[how to fit in in Toronto: travel etiquette]

In preparation for our trip to Canada, the fiance has bought about ten guides to Toronto and Canada. Apparently he wants to do some sightseeing... The best travel guide has got to be the Insight City Guide to Toronto in partnership with the Discovery Channel (2006). Besides incorporating a range of colourful photos and detailed information (some, I admit, I didn't even know! - bad Canadian!), there is a handy summary of "practical information." One of the practicalities concerns "etiquette" (a word seemingly unknown among the London tube-using crowd).

"Toronto is an informal but courteous city. To really fit in: hold doors open for people following you through; don't jump ahead in a queue; let people get off public transport before you get on; offer your seat to older passengers or pregnant women, offer assistance to other travellers struggling with luggage; on escalators, stand on the right, walk past on the left; say 'excuse me" if you accidentally nudge someone or need to walk in fron tof them. If you are a smoker, as the people around you if its OK to light up."

After reading this I was in fits of giggles...ah, those silly and polite Canadians. Upon further reflection though, I thought Londoners could do with a similar guide. Yesterday, on my way to my ph.d annual review (which went very well thank you very much!) no one held doors for me, people smoked in blatant view of the no smoking signs, there was much swearing (how rude) by what I can only term drunken older yobs (in their 40s and it was only 10 am!), a teenager (eeew) tripped an older gentleman by extending his lengthy (watch-it!) umbrella!! The old man embarrassed, fell over various people, apologised and looked at the teenager quizzicaly who responded by jumping out of his seat and saying "you wanna start som-in-g (funny london accent) old man," and I helped two women with babies carry heavily laden prams up and down stairs (good exercise). There was one very happy surprise in terms of etiquette and that happened at the cute leafy rail station in Haslemere (NOT London). I saw my train at the platform, doors closed, whistle blown, and I dashed as I have never dashed before (the next train was in 30 min!). I huffed down the steps at the platform and the very nice conductor stopped the train and opened a door for me. How lovely was that? He must have his own guide to etiquette.