An act of kindness made me feel old!

I boarded a tightly packed (pre-Covid) commuter train from London Victoria, to find standing room only. As the train pulled out of the station I winced slightly as my knees hurt trying to keep my balance.

A young man was sitting in a window seat, laptop in front of him, obviously working. The train was bound for the South Coast and he was obviously settled for the long-haul. He immediately offered me his seat.

I politely refused, saying I was only going to Clapham Junction (two stops), but loudly thanked him for his consideration and asked that my refusal would not put him off offering someone else in the future.

I thanked him again when I got off the train. I hope my refusal did not embarrass him

Baggs totally agree.

You at 59, and the girl at college would mean you are old enough to be her grandmother so to her you are old.

Very kind of her.

Isn’t it just called good manners, younger people standing for adults? That young lady has been brought up wonderfully well I would say.

I experienced this when I was preggers at 25! It was touching as it was a young fella maybe late teens. I also had the wonderful experience of two very scary looking student type guys carrying my little son , seated in his pushchair down some ridiculous steps at Manchester Victoria station in 1982 they then kept apace just in front of me and carried him up at the other end of the subway!!!What gents!!

Unigran4

I boarded a tightly packed (pre-Covid) commuter train from London Victoria, to find standing room only. As the train pulled out of the station I winced slightly as my knees hurt trying to keep my balance.

A young man was sitting in a window seat, laptop in front of him, obviously working. The train was bound for the South Coast and he was obviously settled for the long-haul. He immediately offered me his seat.

I politely refused, saying I was only going to Clapham Junction (two stops), but loudly thanked him for his consideration and asked that my refusal would not put him off offering someone else in the future.

I thanked him again when I got off the train. I hope my refusal did not embarrass him

Baggs totally agree.

Well done you!

About 8 years ago, when I was in my early 60s, and still reasonably sprightly, we visited Osborne House and took a guided tour. At one point we were directed up a very grand staircase. I stopped for a moment to admire the stairs and immediately a uniformed guide grabbed my elbow and said "Perhaps you'd prefer to use the lift Madam?" He led us to a small lift nearby "My colleague will meet you on the next floor". We were reunited with our tour group and had a lovely day. But I did feel a bit of a fraud, I had only been admiring the grandeur of the stairs and he thought they were a problem for me! But very thoughtful service.

Due to covid, when my husband went for x-ray,there were not many chairs so I had to stand. It didn't bother me. However after about 5 mins a younger lady stood up and gave me her seat. I felt my age

When I was newly married, back in the early 70s, there were always older gents opening the door for me, helping me with my shopping trolley on the bus, and even lifting their hats to greet me! Sadly that generation has disappeared.

She may have been encouraged by her parents or college to be kind. You could phone the college principal to commend the kindness shown by this student.

I'm 63 and no one has ever offered me anything. Don't know whether to feel miffed or relieved ?

Before my hip replacement I struggled to walk and had a stick. I was carrying a bag and struggling to get on an escalator in London. A lovely man asked me if I needed help and he said he only offered to help the good looking ones. At that point I was in a lot of pain and felt very old. Bless him he made my day.

I’ve noticed these acts of kindness more since I’ve had to use a walking stick (aka sticky) whilst waiting for a hip replacement. They’ve all been gratefully received and I make a point of expressing my gratitude. A lot of those being kind or compassionate are young and, whilst it might make me feel old, it does make me think that the often bad press given to young people is unfair

Sorry but I can't understand why some people are offended by offers of help! I always accept and feel grateful that some younger ones have good manners.
Besides getting older is better than the alternative