People coughing in public without holding their mouth

All In London Forum
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Lead
I studied in Leeds and liverpool and noticed that people cough openely without holding their mouth. If they do they just use their bare hands, which will be used to touch public utilities such as bus supports, tubes etc.
I used to travel on buses and remember sadly the many times I held my breath(not that it could help) trying to stop breathing in whatever was emitted in these small places. I also resented holding onto any support or seat.
Now I will be coming to stay in London, at least for a considerable time and am most worried about this habit. Is it that common in London too? I am really scared.It is also surprising how people in a so called developed country are not educated on how to behave in public, at least for Public health sake.

Lead. Sad
Posted: 2006-02-23 08:46:42
Sooz
couldn't agree more.. having spent far too much time on tubes and buses I've observed exactly the same thing here in London. I now carry wet-wipes with me everywhere so that I am prepared should the worst happen and I need to touch one of the support-rails!
Posted: 2006-02-23 13:00:33
swish
This is England mate. What were you thinking. Freedom to infect and be infected is the norm. It is sad. But that is why I cycle and walk a lot. Then I worry about all the exhaust fumes I breathe in on my journeys (sigh)what can you do. Just reminds me of Mogwai's post about tutting loud enough to be heard when people do their best to gouge his eyes. haha. This is just how it is. I hope it will change but when I watch charles dickens' and other films about Englands past I know it will be a while before things change completely. But then, "That's life", as the saying goes.
Posted: 2006-02-23 16:20:29
TheMog
Hello all Happy

If you're worried about people coughing and sneezing openly on public transport I'd suggest not going near the tube at peak times. At this time of year there are plenty of people with colds and god knows what else. The only safe way to avoid them is to wear some form of mask, although I wouldn't fancy your chances of getting through the ticket barriers whilst wearing a mask in this climate of fear.

The average Londoner doesn't really care enough about other people they are travelling with. I count myself as an average Londoner, recently I was worried about an unattended bag on a bus so what did I do? tell the driver and get it inspected? No. I jumped off at the next stop - "I'm alright Jack". It's a terrible thing but it's how most people think and behave in Britain.

Don't let that put you off London though, I'm sure it's the same all over the UK Happy

Mogwai
Posted: 2006-02-23 18:12:43
buster1955
Sad Not only the coughing..that other disgusting habit of putting one finger against a nostril so the owner can blow snot out of the other...WHY the hell can't these dirty sods use handkerchiefs?
Posted: 2006-02-24 02:09:04
SarahGough
I live in Leeds temporarily and have noticed a lot more people have this tendency in Leeds than in London. This also applies to walking right into people and not appologising too!
Posted: 2006-04-17 00:16:04
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