Remote working has increased in the UK this decade and roughly 28% of us are now on a hybrid contract, splitting our hours between home and the workplace. This has given us more flexibility with how we’re able to manage our routines, without having a negative impact on output.
However, while these changes have reduced how frequently people travel, they haven’t eradicated commuting entirely. It remains a cornerstone of working life for the majority, with most of us navigating the journey at least every other day.
Given that this regular route is so familiar, it should be calm, or even comforting, right? Wrong. It turns out that the commute – or, more specifically, the habits of commuters – might be the reason some mornings we feel like we got out of the wrong side of the bed…
1. How are Brits commuting?
According to a survey from the UK’s leading bingo site tombola, half of commuters take the train. Most commuter towns and villages surrounding the bigger cities have stations, and it’s a direct and relatively cost-effective way to travel. According to ONS data, the average journey takes just over an hour – that’s a lot of opportunity for irritation!
Over a third take other forms of rail, like the tube or tram, while one in ten drive, enjoying maximum convenience but facing petrol and parking costs. As sustainability continues to be a societal focus, those within striking distance are increasingly turning to cycling and walking, often supported by rewarding work schemes.
2. What habits do we hate?
For those of us on shared transport – 86% of commuters in total – what really grinds our gears? Speaking loudly on the phone comes in top with 42% of the votes, closely followed by people playing music out loud. It seems that on the commute – especially early in the morning – silence is golden!
Other notable shared dislikes are related to different senses. A quarter of us are turned off by people eating and chewing loudly, especially if they’re consuming pungent food. Even worse is when they leave their rubbish behind. Lastly, we’re also a nation of goody-goodies, condemning anti-social behaviour such as putting feet on seats and intentionally disruptive, dangerous actions.
3. Which industries are the biggest offenders?
According to the survey, some industries deserve more of a reputation for irritating us on our daily commute than others. Three in five agricultural workers confess to committing at least one pet peeve, compared with the national average of one in five. Tech and construction follow closely behind, with a third of industry workers guilty of testing our pre- and post-work patience.
4. Do we face bad habits every day?
Given that only 20% of us admit to having done one of these commuting faux pas, surely we don’t face these bad habits often? Wrong. A quarter report being irritated by bad habits multiple times a week, with most of us – in a very British way – choosing simply to seethe in silence rather than confront the perpetrator.
It seems that perhaps some of us aren’t being entirely honest…
How to be a good commuter:
- Enjoy the journey in silence – or with your headphones in
- Give people as much personal space as possible
- Maintain good hygiene
- Avoid eating and drinking, especially if it’s busy
- Be polite and helpful
- Stick to the British tradition of queuing when boarding your transport!
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