Interview with Katie
Confessions of a cap
Article published January 15, 2026
Have you ever witnessed inappropriate behaviour on public transit?
Unfortunately, people sometimes forget their manners on buses and trains.
To discuss this topic, we met up with Katie the cap, a polite piece of headwear whose owner tends to be a little too headstrong.
In this interview, Katie reminds us that simple gestures, such as letting people out before getting in, can make everyone’s journey much more enjoyable.
Introduce yourself and tell us about some of the behaviours you’ve seen on public transit.
Hello! My name is Katie. I’m a cap belonging to a woman with a big personality, who sometimes behaves rudely in public.
Unlike my owner, I’m impeccably polite. Every morning, I give a friendly nod to my bus driver, say hello to the inspector, and smile warmly at the ticket agent.
While riding on public transit, I’ve seen my share of surprising things: people throwing their trash on the ground, and others blocking the doors without caring about the passengers who are trying to get on or off.
I’ve even seen a passenger refuse to give up their seat to a pregnant woman. It’s like they’ve lost their minds!
How do you feel when your owner acts inappropriately?
I once saw my owner shove a fellow passenger just because she was in a hurry. I was mortified! I wanted to tell her that having a little respect for others can make everyone’s journey so much more enjoyable—even her own!
Katie the cap’s travelling tip
To avoid bothering your fellow passengers, I suggest speaking quietly and avoiding the use of speakerphone.
How do you believe caps can influence human behaviour on public transit?
Caps have a unique perspective of the world. If we could speak, we’d be true ambassadors of respect on public transit.
For instance, we’d organize “courtesy days,” where each hat-wearer would share a positive message with their fellow passengers.
It could really improve the atmosphere on board and bring a smile to the faces of exo’s sales and service staff.
If you could give your owner one piece of advice to improve her behaviour on public transit, what would it be?
I’d tell her to take a deep breath and think about others. And maybe even try to smile a bit more! Kindness attracts kindness, it’s a fact!
Etiquette is a shared effort
Simple, often spontaneous actions create a smoother, safer, and more pleasant environment.
Although her owner can sometimes behave in ways that shock and annoy her, Katie hopes she’ll make positive changes.
She encourages us all to think about our actions and realize that a little courtesy can go a long way.
Discover other interviews with civic‑minded objects and the principles that guide exo in terms of civility across the network.
