Taking public transport can be fraught with the danger of faux pas. From acceptable noise levels, to giving up your seat and even how far apart your legs should be, there are many issues that make it a minefield of manners.
However when it comes to what objects you can take on public transport, authorities often feel the issue is just too important to be left to the common law of public politeness. Sometimes they have to step in and ban something. Here is our Top 5.
1) A portrait of durian is not ok
The world's most notoriously smelly food, the durian fruit, is banned from many places in the East, including Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) system. In 1988, following the ban, the Straits Times reported that ‘photographer Arthur Lee decided to play the devil by buying a durian and trying to sneak it onto a train. Alas for him station officials had seen him with the durian earlier when he asked passengers to pose for it beside a notice.’
A lot of things are banned on Singapore's MRT
Two years ago, the Guardian reported that the fruit was available in the UK, suggesting that ‘Boris Johnson may wish to draw up the wording for a durian tube ban’. More recently, Tory Peer Lord Sherbourne said people should not be allowed to eat hot food on the Tube because it can be 'offensive' and a health hazard. Transport minister Lord Ahmad said there were 'no plans' for such a ban to be put in place, but promised to raise the matter with Transport for London.
2) Painted with the naughty brush
In 2009, Pregnant mum Abbi Irwin was allegedly told she couldn’t get on a bus in Gateshead because she was carrying two unopened tins of paint.
Bus operator Go North East said its policies were designed to protect customers and property.
3 Get Hover it!
This January, New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) banned hoverboards from every method of public transportation under its control. As the New York Times noted: 'First it targeted manspreading. Now hoverboards.'
The Verge noted that, while the hoverboard is banned from a number of transport modes, the MTA's ban is one of the most sweeping, next to the mass confiscation that happened in the UK. ‘The issue is safety, especially when it comes to the lithium-ion batteries used to power most hoverboards.’
They don’t actually hover, either.
4) Green with anonymity
In 2013, A Londonderry man's weekend plans were ‘left in tatters’ after airport security confiscated his homemade Green Lantern mask, which they said could be used to conceal his identity on board the plane.
Ricky Kyle, 23, was transporting the mask - reportedly made by his mum - to wear a stag do in England. ‘My friends all found it hilarious. I understand to some extent why they did it – it's a sign of their security levels,’ said Ricky.
5) No bombs allowed. Duh!
Some may say it's the nanny state gone mad, but Eurostar has a ban on bombs.
‘All explosives: military shells (including war souvenirs and relics), detonators, smoke cartridges, grenades, mines, explosive military stores, imitation devices, fireworks, flares, pyrotechnics’.
The company notes that people visiting commemorative First World War sites can buy certain military relics from this era as souvenirs. But: ‘In accordance with Article 215 of the French Customs Code, you’ll be at risk of arrest, prosecution and a substantial fine if you attempt to travel with any historical weapons, munitions or explosive devices, either within your luggage or carried on you.’
Eurostar ‘will also disregard any certification from sellers of such items claiming that they have been de-activated and are therefore harmless.’ Even if you have a note from your mum.
