Giving up seats to older people.

If I'm on a crowded bus or train, I'm not shy of asking for a seat from someone younger. I am only 63 but have hip problems, and standing for long periods often is painful. I have never been refused, although I know that in most cases the seat is given up very grudgingly. I used to get the school bus (normal service bus) home after helping at Dad's and the school children always offered to let me sit. I was always impressed, it is a very good school.

With you all the way there Jingl- and I am not shy at asking for bag, coat to be removed (a lot of people do that on trains and buses- as they don't like to be cramped- tough!). If they don't move it of their own accord, or when asked- I'll just pick it up, put id down and get myself comfy - LOL.

When DD1 was very pregnant and commuting to Waterloo from Surrey- it was not kids, or 'chavs', etc- not giving up their seat- but City gents in crisply pressed suits reading the Times and pretending not to notice.

I remember travelling standing up all the way on a train from Bath to London 6 months pregnant with a 14 month old toddler, not a single person offered me and DD a seat, I was close to tears when we arrived 2 hours later. Even when struggling to entertain the toddler/pick her up there was still no offer........ Bad manners don't appear to be anything new, that was 34 years ago

With you all the way there Jingl- and I am not shy at asking for bag, coat to be removed (a lot of people do that on trains and buses- as they don't like to be cramped- tough!). If they don't move it of their own accord, or when asked- I'll just pick it up, put id down and get myself comfy - LOL.

When DD1 was very pregnant and commuting to Waterloo from Surrey- it was not kids, or 'chavs', etc- not giving up their seat- but City gents in crisply pressed suits reading the Times and pretending not to notice.

With you all the way there Jingl- and I am not shy at asking for bag, coat to be removed (a lot of people do that on trains and buses- as they don't like to be cramped- tough!). If they don't move it of their own accord, or when asked- I'll just pick it up, put id down and get myself comfy - LOL.

When DD1 was very pregnant and commuting to Waterloo from Surrey- it was not kids, or 'chavs', etc- not giving up their seat- but City gents in crisply pressed suits reading the Times and pretending not to notice.

With you all the way there Jingl- and I am not shy at asking for bag, coat to be removed (a lot of people do that on trains and buses- as they don't like to be cramped- tough!). If they don't move it of their own accord, or when asked- I'll just pick it up, put id down and get myself comfy - LOL.

When DD1 was very pregnant and commuting to Waterloo from Surrey- it was not kids, or 'chavs', etc- not giving up their seat- but City gents in crisply pressed suits reading the Times and pretending not to notice.

With you all the way there Jingl- and I am not shy at asking for bag, coat to be removed (a lot of people do that on trains and buses- as they don't like to be cramped- tough!). If they don't move it of their own accord, or when asked- I'll just pick it up, put id down and get myself comfy - LOL.

When DD1 was very pregnant and commuting to Waterloo from Surrey- it was not kids, or 'chavs', etc- not giving up their seat- but City gents in crisply pressed suits reading the Times and pretending not to notice.

With you all the way there Jingl- and I am not shy at asking for bag, coat to be removed (a lot of people do that on trains and buses- as they don't like to be cramped- tough!). If they don't move it of their own accord, or when asked- I'll just pick it up, put id down and get myself comfy - LOL.

When DD1 was very pregnant and commuting to Waterloo from Surrey- it was not kids, or 'chavs', etc- not giving up their seat- but City gents in crisply pressed suits reading the Times and pretending not to notice.

With you all the way there Jingl- and I am not shy at asking for bag, coat to be removed (a lot of people do that on trains and buses- as they don't like to be cramped- tough!). If they don't move it of their own accord, or when asked- I'll just pick it up, put id down and get myself comfy - LOL.

When DD1 was very pregnant and commuting to Waterloo from Surrey- it was not kids, or 'chavs', etc- not giving up their seat- but City gents in crisply pressed suits reading the Times and pretending not to notice.

I have been offered a seat on buses in various places and on the tube in London, but still remember standing, 8 months pregnant with a toddler at foot, on a bus in Aberdeen. We were only on the bus instead of walking as usual because I was so tired!

Did you get a seat, jings?

Maybe it depends on age. Whenever I have been with my very elderly mother I have been most impressed that she has always been offered a seat by young people. I would be quite embarrassed to be offered one-I may be over 60yrs ,but I ran a half marathon last year and have just been skiing so really don't need one.

My OH was telling me yesterday how he got up to give an elderly lady his seat on the bus home, he said there were numerous young people nearby but it was him that had to get up , he's not old but at 65 a lot older than many others on that bus.

Me too jane. I recall many years ago when I was seven months pregnant standing on a train. Then a guard came along and in a loud voice said 'How much longer has this lady got to stand before someone offers her a seat?' Then someone did.

A mother offered me her seat the other day which I gladly accepted but she allowed her 3 children to remain seated. There was an elderly gentleman standing, I offered him a seat, intending to turf out one of the darlings but he refused so what could I do? The children were totally oblivious to what was going on and they were aged between 8-11years old so could easily have stood.

Me too. It's the 'Me First' generation. It's not a new thing though - I remember being on buses and trains when very pregnant and no-one offering me their seat.

But jingl don't you know children are little princes and princesses?
They are more important than anyone else and must have their every whim catered for.