Pet peeves on Hong Kong public transport

Last week, everyone was talking about that photo of a woman who applied a beauty face mask on the MTR. Commuting daily on public transport, we have seen far worse.

Below are 10 of the most annoying things we endure on an almost daily basis in Hong Kong.

"Please don't clip your nails during the ride."

Nail clipping on public transport tops this list not just for the annoying sound, but the ensuing fear that looms within us when we hear it.

When we hear the sound, we instinctively try to locate the origin of the irritating clipping sound, and before we can react, a nail clipping, possibly enveloped in germs, could be flying straight toward our face.

There are much worse things than eating a stranger's nail -- but it is pretty bad. We can only hope that it isn't a toenail.

In-house DJs

When we're trapped next to a fellow commuter listening to mournful Cantopop at top volume, it can be pretty annoying.

When there is a hard-of-hearing granny on our other side listening to Chinese opera also at top volume, it is almost enough to make one schizophrenic.

Keep volumes at a neighbor-friendly level and we'll have fewer insane people on our trains and buses.

Pole dancing 

Never heard of "pole dancing"? It's when a commuter on the MTR leans on a pole with their whole body.

Either they have crushed the knuckles of whoever else is holding onto the pole, or forced other commuters to contend without a handhold on the swerving train. 

Because, you know, everyone else is too polite to ask you to move your body off the pole.

Public announcements

Every day on Hong Kong’s public transport, there is someone overly generous about sharing their domestic problems with others.

Most of these people have hands-free devices and are speaking on the phone at the top of their voices, like the infamous “Bus Uncle.” Their conversations penetrate our earphones, forcing our inner psychiatrist to judge them and their mundane issues. 

Japanese signage urging women to keep their makeup routines off of the trains.

The wonder of makeup

It’s confusing. Five minutes ago a passable-looking lady sat down next to you, fives minutes later, Zhang Ziyi showed up in the same spot in the same outfit.

Everyone appreciates beautiful things, it’s human nature. But if we could just hold onto our tweezers, brow pencils and lash curlers until we reach our destination, everyone would appreciate it.

These stunts with sharp tools on moving vehicles can be a bit frightening. 

What is your pet peeve on public transport? Rant away in the comments box below.