Have you ever walked into a place and felt instantly transported? Perhaps the aroma of freshly brewed coffee invigorated your senses, or the soft glow of candlelight instilled a sense of calm. These experiences highlight the often-unspoken power of atmosphere – a carefully crafted symphony of sensory cues that can shape our emotions and behaviours in profound ways.

Humans observed is a series dedicated to one of my favourite pass times, people watching. This article examines the unwritten rules and rituals of human beings during a commute from Bristol Templemeads to London Paddington.