Women & Children Seated First?

[WEDWDW]

On the bus back to the Resort last night,a man kept telling the men that were seated that they were "unbelieveable" for not getting up and he was telling them he hoped they were all nice and comfortable in their seats.

No one said anything back to him thankfully.

What is your opinion-should it be Disney policy for women and children to sit first?

 

[Lavitz]

Policy, nope. However I always give up seats to kids, pregnant women or the elderly. This is because it is a safety issue. If the driver had to break quickly these people would be highly likely to fall and injure themselves, then have other people fall on them and injure them even more.

Also that must have been the first time in his life he ever took public transit.

 

[branv]

As a woman I find that mindset outdated and insulting. And my toddler can lap me 50 times over for energy (to be fair, I'm 42, so that's not too hard these days). If I hold out at the parks until he falls asleep and just *have* to have a seat, I'm perfectly capable of letting people go past me onto a crowded bus and waiting for the next empty one. My lack of planning is not other people's problems.

Also my 65 yo dad looks to be in his early 50s. He looks like can get around fine. And he can for a while, and tries to hide it when can't. He has terrible arthritis, and if he's been on his feet, within hours his joints starts swelling and can hardly move without terrible pain. If someone tried to shame him that way, if give that ignorant sap an earful.

But would I stand up for an elderly person, a person with mobility issues, or a parent who *has* to hold their child (if I didn't have my own)? Yes I would if I wasn't dealing with my own issues at the time. But that is my choice. I don't assume someone who doesn't is a jerk. Doing so would make me the jerk.

 

[Mum23]

I think it's not a bad thing but policy? No.

I have been a bit (okay, a LOT miffed) when I was holding a toddler and stroller and no one offered him or me a seat to help as it was a real struggle.

 

[kristenrice]

I am a 40-year old female who has worked for 17 years as a paramedic. I am very used to balancing and maneuvering in a moving vehicle so I will offer my seat to ANYONE (male, female, young or old) who wants it. I've been offered a seat and I will almost always decline it, pointing out that I am very accustomed to standing and balancing in a moving vehicle.

As I see it, nobody needs to worry about who is sitting and who is standing...if you want to sit, then wait for a bus that has available seating. If you are OK with standing, then stand, and don't complain about others who chose to sit.

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

Also my 65 yo dad looks to be in his early 50s. He looks like can get around fine. And he can for a while, and tries to hide it when can't. He has terrible arthritis, and if he's been on his feet, within hours his joints starts swelling and can hardly move without terrible pain. If someone tried to shame him that way, if give that ignorant sap an earful.

This always worries me on the bus. My dad is in his mid 70s and looks at least ten years younger than his actual age. I try to make sure he gets a seat; however, my DD's, DH and I are find to stand. We will definitely (and happily) wait for the next bus if necessary to get a seat. I hope we never experience what the OP experienced. Sorry that happened to you OP.

 

[busymommy2pink]

When I had a 5 year old passed out in my arms, in the dark and was made to stand the entire trip back to AKL, I was a bit miffed. I almost dropped her or fell over several times. I always offer my seat to kids, expectant mothers and elderly. I even make my 9 year old get up if there's someone smaller who really looks to need a seat. I think it's good manners and polite to offer your seat to someone who looks to maybe need it more than yourself, but that's just me. I feel like people are far too entitled now a days and lack of common courtesy has long gone away. We don't own a car where we live, and I often walk with my girls (miles per day) over taking public transportation, simply because I can't stand the behavior of the others taking it. I distinctly remember being 8.5 months pregnant, finished an 11 hour shift (demanding, not desk work) and I was starting to sit down and a lady swooped in behind me and sat in the same seat, like my butt actually touched her lap that's how seated I was. But we take it for what it is and don't let it ruin our vacation, we are used to the same back here at home, nothing shocks me. I am pleased someone said something, however. Perhaps it will make one or two people think about sharing their seats with those who need it more the next trip. Then his words will be worth it. And I do think it should be policy to offer a seat to pregnant women, elderly or young children. Our buses here in Toronto now have the half front of the bus to be "priority seating" for those exact people. They changed the color of the seats and everything so it's very clear. I would be all for it.

 

[crazycatlady]

I agree with branv. If someone chooses to offer their seat to a woman or child, that is their prerogative, but they should not presume to lecture others on it. No one knows a stranger's health conditions or issues and has no right to assume they do. And frankly, there doesn't even have to be a health issue. If someone, woman or man, wants a seat on a bus that has no seats left, they are welcome to wait for the next bus. I am not talking about the elderly. I don't think DH would have been able to keep silent if he was being called out for an assumed transgression. That must have been a terribly uncomfortable bus ride.

 

[MarieLightning]

I really just can't abide by that logic. You don't know what someone has been through on any given day, and sometimes certain conditions are not easily visible. Clearly people with that kind of mindset don't stop to think about those things.

I would never feel like I'm more deserving of sitting down just because I'm a woman, versus a man who may have had a much more trying day than me, that maybe has back or knee issues. Same thing with the younger versus older situation. Not in the sense that I don't abide to leaving your seat to the elderly, but younger people shouldn't be automatically judged for not giving up their seats. Physical disabilities don't discriminate on age. Honestly, it aggravates me a lot more to see four seats taken up by two parents with their young child seated in the seats next to them (I'm talking 2, 3 years old) rather than in their laps when the bus is full.

As was mentioned above - elderly people, pregnant women and injured people should have priority in sitting down. Same rules as in any other public transportation. Sure, there can be exceptions, like stated above if there's a parent holding up a sleeping child because that can definitely affect their capacity of staying upright if something happens and there's a sharp turn or something.

Personally, if I want to sit down on a bus and I know the first one to come by is gonna be full, then I'll just wait for the next one.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I'm 65 woman and often get asked if I want to sit. Always say no. I'm perfectly capable of standing.

 

[Dug720]

I really just can't abide by that logic. You don't know what someone has been through on any given day, and sometimes certain conditions are not easily visible. Clearly people with that kind of mindset don't stop to think about those things.

I would never feel like I'm more deserving of sitting down just because I'm a woman, versus a man who may have had a much more trying day than me, that maybe has back or knee issues. Same thing with the younger versus older situation. Not in the sense that I don't abide to leaving your seat to the elderly, but younger people shouldn't be automatically judged for not giving up their seats. Physical disabilities don't discriminate on age. Honestly, it aggravates me a lot more to see four seats taken up by two parents with their young child seated in the seats next to them (I'm talking 2, 3 years old) rather than in their laps when the bus is full.

As was mentioned above - elderly people, pregnant women and injured people should have priority in sitting down. Same rules as in any other public transportation. Sure, there can be exceptions, like stated above if there's a parent holding up a sleeping child because that can definitely affect their capacity of staying upright if something happens and there's a sharp turn or something.

Personally, if I want to sit down on a bus and I know the first one to come by is gonna be full, then I'll just wait for the next one.

Amen!

I pretty much never sit on public transportation - which IS how I get around in NYC. Even when my feet are killing me like they were today after Taekwondo (we did a LOT of kicks and being new to the sport my feet are still adapting). It's just easier to stand than end up squished by someone who thinks their Pooh-sized butt will fit in a space where a Roo-sized butt would be hard-pressed to fit.

I hope that guy NEVER comes to NYC and tries lecturing people on it or we'll all be getting notifications about train delays/diversions/suspensions due to "police activity" when they have to deal with the aftermath of that kind of NOT minding your own business. First thing I learned up here - do NOT look around when there is any kind of commotion and do NOT stick your nose in anyone else's business or even appear to. (Second thing was AVOID the mysteriously empty or rapidly evacuating car. It's that way for one of three reasons, and you don't want to learn the hard way why it's empty.)

 

[Dean Marino]

I'm a 63 year old Male.... I ALWAYS offer my seat to women with children (#1), then any female left standing . Sue me .

 

[Allison]

Of course not and that guy was out of line.

 

[Aurora0427]

I'll be preggo during our October trip, and if it looks like I won't be able to sit, we'll just take the next bus. That way I don't have to depend on anyone giving up their seat. But I do think giving up your seat for the elderly or pregnant is a nice thing to do.

But that guy was out of line.... Totally.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I don't think it should be policy...because...America.

However, there's nothing wrong with chivalry and having that mindset. I know that my DH would absolutely give up his seat for a woman or child. He is a total gentleman and I love that about him.

When we were there and I was 20 weeks pregnant, I was EXTREMELY appreciative of the people who gave up their seats for me, but I certainly didn't expect it. And on some rides, no one got up, and I didn't expect them to.

But having manners and being kind to others is always welcomed.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

It's Disney. Being polite and displaying manners went out of style years ago. It's your vacation and you spent tons of money for that bus seat so fight for it with your life.

 

[HopperFan]

That man was rude. It is fine that he believes that seats should be given up but it's not his place to police others. He may police his own family.

- My age = 3 young adult children.
- Used ATL public transportation for nine years.
- Used NYC public transportation until a week before I had my first child.
- Use Disney buses quite often.

- When I used ATL transportation I was in my 20's but saw many gestures of giving of a seat.
- In NYC I had about an 80% shot of someone giving me their seat once I was obviously pregnant.
- I taught my kids to give up their seat for anyone who seemed to need it more than they did.
- At Disney World, even though I am traveling with an obviously handicapped DS, I would say my chances of someone offering him a seat are about 10% which I find a sad commentary on society. I usually place him at a pole while I wrap my arms around him, spread my feet and hold on. (NYC training)
- To those kind folks who offer him a seat, I let him sit but I stand in front of him. I do not sit.
- Unless we have been waiting too long already for a bus, I usually side step for the next bus so he has a seat.
- I have found guests on Disney buses, particularly young people, do not have the same response to those around them as my kids have been taught.

While I do believe in giving up your seat to someone who is in much greater need of it, I do not believe it is a rule or mandatory or even expected - particularly at Disney. But if my kid was one who did not get up and offer, they would be hearing it from me later, after I made them get up.

 

[Aurora0427]

That man was rude. It is fine that he believes that seats should be given up but it's not his place to police others. He may police his own family.



While I do believe in giving up your seat to someone who is in much greater need of it, I do not believe it is a rule or mandatory or even expected - particularly at Disney. But if my kid was one who did not get up and offer, they would be hearing it from me later, after I made them get up.

I saw a dad giving his son the business for not giving up his seat to an elderly woman on our last trip. It was kind of great. Your post made me think of that. My daughter and future kid #2 will be taught to offer up their seat.

 

[jhaig]

Only if you're in a Titanic lifeboat

Not a policy, but it should go without saying that of course if someone is pregnant, disabled, elderly, carrying a child, or otherwise looks like they're about to keel over from the heat that you should offer them your seat. You can't dictate common decency, but you shouldn't lecture about it in public either.

 

[ariane37]

My DH rarely sits on the WDW buses unless nobody else is standing-always offers his seat, even to men if the rest of their family is sitting, he's holding a child or is elderly. My DH is 55 so not young but not elderly yet lol, but he does have some heel problems and when his heel has been bothering him, I tell him to just sit! Yet he still prefers to stand and let someone else have the seat. I too will offer my seat to those older than myself, pregnant, holding a child, etc and have taught both my sons (currently 13 and 9) to do the same. BUT, sometimes I'm REALLY tired. Sometimes my 9yo is also really tired after a day at the parks. So, occasionally I keep my seat and in those cases don't make DS9 get up.
As others have said, giving up your seat to someone who visually appears to need it more than you is just common courtesy which some people show and some don't, and you really can't get mad as you can't judge just by looking at someone whether they "need" to be sitting or not. Very nice when it happens but I think it should be a choice, not a policy.