London and Hartlepool readers debate public transport etiquette rules
Letters published in The Guardian challenge advice on seat-giving and add new complaints about sniffing and snorting
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Two readers have publicly challenged and expanded on a recent travel etiquette guide published by The Guardian. The letters, printed on 7 August 2026, address what the writers see as gaps or missteps in advice for public transport behaviour.
Helen Walker, writing from London, criticised the guide’s suggestion that people should no longer automatically give up seats for women. She argued that women often endure unseen discomfort or pain, including menstruation, early pregnancy, menopause, or conditions like endometriosis. Walker urged men to continue offering seats without expecting visible signs of need.
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Judith Milburn, from Hartlepool in County Durham, raised a separate issue. She described frequent encounters with passengers who sniff or snort repeatedly on planes and trains, often without using tissues or handkerchiefs. Milburn said the noise has left her feeling nauseated, sometimes forcing her to block her ears when headphones are unavailable.
Milburn admitted she has not confronted any of the individuals responsible, though she has considered offering them a tissue. The behaviour, she wrote, appears to have become more common, with traditional remedies like blowing one’s nose seemingly out of fashion.
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No formal response from transport operators
Neither Transport for London nor any UK rail operator has issued a statement addressing the points raised in the letters. The Guardian’s original guide, published on 4 August 2026, offered advice on 36 common public transport dilemmas, including manspreading and strong body odours.
It is unclear whether the letters will prompt any changes to public transport policies or passenger awareness campaigns. No further action has been announced by the writers or the publication.
Questions this report answers
+What did Helen Walker argue in her letter?
Helen Walker argued that men should still offer seats to women on public transport, as women may be experiencing unseen pain or discomfort from conditions like menstruation, pregnancy, or endometriosis. She said these issues are often not visibly apparent.
+What issue did Judith Milburn raise about public transport?
Judith Milburn raised concerns about passengers who repeatedly sniff or snort on planes and trains without using tissues. She said the noise has made her feel nauseated and forced her to block her ears when headphones are unavailable.
+Has any transport operator responded to these letters?
No transport operator, including Transport for London, has issued a statement or announced any policy changes in response to the letters published in The Guardian on 7 August 2026.
+When was the original travel etiquette guide published?
The original travel etiquette guide was published by The Guardian on 4 August 2026. The letters responding to it appeared on 7 August 2026.
WE FILE
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The London Travel Desk assembled this report from the outlets listed below. Language-model drafting is reviewed under human editorial supervision, with scoring notes and corrections kept visible.
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