Chivalry please-a vent

[re121258]

My husband rarely sits on the bus or monorail, unless it is totally empty. He will always give up his seat.

My two teenage sons have also been taught to give up there seats.

I'm a middle-aged woman who is in good health, standing is not an issue, so I give up my seat to small children, men/women with small children and the elderly.

As far as people taking up multiple seats with either packages or themselves, I will ask them to move. I'm not shy about. I've ridden public transportation to work for many years and I can tell you I deserve the seat more than someone's briefcase or backpack.

Now, having said that, I would never get on a crowded bus/monorail and expect someone to give me their seat. If I don't think I can stand for the ride, I would wait for another bus/monorail or look for alternate transportation.

 

[daisyduck123]

My usual response to these complaints...

You know nothing about the people on that bus. You don't know their medical conditions, how they are feeling, or anything else. Could they have been simply rude? Yep, but there might have been something else. If you NEED to have a seat on the bus, wait for the next bus or expect to stand.

I have to agree here. I know if a bus seemed too crowded, I would wait for the next one. I would never get on a full bus expecting anyone to give up their seat for me.

Perhaps those people had waited & waited for a bus with available seats. They finally get on a bus with seats. I would not give it up either.

When you rely on the WDW transportation system, you are accepting the fact that there may come a time when you have to stand on the bus. If you don't like it, rent a car, or bring your own.

 

[worm761]

I am pregnant and going to Disney in May. I do not expect people to give up their seats for me. I knew I as pregnant when I went to the park, I knew when I got in line for the bus, and I knew it when I got on. If I need a seat, I will wait for the next bus.

On that note, I have given up my seat and so has my DS. He was raised with manners. But I will not give up my seat to some person who wants one and stands there complaining about how I SHOULD give up my seat for whatever reason they think they need it more than me. I have a problem with the entitlement that people think they should get a seat simply because they have a child. I stood with mine. If you feel it isn't safe then you need to wait for the next bus. Whining because someone doesn't give you their seat is just as rude as not giving up the seat in the first place.

 

[eliza61]

Just back from our awesome trip.....with one complaint. On our resort bus one evening it was standing room only-one person put their kid on their lap to allow my 4yo twins to sit but I was "pushed" past them and onto the upper level with my 2yo to stand for the bus ride holding her. There were several men and teenagers who could have let us sit-you know how those disney bus drivers are-almost fell several times holding her.(it was way to crowded to let her stand). I know everyone is tired at the end of the day but how would they have felt if i had fallen with her. We only had this problem one time luckily-thank you to all those who give up their seat for children!!

Sorry, I'lll be the selfish slug on the boards.

Chivalry and manners would make society a nicer place but they are not GOD give constitutional rights. Your children are your responsibility. If the bus was too crowded for you to safely hold your kids, how about waiting for a empty bus or leaving a bit early so you can beat the crowds. and yes I have children. when my 3 were little, I rented a car just to avoid these situations.

Sorry, I just hate any type of "entitlement" attitude. No one is guaranteed a uncrowded bus ride. You are no more entitled to sit down simply because you have babies than I am. Would I have stood up and offered yes, should I be required to NO!!

 

[pirateandprincesses]

I totally agree with this! I don't like all the posts complaining about having to stand on the bus and EXPECTING someone else to give up their seat.

Is this what the world is coming to? You are the people we are complaining about. My complaint isn't about me having to stand it's about being on the bus holding a two year old not able to turn back around and get off. How would you have felt if I fell with her--or fell on you with her and hurt YOU or your family member? Manners should be expected from people-we don't expect those people standing to turn and fart in our faces-what is that called--oh yeah MANNERS.

 

[Howdy Doodat]

here's my new strategy -- why not just ask someone to stand so your child can sit?

every time we go, i get really angry when i see this (probably unreasonably angry) but i keep it to myself. but rather than get angry about it, i'm going to take a different approach next time and just ask if anyone would be willing to give up their seat for my 2 year old. i'll bet someone stands, and i'll be very gracious about it when they do.

and if they don't (and here's where my wife gets mad at me), well, i could ask again, or maybe just complain loudly that no one has any manners.

 

[househunter]

Amen to that!

Manners and polite behavior are almost dead, due to the entitlement-based country we seem to be living in. Here's basic rules I've taught my children:

1. If you're a male, you give up your seat on the bus to women, children, elderly people, etc; you also hold open doors. If you're a female, you give up your seat for pregnant women & elderly people

2. Take your #%$^^$# hat off when our national anthem plays (this actually makes me sick when I see grown men at sporting events leave theirs on, and I am a Liberal!); put your hand over your heart while you're at it (and while you say the pledge

3. When someone sneezes, bless them

4. Please and thank you...thank you!

5. Nobody at the table eats until everyone has been served; the guest of honor goes first in a buffet line; help the little ones or the old ones if they need it

6. You don't pass up a funeral procession...stop your car and let them pass; if you're walking and one drives past, stop walking an bow your head

7. Put your flag up on 4th of July, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, 9/11, Presidents Day, Election Day...and take it down at night, for cripes sake (unless it is lit)

8. Aunts and Uncles will be addressed as such...no adult is called by their first name unless there is a "Mister" or "Ms" attached to it

9. Tables are for glasses, chairs are for *sses!

10. Don't be a jerk, its not pretty.

That said, a lovely man gave up his seat on a WDW bus in October 2006 when he saw I was ill and he also made sure I got off the bus okay. Thanks to him, he did this in front of his son and set a good example.

Teach your children well.

I'm sorry but some of your "rules" are absurd! If someone waits for an hour for a bus, they should be entitled to a seat- they should not have to give it to someone else who may have just gotten on just because they have a child with them. Everyone should follow the same rules, if you are at the front of the line, you get on first and get a seat. If you are at the end of the line and the bus is full and you don't want to stand, wait for the next bus- then you'll be at the front and entitled to a seat just like the people in the last bus!

I certainly don't expect someone to open a door for me although I will for an elderly or disabled person- that is extremley outdated.

Not everyone has your religous beliefs and do not care to be "blessed" by you when they sneeze whatever that means.

#6- stop walking and bow your head????

#8- that should depend on the individual parent and those that their children address. Our family is very casual and sometimes call adults by their first names- oh the travesty!

You can certainly do what you wish but to preach that others should follow "your" rules is crazy!

 

[daisyduck123]

Is this what the world is coming to? You are the people we are complaining about. My complaint isn't about me having to stand it's about being on the bus holding a two year old not able to turn back around and get off. How would you have felt if I fell with her--or fell on you with her and hurt YOU or your family member? Manners should be expected from people-we don't expect those people standing to turn and fart in our faces-what is that called--oh yeah MANNERS.

You are responsible for your own children. If the bus were that crowded, you really should've waited for another.

 

[Howdy Doodat]

Not everyone has your religous beliefs and do not care to be "blessed" by you when they sneeze whatever that means.

seriously?

 

[LilyWDW]

IMO pregnant women, parents holding children under the age of two, or any children not being held under the age of 6 should get a seat! Even if you are tired, even if you have waited longer, even if, even if...

But why is it a random joes responsibility to make sure of this? It's an honest question. Should it not be the responsibility of the pregnant woman or the parent of the children to be aware of their surroundings? If the bus is getting full and you need a seat, WAIT for the next bus. This is the only way to ensure that you will have a seat. If you need a seat for any reason, then you should take it upon yourself to be sure you get one.

This topic pops up again and again and I always say the same thing...

 

[OandA]

My usual response to these complaints...

You know nothing about the people on that bus. You don't know their medical conditions, how they are feeling, or anything else. Could they have been simply rude? Yep, but there might have been something else. If you NEED to have a seat on the bus, wait for the next bus or expect to stand.

Exactly. I don't understand people's complaints like this. There are always other buses coming. If you don't like it, wait.

 

[Cinderella94]

Exactly. I don't understand people's complaints like this. There are always other buses coming. If you don't like it, wait.

 

[OandA]

You are right LilyWDW-I don't know the people on the bus but what do you think the odds are that out of all the people sitting all of them have medical problems? Not very likely. Heck someone could have even offered to hold her. FYI on several occasions we did wait for another bus.

Why would someone offer to hold your child? Do you know how many things could go wrong with that? What if the child falls and gets hurt? How do they know you wont sue them for something? You seem to be complaining about everyone else not doing something when the simple action would have been for you to wait for the next available bus.

 

[maxiesmom]

Is this what the world is coming to? You are the people we are complaining about. My complaint isn't about me having to stand it's about being on the bus holding a two year old not able to turn back around and get off. How would you have felt if I fell with her--or fell on you with her and hurt YOU or your family member? Manners should be expected from people-we don't expect those people standing to turn and fart in our faces-what is that called--oh yeah MANNERS.

Honestly, I would feel horrible for whoever fell on a crowded bus. But if you get on a crowded bus with a child and then you both fall, I would think you are an irresponsible parent. It is your job to protect your child! If you cannot stand with your child on a bus and be safe, then for goodness sake don't get on the bus!! It is YOUR JOB to keep your child safe, not the job of total strangers!

 

[chigirl]

I'm sorry but some of your "rules" are absurd! If someone waits for an hour for a bus, they should be entitled to a seat- they should not have to give it to someone else who may have just gotten on just because they have a child with them. Everyone should follow the same rules, if you are at the front of the line, you get on first and get a seat. If you are at the end of the line and the bus is full and you don't want to stand, wait for the next bus- then you'll be at the front and entitled to a seat just like the people in the last bus!

I certainly don't expect someone to open a door for me although I will for an elderly or disabled person- that is extremley outdated.

Not everyone has your religous beliefs and do not care to be "blessed" by you when they sneeze whatever that means.

#6- stop walking and bow your head????

#8- that should depend on the individual parent and those that their children address. Our family is very casual and sometimes call adults by their first names- oh the travesty!

You can certainly do what you wish but to preach that others should follow "your" rules is crazy!

OMG...I was being sarcastic. I was just trying to point out that manners are dying. Go have an International Coffee moment....

 

[OandA]

My goodness people!!! The OP was not talking about the 1% of the bus riders with a hidden disability. She's talking about the other 99% of the people that have seem to have lost their manners. My DH & friends were just talking about so many people having a "me me me" complex and this is a perfect example. It's frustrating trying to teach my children to be kind to others and be polite when able bodied adults don't even make an attempt.

But isn't the OP having a "me me me" complex that is just different than the one before? She wants the seats from someone else when there are plenty of other options (waiting for another bus, renting a car, etc.)

 

[Disney-Kim]

I am sorry but I am going to throw in my 2 cents here. Those who get seats were at the bus stop waiting before those who had to stand. There are lines at every bus stop. If you don't want to take a chance of standing either get to the stop earlier or wait for the next bus.

yes...I know the WDW bus drivers like to put us in like sardines....but we know coming up to get on the bus that its packed and we will have to stand. but...if I made a point to be in line early so I could sit...I deserve a seat.

I know everyone on the bus doesn't have a medical condition...but hey...we are ALL tired and worn out and need the rest. I agree that older kids, teens, and others may be ok standing but my aching back needs that seat for that 20 min ride.

don't assume people are rude...we are all not rude....but sometimes I don't feel the need to give up my seat up is justified. now....my DH alwasy gives up his seat to MOTHERS with kids. but I sit.

flame away...but I don't care. We went to WDW with 2 kids last year and they stood on the bus and it was ok....not the end of the world.

 

[Tara922c]

When I was 7 months pregnant, I went to Disney for 13 hour day, which I don't recommend. At the end of the day, I was wobbling because my ankles were so swollen. Anyways, when left MK, the monorail was packed. I had to stand. It wasn't a big deal, but as my big pregnant self was standing, 4 grown men were sitting right behind me. I could stand, and wasn't going to die because I had to stand, I just found it odd that none of them offered me a seat. My friend, and I were the only two females standing up, and I was obviously pregnant. I wouldn't offer my seat to a perfectly healthy looking person, but I would offer my seat to a mom holding a baby, a pregnant woman, or an eldery person. I wasn't really mad they didn't offer me their seat, where I am from men give up their seats, but it would have been nice if they wouldn't have ran past me to get a seat!

 

[Amy&Dan]

The OP stated she was just joking about having somebody hold her kid. I think the issue was that she was pushed back away from her twin four year olds, she was holding a toddler and therefore felt like maybe it wasn't all that safe. I can't imagine anyone here who has children who would think that was an optimal situation. I guess there are things she could have done in hindsight, like yell at people to stop shoving her, gotten off the bus etc, but she didn't because I am sure that bus was packed and it was happening fast.

I am sort of sad to see this one doing what these threads always do. Turning into an attack of the OP and making her sound like she has a me complex and can't understand anybody else's needs but her own. I don't get from her that she is a person who expects Ashley Wilkes to gallantly give her a seat on every bus she rides for the rest of her life. I have stood on a bus when I was holding a small child and its not all that fun. Have any of you who are quick to attack this woman ever tried to do that? Next time that bus sways, imagine you can't hold on because you are holding a heavy child. A two year old is dead weight. Some of you may not realize how you would feel if this were you because you havne't been in that situation yet.

There is no doubt many people have hidden disabilities and that people should never expect anything. Sure everyone on that bus was tired, some people probably were zoned out and exhausted and didn't even notice. But in the end, I just can't imagine that one person couldn't have given up a seat for a woman or man holding a child.

I see both sides to the issue but honestly some of you are really ready to jump on her when I bet you would have felt the same way had you been the one in her place.

 

[Tara922c]

But isn't the OP having a "me me me" complex that is just different than the one before? She wants the seats from someone else when there are plenty of other options (waiting for another bus, renting a car, etc.)

She is holding a baby, that is different from a perfectly healthy woman expecting for a man to give up their seat. I wouldn't feel compfertable sitting down relaxing while a person in front of me is hanging on for dear life, and holding a 2 year old. I don't think the OP is expecting someone with a child on their lap, or someone with a hidden medical condition to give up their seat, or an eldery person seat. She was just saying, back in the good old days, a man would stand up, and say, "you and your child sit".