David, a man at Nantes train station, was fined €200 for making a loudspeaker call. Despite no specific national law against loudspeaker use, noise regulations apply. The incident raises questions about public behavior norms, as perceptions of acceptable phone use vary globally.
Man Faces €200 Fine for Loudspeaker Phone Call at French Train Station
Man Faces €200 Fine for Loudspeaker Phone Call at French Train Station
A passenger in France received a hefty fine for using his phone's loudspeaker in public, sparking discussions about noise regulations and public etiquette.
A man, identified only as David, has made headlines after being fined €200 (£166) for using a loudspeaker during a phone call at Nantes train station, France. Speaking to French broadcaster BFM TV, David recounted that he was conversing with his sister when he was approached by an employee from SNCF, the state-owned French railway company. Initially, David was told he would face a fine of €150 if he did not discontinue the use of his loudspeaker. However, the penalty later escalated to €200 after he failed to pay the original fine immediately.
Despite the incident occurring on a Sunday, SNCF has yet to respond to requests for comments from BBC News. The company confirmed the fine to La Parisien but contested certain details from David’s account. Reportedly, David initially thought the warning was a prank, responding by hanging up on his sister, believing it was a joke.
While France lacks a specific law prohibiting loudspeaker phone use in public areas, relevant noise control regulations exist. Under the French Transport Code, using “sound devices or instruments” that disturb public peace could lead to fines. Public sentiment appears to frown upon loud phone calls in shared spaces, with surveys indicating that 86% of British adults find loudspeaker usage unacceptable in public.
Globally, reactions to public phone use vary significantly. In the UK, some train operators provide "quiet coaches" where passengers are expected to maintain a low noise level. Similarly, Trenitalia in Italy has designated "silent areas" in its business carriages for those seeking serenity. Japan enforces strict etiquette guidelines discouraging phone calls on public transport, while South Korea’s Busan Transportation Corporation encourages quiet conversations.
As public spaces become increasingly intertwined with personal communication technology, the debate over acceptable noise levels and public etiquette continues to evolve, influenced by cultural norms and practical regulations.
