Transport staff told to learn politeness from John Lewis

Transport staff in London should be trained in "John Lewis" style politeness to reduce the rudeness commuters face on their journeys, a new report said today.

The report by the Young Foundation says London has the highest levels of "incivility" in the country and blames the problem on the length of time people spend travelling to and from work.

It also calls for manufacturers to install devices that will tell headphone users how much noise is leaking out in a further bid to reduce the annoyance experienced by Tube, rail and bus passengers.

The main recommendation for London, however, is that transport staff should improve their politeness to counter the "daily abrasiveness" that commuters face. The report said: "Despite being under pressure London's transport officials should try being overly polite."

It said that this is "one of the most effective ways of inspiring good behaviour".

It adds: "London-based companies like John Lewis already include teaching empathy as part of their service skills training."

Besides time spent commuting - an average of 80 minutes a day for Londoners - other factors blamed for causing poor manners in London are the crowded living conditions, high population "churn" and relatively low amounts of leisure time.

However, the report also said that standards of politeness are much higher than some fear and that the public "still cares deeply about civility" and that standards of behaviour have, by some measures, improved.