Backpacks are harmless on the surface. They carry snacks, cameras, water bottles, souvenirs, emergency biscuits, everything a tourist needs. But the moment you step onto the Tube, your backpack transforms into a weapon of mild destruction.

Which is why the number one rule is simple: Take. It. Off.

Keeping your backpack on your back in a crowded Tube carriage is the height of commuter crime. The moment you turn, your bag sweeps across three people like a pendulum of inconvenience. You risk hitting someone’s head, smashing someone’s phone, or knocking a child into a stranger’s knees.

Place the bag between your feet. Hug it. Set it on your lap. Do anything except wear it like a proud mountaineer in a space the size of a shoebox.

Londoners appreciate bag awareness. It shows that you understand the spatial limitations of the Underground. It shows that you respect others’ personal space (which is already dangerously low). And most importantly, it prevents unexpected bag-to-face collisions, which no one enjoys.

Another tip: Do not unzip your backpack in a crowd. You will elbow someone. You will drop something. You will cause chaos. Wait until you’re safely off the train.

Also, beware the side-bag swing. These crossbody bags look stylish, but when worn in cramped conditions, they can knock into people like a rogue shopping trolley.

The Tube is a shared space, and the smallest adjustments, like removing your backpack, make you a hero. A considerate backpack-removing hero. And you’ll be rewarded with fewer glares, easier movement, and a smoother journey.