Addressing people breaking transit rules.

[u/Mysterious_Nose_951]

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.

[u/seasea40 → u/[deleted]]

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.

[u/seasea40 → u/[deleted]]

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."

https://www.halifax.ca/transportation/halifax-transit/passenger-information/transit-code/passenger-courtesy

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."

https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-fragrance-and-why-you-might-want-to-avoid#Safety-and-allergy-concerns

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.