Budapest’s Hilarious New “Don’t Be That Guy” Campaign: How to Ride Like a Human, Not a Troll

So, picture this: you’re on a Budapest tram, minding your own business, when suddenly someone whips out a sandwich that smells like it’s been marinating in garlic for three days. Meanwhile, the guy next to you is blasting techno music from his phone like he’s hosting an impromptu rave. Sound familiar? Well, Budapest’s transport officials have had enough of these shenanigans, and they’re fighting back with the ultimate weapon: comedian Gergely Litkai and some seriously funny videos.

Meet Your New Public Transport Guru

The Budapest Transport Center (BKK) basically looked around and said, “You know what? Our buses are getting shinier, but some passengers are still acting like they were raised by wolves.” So they called in the big guns – Gergely Litkai, a comedian who’s won the Karinthy Prize (which is basically Hungary’s equivalent of “this person is officially hilarious”).

Since September 16th, Litkai has been starring in a series of videos that are so painfully accurate, you’ll probably recognize yourself in at least one of them. And honestly? That’s the point.

The Three Golden Rules (That Your Mom Should Have Taught You)

Rule Number One: Patience, Grasshopper

Remember when you were five and your mom said “good things come to those who wait”? Well, turns out she was talking about public transport too. When the tram is late (again), and everyone’s bunched up like sardines at the stop, resist the urge to channel your inner rugby player.

I know, I know – you’ve got places to be. But here’s the thing: pushing through the crowd like you’re storming the Bastille isn’t actually going to make the vehicle arrive faster. Shocking, right? Instead, try this revolutionary concept called “waiting your turn.” Your fellow passengers will thank you, and you might even avoid getting elbowed by that grandmother with surprisingly sharp joints.

Rule Number Two: Be a Human, Not a Zombie

This one’s about empathy, folks. See that elderly person struggling with heavy bags? Maybe don’t pretend you’re suddenly fascinated by the ceiling tiles. And those priority seats? They’re not called that because they’re premium real estate – they’re for people who actually need them.

The campaign hilariously points out moments when we could all use a reality check. Like when someone’s clearly having trouble and you’re sitting there like a statue, hoping someone else will deal with it. Spoiler alert: you’re not invisible, and neither is your opportunity to be decent.

Rule Number Three: Remember You’re Not at Home

This might blow your mind, but that tram you’re riding? It’s not actually your living room. Crazy, right? This means maybe – just maybe – you don’t need to unpack your entire lunch and eat it like you’re at Sunday dinner with grandma. The campaign’s videos lovingly roast passengers who treat public transport like their personal dining room, complete with aromatic meals that make everyone else wonder what died.

Also, fun fact: your phone conversation about your hemorrhoid surgery doesn’t need to be broadcast to all forty passengers. Keep it down, people!

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Why Budapest Decided to Get Real About This

Let’s be honest – Budapest’s been investing serious money in fancy new vehicles. We’re talking 360 new buses, 50 shiny trolleys, and 26 state-of-the-art trams in just five years. Plus, they’ve got plans for 300 more buses and 30 additional trams by 2027. That’s a lot of taxpayer money going into making transportation awesome.

But here’s the kicker: all those fancy upgrades don’t mean squat if passengers are still acting like they learned social skills from a pack of angry badgers. You can have the most luxurious bus in the world, but if someone’s blasting death metal at full volume while eating fish tacos, nobody’s having a good time.

The Comedy Gold Method

What makes this campaign absolutely brilliant is that they’re using humor instead of the usual “thou shalt not” commandments. Litkai’s videos are basically mirrors – uncomfortable, hilarious mirrors that make you go “Oh my God, I totally did that last Tuesday.”

The posters are popping up at stops and on buses all over Budapest, and the videos are being released throughout September like a comedy advent calendar. Even if you don’t speak Hungarian, the physical comedy is so spot-on that you’ll get the joke. We’ve all seen these people. We’ve all BEEN these people at some point.

What This Means for Visitors

If you’re planning to hop on Budapest’s excellent public transport system, congratulations – you’re about to experience a city that actually cares about making the journey pleasant for everyone. The Hungarians have figured out something that many places haven’t: infrastructure is only half the battle. The other half is getting people to remember they’re sharing space with actual human beings.

For tourists, this campaign is like getting a crash course in local etiquette, delivered with a side of laughs. You’ll see exactly what NOT to do, wrapped up in comedy gold that makes the lessons stick way better than any boring rule book.

The Bottom Line

Budapest’s “Cultured Transportation” campaign proves that sometimes the best way to address serious social issues is to make people laugh at themselves. Because let’s face it – we’re all occasionally “that person” on public transport. The difference is whether we’re self-aware enough to do something about it.

So next time you’re riding a Budapest tram, bus, or metro, remember: you’re not just getting from point A to point B. You’re participating in a grand social experiment called “can humans actually be decent to each other in small, crowded spaces?”

The early results look promising, especially when they come with this much humor.