UK Weather: The unspoken rules of commuter etiquette during a heatwave

Enduring a smelly armpit in the face on your commute is inevitable

(Getty Images)

One of the most difficult experiences for any individual working in a city during the summer is the anguish of having to endure a hot, sweaty and claustrophobic commute.

There’s no avoiding the sweaty armpits in your face as you struggle to maintain your balance and composure on an overcrowded train.

However, there are certain measures that you can take to make the journey slightly more bearable for you and everyone else in your vicinity.

Here are the unspoken rules of commuter etiquette during a heatwave, from stock-buying deodorant to avoiding that much-dreaded eye contact:

Double your deodorant dosage

Sweating on the train during a heatwave is inevitable, no matter how much antiperspirant you spray on every region of your body when you prepare to leave your home in the morning.

However, that doesn’t mean to say that you should forego deodorant altogether.

Making the extra effort to roll on a freshly scented deodorant will no doubt make your fellow commuters feel especially grateful.

Before you do so, it may be worth looking into whether you’ve been applying deodorant and antiperspirant correctly.

Dr Dawn Harper, who appears on Embarrassing Bodies, explains that getting dressed too quickly after applying deodorant could make it less effective.

Make space

There’s nothing worse than getting on a train carriage or a bus and glimpsing oodles of space down the other end, only for the people in front of you to stubbornly refuse to move down.

Making space on a commute is a universally understood rule of thumb, which is especially important to follow when everyone is struggling to cope in the soaring temperatures.

This doesn’t just apply to those standing up, but also to those sitting down.

Sticking to your seat in the heat is uncomfortable enough without “manspreaders” selfishly taking up all of the room next to you.

The British are famous for their polite manners, so show the world we’re as civil as we seem by being considerate of others.

Make wise food choices

You should be allowed to eat whatever you want, whenever you want.

However, you should keep in mind that some food items will give off an extremely potent smell when eaten in hot, humid conditions.

While you have the freedom to eat your delicious tuna sandwich as you wish on your commute home, it’s perfectly understandable for your fellow commuters to dub you enemy number one for the duration of the journey if you decide to do so.

In 2017 a ban on smelly food was proposed for New York’s subway, which inspired Londoners to also follow suit.

Eye contact

Making eye contact with strangers on the commute, especially in the capital, is a massive no-no at all times of the year.

However, this rules applies more strongly than ever during a heatwave when everyone on the underground is visible melting and feeling their utmost grumpiest.

Hydrate, hydrate and hydrate

Keeping yourself hydrated is essential when commuting during a heatwave, so carrying water on your person at all times is vital.

While “commuter etiquette” dictates that you shouldn’t make eye contact with strangers during your journey to or from work, exceptions can be made when someone’s health is at risk.

If you spot someone struggling from clear heat exhaustion or dehydration, why not be a nice human being and offer them your drink?

You could even help them off the train or bus at the next stop or alert a member of staff if they’ve really taken ill.

The British are clearly not well-equipped for the heat, despite the fact that it comes around on an annual basis.