Lack of respect for the space of others has been becoming an increasingly common problem. Anywhere, whether in Portugal or outside, there are those who do not realize where their freedom ends and begins to others. With high voice conversations, many bother others, especially during travel or in public places. This behavior has already led to fines in several countries, as occurred in France, where a passenger was fined for speaking on the phone loudly at Nantes station.
This type of disrespect is a frequent reality, observed in various places of everyday life, such as parks, cafes, restaurants, on the beach or even at work. There is always someone who does not know how to respect others and answers the phone loudly, without worrying about the discomfort that causes those around them. Although people can laugh, cry or speak, the right not to disturb others must be respected. In France, the situation went wrong for a passenger who ignored this rule.
Imagine being in a train with a trip of several hours ahead, and someone, in the same carriage, starts listening to music or watching videos on the mobile phone without headquarters. This is already annoying behavior, but there is something even worse: when the person starts talking on the phone, also in a loud voice, so that everyone can hear both his voice and the interlocutor. This is what happened to this man in France.
David, 54, was fined by the French National Iron Society) on February 2, after speaking on the high voice, not in the train, but at Nantes station. The amount of the fine was 150 euros, but, as it did not pay it at the time, the amount rose to 200 euros. David explained that he was talking to his sister and that there was no one in the vicinity except a police group.
However, the SNCF version is different. According to the agency, David was not isolated, but in a waiting area where passengers should maintain tranquility. He was approached by a security agent who asked him several times to turn off the loud or lower the volume of the call, but David did not access. The situation generated tension between the passenger and the agents.
French legislation provides for sanctions for behaviors such as David’s, based on the Transport Code. Article R2241-18 prohibits the use of devices that produce noise and disturb the tranquility of others in public transport spaces, including trains and stations. Failure to comply with this standard may result in a fourth category fine, which was precisely the penalty applied to David’s case.
And in Portugal?
According to, in Portugal, the rules for the behavior of passengers in public transport are defined by the transport companies themselves. For example, CP (Comboios de Portugal) and Lisbon Metropolitan Transport (TML) have their own regulations that set norms to ensure good coexistence among passengers. These regulations include behaviors that disturb the environment and can lead to sanctions.
Decree-Law No. 9/2015 of 15 January also establishes the conditions of the road and luggage road transport contract, and provides for a sanctioning regime for breach of the rules, according to the European Union legislation. The rules are clear: if a passenger causes others to others or interferes in public order, he can be removed from the vehicle and still have to pay a fine.
In addition, the CP specifies in its regulations that, in cases of inappropriate behavior, agents in charge of the inspection may request the departure of the train from the police, with the support of the police authority, if the passenger refuses to comply with the determination. The fine, in addition to payment of damage caused, can be high if the behavior persists.
This type of bad behavior may go unnoticed in some cases, but if someone feels uncomfortable enough, the situation can be taken ahead, resulting in a fine. In situations such as David’s, where attitude goes beyond the limit of patience of others, authorities have the right to intervene. Respect for others and living norms is essential for everyone to enjoy public spaces in a harmonious way.
More and more episodes such as this serve as a warning about the importance of respecting others, especially when in public and shared places. Even though the conversation is low or harmless, excessive noise can become a disturbance for those who have no interest in listening to the conversation of others.
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