Skip to main content

The DC metro has an answer

I fired away my previous post while still riding the Metro yesterday. As I was riding back home I saw this sign in the Metro which explains the "No Eating Rule". That makes sense . I am curious from you if your city has a Metro - is there a "No eating Rule" . if there isn't have you seen any rats in your Metro.


Cheers!
Labels:

Comments

Andrew said…
No eating allowed on Atlanta's MARTA. I've seen rats on the rails, but not in trains.
December 20, 2007 at 9:20 AM
vanderwal said…
Most cities in the US and Europe that I have been to do not allow smoking, eating, or drinking on their metro/light rail or busses. Part is smell, part is mess, and part health (attracts rats and bugs).

The cities that do not have signs or stated rules have been discussing them as what they call "public courtesy" is breaking down.
December 20, 2007 at 9:31 AM
Paula Brantner said…
I don't think that many/any allow eating, but the real question is how many people enforce it as rigidly as DC's Metro, where they bust pre-teens eating french fries (http://www.skeptictank.org/gen1/gen00566.htm) and people chewing the last piece of a candy bar (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22456-2004Jul28.html)
December 20, 2007 at 9:36 AM
Papi Saffle said…
I live in DC and see people eat now and then. It has not happened a lot since the Metro Goon Squad arrested a 12 year old girl for eating French fries.
http://www.skeptictank.org/gen1/gen00566.htm
December 20, 2007 at 9:45 AM
Andy Roth said…
I was riding Metro yesterday, and saw a guy taking a picture of that same sign. Oh wait, that was you.

I think they should allow food and employ rat terriers to a) eat the scraps that fall to floor and b) kill the rats.
December 20, 2007 at 10:07 AM
Unknown said…
I have to admit, I rode the metro in DC the other day with a starbucks coffee. I thought about it, looked for any signs and saw none. I walked right by the metro employees at the gates and they saw me. I wasnt hiding anything. They said nothing. Now I am not one to litter, but I know there are those who will. So I understand the rule. I did it becus I had seen others with starbucks on the metro a couple of weeks back so i thought it was ok, but apparently not ...I will be good form here on out
December 20, 2007 at 10:13 AM
Down with theivery! said…
Jimmy, you're allowed to bring Starbucks on the train. You're just not allowed to drink from that Starbucks cup until you're outside the metro system. Strange, isn't it?
December 20, 2007 at 8:27 PM
Shawn said…
We don't have a public rail service here in San Luis Obispo, CA. But the local bus service doesn't allow eating/drinking on the buses. That being said, I've seen it happen. The level of enforcement really depends on the driver. Some drivers are more strict about these rules than others.
December 20, 2007 at 9:54 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How the World Measures Happiness (It’s Not Just About Smiling)

I recently read a fascinating piece by Maham Javaid in the Washington Post analyzing the World Happiness Report . The report, produced by the Wellbeing Research Center at Oxford and the UN, looks beyond GDP to find what actually drives life satisfaction. I've always held the philosophy that happiness should be a state of mind—something that shouldn't depend on others. But I admit, that is difficult to adhere to. It's hard to stay internally happy when you don't receive kudos for extra effort, or when you find yourself analyzing praise to see if it was just an afterthought. While my own philosophy has always been that happiness shouldn't depend on others, the data suggests that for most of the world, happiness is inherently social. Here is what the top-ranking countries teach us: 🇫🇮 Finland: Material Security Finland takes the top spot, but not because they are outwardly the "happiest" people. It's about anxiety reduction. "Researc...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Philosophy of the Push: A Small Observation on Indian Doorways

The Philosophy of the Push: A Small Observation on Indian Doorways There is a specific moment of low-stakes confusion that happens when you travel. You approach a shop door, your muscle memory engages, you grab the handle to pull—and your arm jerks to a halt. The door doesn't budge. You look up, and there it is, often taped right next to a digital payment sticker: a sign that says PUSH. ❖ The Muscle Memory of Safety If you live in the West, your muscle memory is trained to "pull to enter" almost any commercial building. This isn't just a design quirk; it's usually a legal requirement born out of historical tragedy. Fire codes in the US and Europe dictate that exterior doors must swing outward—in the direction of egress. The logic is grim but sound: if a crowd inside panics and rushes the exit, their collective body weight should push the door open, not seal it shut. So, when I travel back to India, and I see doors like the one below, my Weste...
Post a Comment
Read more

You start picking clothes of a certain color, and suddenly, it becomes your uniform. Try to change it, and everyone hates it.

Who Decided Your Favorite Color? (And Why You Can't Escape It) What role does color play in your life? It is a strange negotiation. Somehow, either you decide, or someone else decides for you, what your “favorite color” is. It starts innocently. You pick a blue shirt. It looks good. You buy another. A few years pass, and suddenly, you are “The Blue Shirt Guy.” Then, the trap snaps shut: The moment you try to change—maybe you experiment with a bold new shade—your spouse or friends hate it. You have been branded. The Illusion of Choice I have observed that we have less agency here than we think. Clothing companies seem to act as a cartel, releasing the exact same “new” colors every year. One year, I was inexplicably fascinated by fluorescent green. It was everywhere, so it was in my closet. But my safe zone remains firm: Blue, Pink, and Red for shirts. But pants? I tried...
Post a Comment
Read more
ReadyThoughts.com

Connect with Shashi Bellamkonda

Quick thoughts, experiments, and digital musings from a marketer who likes to test in public and share what actually works.

Shashi Bellamkonda

Shashi Bellamkonda

Digital Marketing Strategist & Thought Leader

Advisor · Educator · Early adopter of social & AI marketing

Follow & Say Hello

On ReadyThoughts I share fast takes on marketing, AI, and experiments in public. If a post sparks a question or idea, I'd love to hear from you.

Shashi's Blog Network
Start here, then explore

ReadyThoughts.com is where quick ideas start. From here you can dive deeper into strategy, misunderstood marketing, and even food stories across the rest of the network.

💭 ReadyThoughts.com
Short posts, experiments, and reflections at the intersection of marketing, AI, and everyday observations.
🎯 Misunderstood Marketing
Frameworks and real‑world examples that turn confusing marketing into clear strategy and results.
🌐 Shashi.co
Independent analysis on AI, SaaS, and revenue growth strategy for builders, operators, and teams.
🍽️ CarryOnCurry.com
DC metro eats & beyond: stories, reviews, and recipes from a marketer who loves curry.