Tube Etiquette: help the injured

We all understand as a rule of engagement that the tube can be a pretty unpleasant place and that it is normally each man for his own.  I have also written in The Little Book of Tube Etiquette that 'Londoners are rude, deal with it.'

There are, of course, some pretty major exceptions and that includes the walking wounded.  Who, in their right mind, thinks it is ok to push past and avoid giving up their seat to a girl on crutches?

This is the scenario my friend Kat has found herself in.  Kat broke her ankle two weeks before Christmas and recently came back to work a couple of weeks ago.  Every day she hobbles in on her crutches using the London Underground.  To date, just three people have helped her on the tube or offered her a seat.

Come on Londoners - pushing the rudeness a bit far now aren't we?

Rush hour is unpleasant of course, but some people don't have the ability to pick and choose when they travel (unlike most tourists - another discussion point started in the book which I will blog about another time) and if it is clear that they are injured - a massive moon boot and crutches is a pretty good signal - we should be a little less selfish.

If I do write a follow up to The Little Book of Tube Etiquette, poor Kat and her crutches will absolutely be immortalized in it.

In the meantime, if you do see someone hobbling along, think twice before you barge them out the way or take the last free seat...