French Man Fined $200 for Using Speakerphone in Train Station

The incident highlights growing tensions over public phone use and noise etiquette in shared spaces.

A 54-year-old man, identified as David, was fined €200 for using his phone on speaker in the Nantes train station, violating French public transport noise regulations.
The fine was initially €150 but increased when David refused to pay on the spot, prompting him to hire a lawyer to contest the penalty.
SNCF, France's national railway operator, has been cracking down on disruptive phone use, citing the need to preserve quiet spaces for passengers.
Public opinion in France is divided, with some supporting stricter enforcement against noise pollution and others criticizing the severity of the fine.
The case underscores broader debates about balancing individual freedoms with collective rights in public spaces.