Delenda est Carthago

I hate the use of mobile phones, stereos and other noise-making gadgets in public. The judicious use of earphones seems perfectly acceptable to me, as a way of blocking out the world or adding a soundtrack to your observation of it - but using speakers to impose your tastes on other passengers is nothing short of bullying. I've always wanted to respond with a blast of the dullest material available - perhaps Radio 4's You and Yours or Money Box.

So imagine my utter horror on receiving promotional junk from a rail company this morning: offering a prize of portable speakers! Is there no protection? If violence ensues, they're responsible. Sod the mimsy mention of the 'quiet coach'. If you are so thoughtless and selfish as to broadcast your music to other passengers, you deserve to have the speaker recycled as a gobstopper.

Ten lucky Raileasy customers will be picked out of our Christmas draw and will receive an Orbitsound T3 portable speaker. This small personal speaker produces a great sound and is perfect for sharing music from your MP3 player, music phone or laptop which was recently rated best travel speaker for iPod and iPhone by iPod User - the ideal travel companion (unless you’re travelling in the quiet coach!)