A post showing two travellers sitting with their feet on train seats has sparked debate online, with many Malaysians expressing frustration over what they described as poor public transport etiquette.
The post was shared on Threads by a woman who claimed she encountered the situation while riding the KLIA Transit.
Confronted them about their behaviour
In the post, the woman uploaded a photo showing two backpackers seated across from her inside the train.
One of them appeared to be sitting cross-legged with bare feet placed on the seat, while the other had luggage and belongings spread around the seating area.
She wrote:
No wonder the KLIA Transit train smells bad. Their feet are on the seats and their shoes are placed on the chairs. I already told them, but maybe they don’t understand English.”
Her post quickly gained traction online, drawing over a thousand likes and numerous comments from Malaysians sharing their own experiences with tourists.
Netizens criticise behaviour of some backpackers
Many commenters expressed frustration, saying placing feet on public transport seats is disrespectful to other passengers.
Some said the issue was not limited to this particular incident, claiming they had also encountered travellers behaving similarly in public spaces.
Several comments included remarks such as:
“That’s rude behaviour from tourists or backpackers.”
“Please call them out if you see this. Don’t let them feel superior.”
“Legs should be on the floor, not on the seat.”
Others claimed they could “almost smell it through the screen”, joking about hygiene and backpacking culture.
Some suggest stricter enforcement
A few commenters also suggested Malaysia should introduce stricter rules or fines for passengers who place their feet on seats in public transport.
One netizen compared the situation with certain European countries where passengers can be fined on the spot if they place their feet or shoes on train seats.
According to the comment, passengers may face fines of up to €60, which can increase further if unpaid.
The commenter added that similar enforcement could encourage better etiquette among commuters and tourists alike.
View on Threads
