Speaking loudly on public transport
Informal Can sound rude
What it really means
British trains and buses are usually quiet, and loud conversations or phone calls stand out immediately. It's not forbidden, but it's often considered inconsiderate, and speaking loudly in any language draws attention. Keep your voice low and take long phone calls after you get off if you can.
Chinese explanation
英国的火车和公交通常很安静，大声聊天或打电话会立刻显得突兀。这不算违规，但常被认为不体谅他人；无论说哪种语言，声音大都会引人侧目。尽量压低音量，长电话最好下车再打。
Example conversation
A: Was I speaking loudly on the train earlier? A woman kept glancing at me.
B: A bit, yeah. Carriages here are pretty quiet — people notice.
A：我刚才在火车上说话是不是太大声了？有个女士一直瞟我。
B：有一点。这里的车厢都挺安静的——大家会注意到。
What you could say back
No spoken reply needed for this one.
Related phrases
Go deeper
All Customs & Etiquette
Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team
· Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake