French Man Fined $200 for Using Speakerphone in Train Station

The passenger was talking to his sister on speakerphone at Nantes station.

A man in France has been fined $200 for using the speakerphone on his cell while waiting at a train station.

The man, identified only as “David,” told CNN affiliate BFMTV that the incident occurred on Sunday at Nantes station in western France.

He said he was talking to his sister on speakerphone when an official from France’s state-owned rail company, SNCF, intervened.

“An SNCF security person told me that if I didn’t turn off my loudspeaker, I would be fined €150,” he recounted.

Initially thinking it was a joke, David was shocked when the official took out a notebook and issued the fine. Since he didn’t pay on the spot, the penalty increased to €200 ($207).

Determined to contest the fine, he has hired a lawyer.

Public use of speakerphones or loud videos is often considered disruptive. A 2023 etiquette guide by Debrett’s, Britain’s authority on manners, advised that phone calls should be kept private, stating:

“Nobody should be forced to listen to your phone conversation; it will be annoyingly distracting and might be intrusive or embarrassing.”