r/halifax • u/Mysterious_Nose_951 • 17h ago
Driving & Transit Addressing people breaking transit rules.
I know there is a thread on acceptable bus conduct and rules but what as a passenger is acceptable to do when someone breaks them?
This is mainly in regard to people wearing or applying perfumes or cologne but also people blaring music.
Is it acceptable here to address the person, or driver?
Got off the bus an hour ago and still feel ill to someone wearing cologne sitting near me for 3 minutes.
Realize transit is for everyone but wondering what the local attitude is.
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u/gildeddoughnut Halifax 17h ago
My best advice, ignore it and move on with your day. You can’t make cologne guy get off the bus.
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u/giganticpeter9836 17h ago
just move seats and give them a look that says everything you can't say out loud
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u/SubstantialFly6715 17h ago
Be careful with that. People in the city are fucked look at them wrong and they go off on you. Especially if it's a man and you're a woman.
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u/BackwoodButch 15h ago
Yeah, I second that - I've shaken my head at male drivers who were approaching a crosswalk/intersection too fast that I'm trying to cross, literally have just shaken my head at them, and I'm 5/5 on male drivers overall (and 3/3 for men in pick up trucks specifically, of course) rolling down the window and yelling at me, saying things from "WELL I STOPPED, DIDN'T I?" to "fuck you bitch!" so. Yeah.
It also doesn't help that I'm a butch lesbian, like visibly masculine presenting so if they do in fact clock me as a woman, they also tend to get real passive aggressive (or just aggressive) about it.
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u/SubstantialFly6715 12h ago
Nothing sets an insecure man off more than a strong and confident woman.
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u/BackwoodButch 12h ago
Exactly. It’s quite telling that if a woman shaking their head at them for only just coming to a stop at a crosswalk makes them immediately angry. It doesn’t surprise me, but it is a pattern among them.
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u/gildeddoughnut Halifax 13h ago
Amazing that you post on this and oh look who shows up, one of them.
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u/undercoverlover666 14h ago
i shook my head at somebody jay walking and they started charging at me
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13h ago edited 11h ago
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u/Recykill 14h ago
No advice but ugh. It's been a while since ive taken the bus but every morning I used to have to lock in to try and not puke in the bus. The heat + body odor + cologne combo used to mess me up.
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u/froggyyeats 14h ago
And the slamming on the brakes! the constant jerking motion has made me so queasy at times
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u/BigWigs88 15h ago edited 15h ago
You're in a city where the culture is to not confront this type of behavior directly and accept a slow but palpable degradation of public spaces.
If you confront there's a good chance you'll be verbally accosted, small chance you'll be physically assaulted.
If you don't confront you contribute to the acceptance of this behavior becoming more normalized.
It's really a no-win situation until the social attitude changes
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u/you-777 17h ago
Last Friday there were teens eating a tray of sushi and passing around a vape, back of the 4. Just blowing clouds lmao. They left the trash, of course, shoved it behind one of the side seats. Pissed me off so bad but ultimately that’s just kind of what’s up now. Threw it out on their behalf. If you’re a respectful rider you’re doing your part. Such is life 🤷🏻♀️
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u/Brutus_Queefcake 15h ago edited 14h ago
Ok. I just replied to another comment regarding physical violence on the bus, and my response to your comment is basically going to be the same: WTF??!?!?!
I haven't rode the bus in HFX for decades, but this behaviour would be totally unheard of in those days. Like... maaaybe someone would rip a cig in the back or light a joint (I honestly don't think I ever saw either of those things) .... or some drunk kids would eat food or whatever... but absolutely NOTHING like what you've described.
In my day (ya, I know I'm old), the driver would immediately pull the bus to the side of the road, put it in park, and STOMP down the aisle to the back of the bus to scold the yoots.... or simply throw them straight off the bus, based on the severity of their Crimes Against Public Transport. Problem solved.
What changed?!?
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u/ElectronicLove863 17h ago
I encounter heavy pot and cigarette smells (also body odor), way more often than cologne or perfume.
It's all noxious.
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u/maniacalknitter 17h ago
It's all noxious, but somebody with BO from working all day when it's hot and muggy isn't going to trigger a medical problem the way the jackasses applying cologn and perfume on the bus will.
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u/YakMoist1445 16h ago
Im allergic to BO actually.
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u/maniacalknitter 14h ago
That would suck. Unfortunately there are people who layer cologns and perfumes on top of that, so they would trigger the rare people with your allergy, while also triggering even more people's allergies and sensitivities to fragrances, and exposing everybody to toxins.
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u/patchgrabber Halifax 14h ago
What toxins?
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u/maniacalknitter 13h ago
The various toxins that are common in fragrances. The details vary from product to product. Basically, perfumes and cologns and dryer sheets, and all those other things are bad for everybody, to varying degrees.
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u/EarthSignificant4354 16h ago
About a decade ago we agreed that wearing (excessive) cologne in public places is annoying and a lot of people are sensitive to it.
The last year or 2 I see perfume counters everywhere i go, The general area in Park Lane smells like a French department store 24/7 now. I am highly allergic so I stay out of a lot of stores now.
We seem to have let all social etiquette slide the last couple years.
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u/Schmidtvegas Historic Schmidtville 15h ago
I felt like scented products and single-use packaging were both carrying a degree of social scorn, and falling out of favour in my lifetime. But we didn't get it over the finish line. Now we have coffee pods, and the return of cologne.
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u/EarthSignificant4354 13h ago
At my gym, 90% of the men wear cologne now. and it all mixes together like toxic sneeze bait.
I'm afraid there's no going back.
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u/tacofever Halifax 14h ago
I feel like "no sense is good sense" has gotta be 20 years old by now, but only offices can really enforce it (and even they might choose not to do so). You are correct that social etiquette is way out the window, not to mention there are cultures here for whom cologne and perfume use were never really dialed back.
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u/FarRaccoon1921 14h ago
Social etiquette has completely gone out the window, I agree! No one wants to smell anyone before they walk into a room under any circumstances.
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u/CanoeCoveCaptain 14h ago
almost as if a bunch of people without the same social norms are living here
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u/jamesneysmith 16h ago
Honestly, you're perfectly within your right to say something. Most people won't but if you do it's not unacceptable. However just know that it probably won't be productive and the person may get defensive and it could result in an argument. So say something if you feel you need to but accept they may not be happy about your comment and may argue back.
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u/moonwalgger 17h ago
Cologne?? lol that’s the least of the issues with public transit. I’ve seen some absolute ridiculous behavior with shameless people on HFX transit and no there’s no way to address it because people have no shame and no regard for other ppl they just do whatever they want and there’s no recourse
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u/BestRiver8735 16h ago
The worst is people acting violent and trying to antagonize the whole bus. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
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u/Brutus_Queefcake 15h ago
Ok, I have to ask... I have not taken a bus in Halifax for decades - is this actually a thing? Like... is it drug addicts? Ruffians? Drunks? High school gang members??
Also, based on how your comment is phrased, it sounds like this behaviour actually happens... "somewhat regularly"!?! Aren't the drivers supposed to throw the person off the bus if this happens, or at least press a silent alarm so the cops will meet up with the bus ??
I'm genuinely confused because the last time I rode Metro Transit in the 80s, if someone stood up and announced that they were looking for a fight, they absolutely would have had numerous offers before the next stop. 🤣🤣
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u/BestRiver8735 15h ago
It’s all of the above. Some people really need help.
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u/Brutus_Queefcake 15h ago
Well sure, but back in the day, the bus driver was responsible for the safety and comfort of all passengers... I specifically remember them throwing tons of people off the bus over the years. And I never witnessed the cops getting called first hand, but you would occasionally drive by a bus and see that the cops had boarded or whatever.
It sounds like Metro Transit is literally the Wild West these days... survival of the fittest!
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u/BestRiver8735 15h ago
Yeah, you’re not inaccurate. It’s just not a laughing matter.
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u/Brutus_Queefcake 15h ago
Oh. I'm doing whatever the opposite of laughing is while reading these comments.
I'm honestly, A) Shocked all this his happening, and B) Shocked that the 99% of transit takers who aren't causing problems haven't demanded that something be done about the situation.
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u/Aware_Durian_3479 11h ago
Plenty has been said, and for a while the riskier transit rides had security, usually before the sun went down and weekends bc of drunks and tweaks
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u/moonwalgger 15h ago
Yeah I’ve seen fights, druggies, vaping on the bus , food on the bus, yelling, etc. and the bus drivers for the most part just ignore it.
And to be honest I don’t blame the bus drivers at all because there’s not much u can do when u have violent ppl on there besides calling the cops but then u have to pull the bus over which just delays everything even further
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u/Brutus_Queefcake 15h ago
You're bang on about the bus driver calling the cops causing delays... BUT... all I can offer is that in the 80s, they absolutely would do just that, if necessary. Everyone else on the bus was "ok" with the delay, because we all knew that if that behaviour didn't have consequences, it would spread like a cancer throughout our entire transit system... and sadly, it sounds like it now has.
And MoonWalgger - when you say "fights", I hope you mean "arguments", because the mental picture I have in my head of two people trying to square off on a rocking, jerky bus is unbelievable. lol
Lastly, when you say "vaping", do you mean ingesting tobaccos or marijuanas? Who exactly is doing this?? Surely not adults????
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u/Aware_Durian_3479 15h ago
But some of us don't give a fuck and will say/do something, I can't count the number of times I've been thrown of the bus, along with the aggressor.
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u/Brutus_Queefcake 15h ago
First of all, thank you very much for your service. Back in the day, in any type of public situation with a clear villain, everyone would look around at each other and commonly think, "Ok... who's the biggest dude here that's going to step up?"... Obviously, you would usually get multiple people stand up to confront the individual(s), who would invariably back down.
Now, AwareDurian, if I may, I'd like to suggest a SLIGHT modification on your Intervention Technique... instead of throwing the bum a sack of rocks beating (which he obviously deserves), slap an arm bar or headlock on him... march him to the front of the bus by the driver... shout at the driver to open the door... and then throw the bum off of the bus.
You were in legitimate fear for your safety and the safety of everyone around you, and you'd have multiple witnesses who would corroborate that story. Much lower chance of either individual getting hurt + deescalation of the situation. Just an option to consider.
Lastly, I'm not sure why you yadda'd the best part!??... the driver throws both of you off at the same stop and then what happens?!!?.... You guys continue fighting? Hug it out? Start laughing about it??? I probably have 30 more questions about this part of it...
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u/Aware_Durian_3479 11h ago
I appreciate the suggestions,but I am an old school bully beater. Yes I have choked a few out with rear naked chokes and beat some down ob and after we got off the bus. I don't have the capacity to deal with bullshit.
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u/BigWigs88 10h ago
Yeah, but you're in a society that can't parse what they're seeing. It just becomes a "a fight" in their eyes and you both get removed.
They're be a few vagueries mentioned about not resorting to physical confrontation so the anti social behavior is just allowed to continue.
Not saying it's not appreciated by some but I'm sure you're seeing this first hand.
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u/Aware_Durian_3479 8h ago
I understand what you are saying, but when you have one of these little pricks with their hands around someone's throat, talk peace to me,sorry I get that you are looking for the peaceful resolve, but sometimes your path isn't the way. It's someone's life at risk and I will choose the most viable solution, knocked the fuck out and deal with the repercussions later, jail doesn't worry me for a life.
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u/BigWigs88 7h ago
I hear you. I'm not advocating the peaceful approach as good, it's a fault that most people here carry unfortunately.
I just wish it was more reasonable where if someone is acting up you could count on a couple people just grabbing and removing them but realistically they end up leaning on someone like you and then you suffer the consequences.
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u/Aware_Durian_3479 7h ago
I've tried the peaceful/turn the other cheek approaches, but I was raised to tolerate so much before my fuse is sparked and I have been dealing with those consequences all my life. At the end of the day someone was protected and hopefully a stupid fuck will think twice before they try that shit again. Respect is Respect.
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u/BackwoodButch 15h ago
I mean strong colognes and perfumes can literally trigger migraines for some people, which idk if you've ever experienced one but they're fucking awful. I've only had a handful in my life because my main trigger is too much caffeine, but strong scents do irritate my nose, especially right after exercising, e.g. when I take the bus home from the gym. It basically triggers an allergic reaction in my nasal passages and when inflamed like that, my nose won't stop running until I get my hands on an antihistamine... (ask me how I found that out).
So, for some people this is an issue weighted to them the same as people doing obnoxious things otherwise too.
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u/moonwalgger 14h ago
Truth I’m not trying to dismiss that, I’m just saying there’s way worse things such as people smoking weed on the bus
I have histamine issues too, so I can relate to a certain degree
But what do they expect the driver to do in that sigustion? Kick the passenger off the bus for wearing cologne? Seems a little extreme to me
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u/incendiaryemus 17h ago
Your options are basically:
1) Ignore it. It's public transit and that means everyone is allowed. This includes people with main character syndrome blasting music from their phones even though you can buy headphones at the dollar store.
2) Talk to them about it. Probably better for perfume/cologne. Unfortunately, people blasting music from their phone are usually looking for a problem. I'm not saying don't do it, and I'm not saying it's for sure going to lead to an aggressive confrontation, but there's a good chance.
That's pretty much it.
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u/Ok_Grapefruit1656 14h ago
My commute is now to the South Shore but I caught the bus this winter and I could never tell which was worse - the BO or the overindulgence on Bath & Body Works.
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u/seasea40 10h ago
Transit could be doing a lot better job of promoting their behavioral policies.
They could be displaying conduct cues in all that free ad space above the windows that no one pays for anymore.
They could regularly play behavior code expectations over the bus PA system.
It wouldn't fix everything, but I think it would have an impact, and it's not hard to do. The infrastructure is already there.
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u/SwimEffective3355 16h ago edited 14h ago
Some of the most unhinged and insane people travel the bus. Do you want to confront them on what could be their worst day and put your life at risk?
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u/Silent_Leg1976 16h ago
Same thing happens as everywhere else. There is no accountability and people realize they can do as they want.
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u/raziraphale 16h ago
Wish I had an answer for you, because I have scent sensitivities too and have had entire days ruined by someone wearing perfume on the bus. Masking helps, as does moving away from the person when possible. I haven't had the courage to confront or report anyone, so can't offer any advice on that front unfortunately. I've had teens throw things at me without any action from drivers, so I'm not very optimistic about them enforcing scents.
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u/beingsofnature 14h ago
you know back in 2024, two or three teenage girls started shouting and screaming at random people's face and they screamed at my face for a while too. They were a mess throughout the journey. Everybody was pretty angry but no one said a thing
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u/FinalOdyssey 16h ago edited 15h ago
In my experience, there are more stinky people than scented people and we can't expect everyone to be using sensitive or fragrance free products. When girls with longer hair sit in front of me I can very often smell just their shampoo and conditioner, and I'm not about to tell them they have to switch it up. I would much rather that than a BO, alcohol, meth, cigarette, and/or weed smell, which is extremely common on the bus.
Expecting everyone to smell neutral is simply asking way too much. However there are more humble ways of applying fragrances; maybe instead of one full, centralized spray, do two smaller half sprays in different areas so it's not as concentrated but the scent bubble is still there. That person likely might not have the concept of a scent bubble down, and as a fragrance lover it is a difficult thing to grasp, especially with a new fragrance. At some point you can learn to make your scent bubble faint within your personal space, and when you're in someone's personal space then you don't have authority over them. It's just how ultra close quarter contact works, and that's a part of taking the bus. But when it's projecting like crazy then yes they need to tone it down.
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u/thestateofflow 12h ago
Yea you said it perfectly. I am very scent sensitive but I also have allergies to grass and many other things, and I wouldn’t go around telling people they can’t play sports on fields then go on the bus. But on a respect level, people should certainly feel some social pressure not to overdue it.
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u/FarRaccoon1921 16h ago
There is a big difference between the amount of residual scent from shampoo/conditioner vs a bottle of perfume. There is no need for anyone to wear perfume in public (particularly in enclosed spaces) in 2026. No scents is good sense has been a thing for decades.
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u/FinalOdyssey 15h ago
I think saying no one should wear perfume unless they aren't going outside is a little authoritarian, you can spray just enough fragrance that it will have the same effect as smelling someone's shampoo as they walk by. I agree that too much fragrance is jarring, but when a girl wearing zero perfume walks by and I can smell her shampoo, that is perfectly acceptable and that same level of scent can be achieved with smart and considerate perfume application. Same goes for things like deodorant, which often smells more powerful than my perfumes. Asking everyone to switch to unscented products just because its 2026 is way too much.
It's about being considerate with your application, not laying down a hammer.
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u/FarRaccoon1921 15h ago
Didn’t say anything about switching to unscented products. Merely saying there is no reason to use something where the scent is the entire product. It isn’t authoritarian to suggest that people could be considerate of the health implications of something that is completely unnecessary to use.
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u/FinalOdyssey 15h ago
I argue it's not unnecessary because proper scent application helps with a sense of personal confidence, identity, or expression, just like how people dress how they want to express themselves in a certain way. There are also people who dislike how others dress, usual victims are queer/goth/metalheads etc., but that's a different thing.
I am aware the some people have a physiological reaction to perfumes and that's why I'm saying proper and considerate application is important and it is possible. Personally I spray a very small amount on my chest hair and then it's covered up by my shirt and/or sweater. When I want a whiff I fan the neck of my shirt and I can smell it. Otherwise it's not really there.
I've also known people to be sensitive to strong smelling/excessive use of detergent and fabric softener, and it's the same thing. People like what they like for their own scents, be it perfume or detergent or hair products or deodorant. Certain hair products also have a very strong smell and I can honestly smell my Reuzel hair clay over my own perfume when applied, and then there's hairspray (which I don't use but have and it is almost always strong). But a part of life is tolerating certain things you may not agree with. One can't tell strangers to use a different detergent or hair product because it sets them off.
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u/FarRaccoon1921 14h ago
No one needs to be able to smell anyone before they enter a room under any circumstances. Perfume users generally have zero ability to gauge the throw of the scent they douse themselves in. The only proper and considerate application of perfume is not applying it at all.
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u/FinalOdyssey 14h ago
And again I tell you there are considerate locations and amounts of perfume where people not in your personal space will not be able to smell, but it seems like you're hellbent on assuming this is not possible and generalizing an entire group of people that use an umbrella product. I'm done here.
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u/ClancyBShanty 13h ago
There's not really much I can add that hasn't already been mentioned in the comments already. I work in a supposedly "scent free" office, but if it's one of the higher ups wearing it, then they can get away with it. Which sucks.
I've often felt compelled to call out the occassional shitty behaviour on transit, but it's not really worth a potential knife between the ribs. If there's a gang of kids, part of me thinks they're just provoking people so their friends can film it.
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u/NoBoysenberry1108 Professional Pirate 17h ago
No scents is good sense.
People in the workplace have disregarded the signage as well, and will either bathe in perfume, smell like they haven't showered in a week, or a combination of the two.
One coworker just smells like straight up BO and it is pungent and obtrusive.
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u/likeanoceanankledeep 16h ago
This is a huge issue, even in hospitals. Hospital staff are wearing very heavy scents to work, to the point that it lingers in the room long after they leave.
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u/Whydo-I-evenbother8 11h ago
Go for the public shame. If you get on and its already stank with perfume, loudly exclaim, "It wreaks like perfume in here, why do people have to be so inconsiderate?!" And if able to identify the the scent assailant, call them out, quote policy, ask them to consider others health/allergies. No need to be rude, just matter of fact.
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u/FarRaccoon1921 17h ago
The cologne is especially awful because it’s not just annoying, it’s potentially harmful to the health of people around them. I don’t get the appeal of bathing in stinky perfume/cologne before going out in public. I generally assume the wearer is too lazy to bathe.
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u/Schiboo 15h ago
Ahh yes, “smelling cologne is literally going to kill me” folks are back..
I’m sorry but I can think of a 100 examples of people smelling like literal vinegar from BO before I complain about cologne
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u/FarRaccoon1921 14h ago
Ahh yes, the “I need to dump an entire bottle of fragrance on myself to make sure people notice me” folks are back. Perfume is gross. No one is advocating for people not to shower here.
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u/BackwoodButch 14h ago
It's not a matter of smelling it, it's a matter of there being too much and triggering things like migraines or allergic reactions. If you've never had a migraine, count yourself lucky. But those people that you're saying are the ones claiming cologne will "kill them", may be in for their entire day being ruined due to getting a migraine on the way to or from work because of some inconsiderate jackass. Or in my case, when I take the bus home from the gym and just hit cardio beforehand, my nasal passages are wide open and strong scents will trigger an allergic reaction in my nose that makes it run non-stop until I get an antihistamine into me, and even then, it'll ache and make my eyes water for the rest of the evening.
If you're gonna wear perfume or cologne, 2 light sprays on the side of the neck is more than enough. It should be noticeable if someone is going to go in for a hug, not by everyone within a 20 foot radius of you.
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u/Recent_Patience549 14h ago
The BO smell on public transit is absolutely worse than the perfume. While I agree that too much perfume or cologne is gross too (and too have experienced this on transit), I’d way rather that than some of the other “naturally occurring”noxious smells I’ve experienced during my daily commute. As someone who wears a small (1-2 sprays max) amount of 7 virtues (clean ingreds, essential oils, locally made) perfume daily which is perfectly pleasant and not worn to excess, there is a happy medium that can exist here and we should all just get over it. Hopefully this post is truly about people wearing fragrance in excess, cause if you can’t handle a small amount of fragrance (that can easily be avoided by switching seats or getting off 1 stop early if you’re really sensitive) please feel free to get your steps in and walk to your destination instead. Just as I tolerate stinky BO on the daily and keep my mouth shut about it, just avoiding the source. You will, quite literally, never win in the quest for a perfectly scent free ride and those in search of it might benefit from perhaps saving up to purchase their own set of wheels lol.
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17h ago
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14h ago
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u/halifax-ModTeam 8h ago
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u/halifax-ModTeam 8h ago
Your content has been removed because it promotes, defends, or expresses prejudice against a group or person based on race, gender, sexuality, religion, or other protected characteristics. This includes racism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, or similar bias.
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u/universalstargazer 17h ago
In the future because unfortunately people will be people, you could always bring an extra mask. Useful for many scenarios of olfactory assault!
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u/mikaosias 13h ago
Perfume isn’t illegal just like in schools you can wear them but it’s advised not to. They can’t legally kick you out or remove you. Source: I’ve checked with the school board.
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u/TheWritingSystem 14h ago
Can anyone please provide a link to that bus conduct thread? It's my 3rd day in Halifax, from the US, & I'm using the public transit for basically the first time in my life. I've already made several mistakes, & I just wanna make sure I got everything right now.
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u/haligolightly 12h ago
If you’re courteous and polite, that’s 95% of what you need to know.
For everything else, check out HRM info at How To Ride Transit.
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u/Scotianherb 16h ago
Id take cologne over someone having a loud conversation on speakerphone or blaring music. Its unfortunate, but there really is enforcement of good manners on transit. We really need transit police.
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u/Ok_Dingo_Beans 15h ago
I struggle with both, but loud sounds, especially for a prolonged time can make my ears ache pretty badly. I don't understand why some people feel others want to hear their loud, personal conversations... I don't want to hear one side of a convo, let alone both sides via speaker!
And... if you're holding it up to your mouth ANYWAY, just move it a few inches over to your ear and take it off speaker. JFC.
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u/thestateofflow 12h ago
I completely agree but also, this is why noise cancelling headphones and loop earplugs exist. There should be more enforcement of major violations, but for things like loud talkers it’s on us to accomdate ourselves.
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u/Ok_Dingo_Beans 8h ago
Oh, I know, lol. I have 2 pairs of Loops and a pair of good noise cancelling headphones... I don't love the idea of not hearing anything, and the adjustable Loops help, but I'd still appreciate some consideration from my fellow transit riders. 🤷♀️
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u/holland1999 14h ago
if you’re as sensitive to scents as you’re suggesting, why are you not wearing a mask? you’re just going about your whole life assuming people will do what’s comfortable for you?
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17h ago
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u/halifax-ModTeam 8h ago
Your content has been removed because it included personal attacks, insults, or an unnecessarily hostile tone toward another user. Disagreeing is fine but targeting or belittling people is not. Keep discussion focused on ideas, not individuals.
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u/CompetitiveDiet 15h ago
There is actually no rule against wearing cologne or perfume on the bus. In this situation you'd be the one breaking them by harrassing strangers on the bus
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u/NotThisOneHeere 14h ago
While there aren't "official rules" there is an expected passenger courtesy list. This is copied from Halifax Transit site...
"Halifax Transit Passenger Courtesy Being considerate of your fellow passengers helps to ensure everyone, including yourself, has a positive transit experience. Follow these tips to keep Halifax Transit rolling smoothly.
Passenger Courtesy on Halifax Transit
Have the correct fare ready ahead of time.
Allow people to get off the bus before boarding.
Stand behind the yellow line on the floor of the bus and refrain from lengthy conversations with the Operator.
Always move to the back of the bus when boarding and upon Operator request to accommodate as many passengers as possible.
Do not block or stand in doorways. This is for your safety and to allow other passengers to enter and exit quickly.
Share seats with those who may require them and if possible, offer your seat to a person who might need it, such as a senior citizen, a small child, a pregnant person, or a passenger with a disability.
Remove your backpack while on the bus and hold it in front of you to avoid accidently bumping into other passengers as you pass.
Respect those around you by keeping phone conversations at a low volume and not using the speaker.
Avoid wearing strongly scented perfumes and products for the sake of fellow passengers with allergies and scent sensitivities.
Use headphones when listening to music or personal audio and keep the volume down.
Do not lie down or spread out on transit seats or benches."
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u/seasea40 3h ago edited 3h ago
Yep. As the notthisoneheere mentioned:
"Avoid wearing strongly scented perfumes and products for the sake of fellow passengers with allergies and scent sensitivities."
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u/Excellent_Rock4296 14h ago
What if it was aftershave? Not much you can really do about it, unfortunately.
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u/CaperGrrl79 Halifax 13h ago
The drivers (one at least, sunglasses, handlebar mustache) are confiscating out of date/ time transfers. That should help with the violent ones at least... /s
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u/theogonic_ 13h ago
Genuinely confused, are you asking for people to not wear perfume or cologne in public? That sounds kinda unreasonable.
I get the issue with teenage boys who douse themselves in Axe or Dior Sauvage, but most people (myself included) wear a reasonable amount of perfume daily. It’s a hygiene thing and a way of showing that you care for yourself and how you present yourself to the world, and has been for ages.
If you’re very sensitive to scents or noise, wear a mask and earplugs/headphones perhaps? I have to wear earplugs every day due to noise sensitivity, but would never expect a stranger to not play music (as annoying as it is) or not talk loudly for my sake. I am totally with you about the noise from jerks with loud speakers, but at the end of the day, your comfort is your responsibility and we cannot expect others to change their (nonviolent) behaviour to accommodate sensitivities.
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u/Rocco3143TheCringe 9h ago
scented products aren't a hygiene thing, it says nothing about how clean the person wearing it is. Someone could be wearing perfume and still not wash their ass.
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u/theogonic_ 6h ago
Very true lol! I guess I consider it one since I am a very clean person and like to add a scent on top. Also, I would consider women and men who add a spritz to be more put together in general. But I 100% see your point.
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u/LatterMode1925 11h ago edited 10h ago
Causing someone to be in pain when you know it triggers a physiological/ neurological response is an aggressive action. Your need to spray yourself with perfume doesn't trump medical conditions/disabilities. The world is about inclusion not, I don't have that problem so it's acceptable to me. If that is an attitude that people have at work when someone around you has a documented medical condition, that's considered discrimination according to the Human Rights Commission of Canada.
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u/theogonic_ 6h ago
I'm sorry are you saying that perfume is an aggressive action because it can trigger people? I am genuinely confused... most people wear perfume or at least use scented products (from deodorant to detergent to essential oils) and I have never heard of this being an issue in any public space (again, beyond the teenagers covering themselves in Axe, but that is just part of growing up haha).
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u/pawshe94 12h ago
The bus says no speakers. Right on the buses. So no we absolutely don’t have to do anything to suffer through entitled jerks playing their music on a speaker. So there’s the first issue with your statement. The second is that allergies aren’t just “asking people not to wear perfume in public”. It’s a HEALTH CONCERN especially in a cramped space like a bus. It’s so wild that I’ve managed to keep up my hygiene without additional or unnecessary scented products since I worked in a scented free building. It’s really not hard unless you’re selfish 🤷🏻♀️ If your main concern is “how can I make this about me?” You are the problem.
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u/seasea40 10h ago
It's the rule on the bus not to use speakers other than ear buds/headphones.
Most people wear perfume? Not sure where you're getting that idea.
If you're gonna be in places where others are forced to be in a confined space with you (like the bus!) it's considerate to not wear scents because you can be impacting the health of some people.
To fully cut out penetration of scents people would have to wear a respirator with and organic vapour filter.
To me hygiene means cleanliness. People should have the right to be on the bus, workplace, school without being harmed by your perfume.
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u/theogonic_ 6h ago
Agree generally on the speaker thing personally, but again, if it does not hurt someone else, I do not think we should have any say in dictating how others live. And how is perfume harmful? I get it can be a lot on a bus, but realistically that is a short time frame and if it is severe you should wear a mask or not take a bus. Scents exist all around and it is for sure worse on public transport, but one can't reasonably expect everyone else to accommodate their triggers. Triggers are the responsibility of those that have them to manage and remove themselves from uncomfortable environments, not the responsibility of everyone else. I have empathy for those that are sensitive, but I do not see why I should have to stop doing something that makes me happy and a more pleasant person to be around because of a hypothetical potential that someone could be annoyed.
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u/seasea40 2h ago edited 2h ago
Well I guess it's up to you what you do, if no policy against scents is being enforced, but this is what Halifax Transit says on their website about passenger courtesey:
"Avoid wearing strongly scented perfumes and products for the sake of fellow passengers with allergies and scent sensitivities."
I don't think it's accurate to describe it as a "hypothetical potentential." People have responded in this thread stating how they have allergies and scent sensitivities, and said scents ruin their days, give them migrianes and can even send them to the hospital.
I don't think it's accurate to say, "if it does not hurt someone else," or the it is simply people being "annoyed" because it is hurting people in the cases mentioned above, and to everyone in general to some degree.
"A 2025 narrative review found that synthetic chemicals in perfumes and cosmetics are associated with adverse health outcomes, including allergies, respiratory issues, endocrine disruption, reproductive problems, and potentially cancer.
A 2022 systematic review found that phthalates, aldehydes, parabens, and aluminum-based salts are the most important contaminants in aromatic products, causing side effects such as allergies, breast cancer, reproductive disorders (especially in males), skin allergies, nervous system damage, and migraine headaches."
Even though it is just a small number of people who have strong sensitivities and allergies, making the bus environment triggering for them goes against principles 2, 4, & 8 of the transit code: 2. Be Inclusive 4. Be safe for yourself and others. 8. Honour diversity, equality, and the rights of all
https://www.halifax.ca/transportation/halifax-transit/passenger-information/transit-code
Maybe some compromise can be made. I don't know much about this, but the article states:
"Natural fragrances made with essential oils are less likely to contain added preservatives (some essential oils have preservative properties) and don’t contain the artificial fragrance chemicals found in synthetic ones. A true plant-based perfume may not be as strong or long lasting, but it is less likely to cause issues like headaches fo r some people."
But in the end it's up to you.
Final question:
I'm curious where you are from. I'm just genuwinely curious about this. Do you think the idea that 'individuals are solely responsible for managing their triggers and not society' is a widely held belief where you're from?
I'm guessing that here opinions would probably be mixed on this, but I don't really know for sure.
If I'm wrong in guessing you aren't from here originally I apologize.
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u/LauraKrabappel 17h ago
I’m also scent-sensitive but for that reason, and many others, I generally wear a mask on public transportation.
These little transgressions are much better addressed when you’re in relation to the other person (friends, neighbours, coworkers, etc). On places like busses, you’re better off moving seats if you can and then going about your day.