless you’re carrying durians. But there are other foods that give off a funky smell too. We’re talking fermented soy products, shrimp-flavoured food, stinky tofu, and this might be controversial, but anything with belacan. Sorry not sorry to have said that, but these foods might not be tolerable for everyone.

7. Children running around

To parents who let their young children run around, why? The train’s handlebars might look like monkey bars, but this is the MRT, not your neighbourhood playground. Plus, the noise from your kids is very disruptive to the other passengers too. If they want to run around, bring them to one of the many free playgrounds, or sign them up for a marathon.

8. Doing pull-ups 

Hi sir, this one not monkey bar ya. The bus or train isn’t your personal gym, so please don’t do pull-ups with the handrails. It’s disruptive, prevents others from holding the handrails for support, and frankly quite dangerous. Leave your working out to actual ActiveSG gyms instead.

9. Stinking the cabin after gym sessions

To the fitspos on Instagram, you’re lucky your viewers can’t smell you stinking up the cabin after gym sessions. Sure, it’s shiok when you feel the aircon while you’re holding the overhead handrails, but your deodorant isn’t strong enough to mask your musty, sour, and warm stench. For the sake of the shorter person beside you, please take a shower after your exercise, and maybe you’ll hit a new PR on hygiene.

10. Couples full-on PDA-ing 

Keep it PG13.

GET A ROOM! We understand that love is an illogical emotion, but the rest of us can do without the intense PDA. We’re just on our way to from work; the last thing we want is to hear the exchange of saliva or to see you sneakily touch your girlfriend’s boobs. Think about the young kids onboard too – let’s not scar their brains.

11. Fighting with each other

As much as Singaporeans are kaypoh, we just want to get to our destination peacefully. We don’t want to see passengers fighting on the train. Most fights and heated arguments on public transport will probably be filmed by bystanders and go viral on TikTok in a day. No one will be walking away from this match a winner, except for the poster who scored thousands of likes and views of the brawl.

12. Doing personal grooming like cutting nails or flossing teeth

It’s called PUBLIC transport, for a reason. Do your personal grooming like flossing and nail cutting at home. Aside from the fact that it’s very unglamorous, germs and saliva also get deposited everywhere – machiam Songkran Festival.

Some might not agree with this, but makeup application on buses and trains should be done at home too. The potential for loose powder and eyeshadow particles to fly about and stain others’ clothing is just too high. So maybe wake up earlier and finish your makeup at home before heading to the office.

13. Refusing to make room for others 

Unless you’re on the Train to Busan with zombies chasing you, make room for others and wait for your turn to board the bus and train. We’re also pointing fingers at those who refuse to move and let those on the inner seats alight, and those who leave their bags on the seats. Seats are for humans, not inanimate objects.

14. Saying “tsk” and expecting a seat

Image credit: Euan Cameron via Unsplash

Many of us have been taught to be courteous and to give up our seats to those in need, but some feel the need to say “tsk” and expect a seat. Just because we might be glued to our phone screens watching something more interesting than your passive-aggressive facial expressions doesn’t mean we won’t offer you our seat if you just ask nicely.

15. Playing their music or videos out loud

Newsflash – this isn’t Zouk or Marquee. Playing your music or videos out loud just isn’t the vibe for public transport, especially during the early hours before 8am. Use noise-cancelling headphones instead. To those who have extremely loud and obiang ringtones, please answer your phone within 3 rings. The jarring tunes give everyone a rude and unnecessary shock.

16. Prying open MRT doors

Image credit: Prahbu Isawaran via Unsplash

While some commuters may have missed the sign for not touching or leaning on the train doors, others go the extra mile to pry open the door of a moving train. Do you expect the train conductor to let you off in between Khatib and Yio Chu Kang? Your itchy fingers compromise the safety of other passengers. And if you miss the train, just take the next one – at most, it’s a 5-minute wait.

17. Leaving bodily substances all over the train

We get it, you took the train. You don’t have to leave proof that you were here. And by proof, we mean your bodily substances like sweat and hair oil. We’ve seen one too many grease stains on the transparent glass panels where people have rested their oily hair on. If you’ve accidentally left a mark, do everyone a favour and wipe it off with a wet tissue.

Special shoutout to those who pick their nose and ears: if you wipe your fingers on the seats, we’re calling the police on you.

18. Peeing or pooping

Compared to other countries, toilets are very accessible in Singapore. There is no excuse to pee by the escalator or poop on the train. They can be found in malls, and there are even some MRT toilets in the station. If you really cannot tahan, just remember these 2 steps: number 1: ask the staff at the passenger service counter, number 2: number 2.

Disgusting things people do on public transport

We’ve been blessed with great public transport in Singapore, no doubt. But whether we can say the same for the passengers, we’ll leave that unanswered. If you have friends or family who exhibit any of the abovementioned behaviours, send them this article as a subtle “please stop being a menace” hint.

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• 90s tech gadget
• Things that feel illegal in Singapore but aren’t

Photography and photoshop by Em Loza.
This article was first published on 12th May 2024. Last updated on 25th July 2025 by Nathan Koh.