A 54-year-old man, identified only as David, is fighting a €200 fine he received for making a phone call on loudspeaker at the Nantes train station in France. The incident occurred on a Sunday when he was speaking with his sister, and an SNCF employee approached him, threatening a €150 fine if he didn't stop using the loudspeaker mode. David claims the fine escalated to €200 after he refused to pay immediately, prompting him to hire a lawyer for legal assistance.
SNCF, the state-owned railway company, confirmed that David was fined in a quiet area of the station and questioned his account of the events, suggesting that the situation escalated before the fine was issued. David initially thought the fine was a joke and hung up the phone but later learned of the consequences from staff members who are authorized to impose such penalties.
Although France lacks strict national regulations regarding the use of mobile phones in public areas, there are existing noise control guidelines. The French Transport Code addresses the disturbance caused by sound devices in publicly used transportation spaces, potentially resulting in a fine for those disrupting the peace.
Public opinion surveys reveal strong disapproval of loud phone conversations in shared environments, with many individuals viewing such behavior as unacceptable. Different countries have adopted various methods to manage noise levels in public transport settings. For instance, UK train operators often provide designated "quiet coaches" for passengers seeking a calmer atmosphere, while in Italy, Trenitalia offers silent areas on its trains.
In contrast, Japan enforces strict cultural norms that discourage phone usage on public transport, and passengers are warned against speaking loudly or taking calls. Similar advice is provided in South Korea regarding courteous phone behavior on public transport. As David's legal dispute unfolds, it highlights the ongoing conversation about noise regulations and passenger etiquette across global transport systems.
