Home » Travel » London Underground » Good Advice From 1927 If You Want to do Well on the Tube

Good Advice From 1927 If You Want to do Well on the Tube

© Annie Mole

My attention was caught by a wonderful 1920's poster featuring a bowler hatted character who looked straight as if he had come from one of those old black and white BBC public service broadcasts. Metro newspaper (a free newspaper given away on London's Underground), published this great poster which you can see on the tube's website here.

It's a man going to work and describing what he does on his journey and London Underground stated that it would be wise to follow most of his advice today. Well would it? I thought I would put it to the test to see how I managed on the tube.

"I entered the tube station and took my place in the queue".

Wrong, most Londoners are sensible enough to have bought a travelcard in advance so you don't have to mess around queuing.

"I had the exact fare ready"

Hmm it helps when using the machines to buy a ticket but lots of them do give change, but I think our little friend is mainly right here, the correct fare helps.

"I passed across the lift
I stood clear of the gates

Absolutely. Stand clear of anything that moves on the London Underground, particularly the closing doors which can give you a massive whack if you happen to get in their way. Also delays the journey a bit if you shove your leg or handbag in the doors in an effort to stop the train.

"I bewared (sic) of pickpockets

Yes, you must watch yourself on the tube. If you're travelling in the rush hour you can be in very close proximity of fellow passengers and sometimes I imagine even pickpockets would find it had to move their hands. However, please watch yourself on escalators if you are carrying a rucksack or handbag behind you.

"I passed down to the other end of the platform
I let them off the car first
I stepped on quickly
I passed right down inside
I passed out quickly"

If we take it that Mr Chomley-Warner isn't passing out from the heat, the smell or the sheer nausea of being thrust amongst so many strangers, he has a fair point again. It helps to walk to the far end of a train (the back is excellent) as there's more room to get on the train and you're more likely to get a seat.

Get on and off the train as quickly as you can manage and you'll receive eternal thanks from most commuters. And yes passing right down inside the carriage is great too and again means you might be more likely to get a seat, when those seated get off.

The copyright of the article Good Advice From 1927 If You Want to do Well on the Tube in London Underground is owned by . Permission to republish Good Advice From 1927 If You Want to do Well on the Tube in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.