Disappointing bus experience

[Stacey2grls]

I know this topic has been thoroughly discussed, but this was my experience. I must say very few men give up their seats for women with small kids on buses. I know that you can always wait for another bus if the bus is too packed, but this case was extreme. Last week we tried Fantasmic, it started to pour, we all made a run for the POR bus stop. Even though we came prepared with ponchos and umbrellas, we were all soaked. When it was time to load the bus we were able to get on, but had to stand. It was late and my daughter 5, was tired, so I had to hold her the whole way almost falling at every turn. Meanwhile, a perfectly fit 25ish looking male with his girlfriend is just sitting right there in front of us watching all of our antics! I also had my other daughter too, who had trouble holding on. I know that everyone has a right to a seat, but under these circumstances wouldn't it have been the right thing to offer his seat to us? My husband basically never sat on down the whole trip, whenever anyone needed it he heartily offered, even though he had to balance a backpack and double stroller. I know that some people have said that there are unnoticable situations such as a bad knee and whatnot but this could not be the case everytime. In the end a woman across from me offered her seat. P.S. this happened many times during our vacation.

 

[NCombs]

Yes, it has been throughly discussed. Sorry, you were disappointed.

My feeling is I don't expect anyone to offer me or my kids a seat. If they want to-great-but I won't be disappointed because of it.

 

[thefigueroas]

My husband did the same thing! On our last visit an elderly woman got on the bus and there were no seats. There had to have been at least 7 men between our seats and the entrance to the bus and NONE of them offered even after my husband offered his and she had to navigate her way through the hording masses to get back there! All of them could not have been incapacitated. I just think it comes down to how you were raised and the fact that manners and chivalry just aren't as important in this day and age to alot of people. It really is sad.

 

[88Keys]

The smartest thing I did my recent trip was rent a car. For the whole week I got a van for $150 and it was the best money I spent (esp with a stroller). The first day, since we were going to the MK, we decided to take the bus to avoid the parking lot to TTC. We waited over a half hour at the hotel for a bus -- then, coming home, we waited almost 45 minutes, stood the whole time, and stood next to a guy coughing on us the entire trip. My 3 and 5 year truly had their patience tested. 3 cheers for WDW providing free transportation, but no thanks!!.

 

[LukenDC]

First, let me state that I take public transport daily and routinely offer my seat to women and the elderly. Now let me offer a man's perspective on chivalry. For the past three decades, men have been raised to believe that women are their equals. They must be treated as equals in job opportunities, salary, and civil rights. It is therefore not a stretch for men to think that women should lose their priority for seats on public transport. I might also add that some women actually become indignant when a man offers his seat or opens a door for them.

With the gains in social equality, women have lost some of their special status and chivalrous conduct has ebbed. While I will continue to offer my seat on public transport to women, I do think that having to stand on a crowded bus while some men sit is a small price to pay for social equality.

 

[Stacey2grls]

LukenDC come on, having to stand on a bus is a small price to pay for equality? I was balancing myself, holding a child, and trying to keep my other daughter from falling. It is just human decency to offer a seat. I wasn't by myself, I can stand all day if need be. But I had two sleepy kids. I feel a real man would get up and offer his seat. (Putting on flameproof suit)

 

[Disney01]

If you don't want to stand, wait for another bus. Maybe that guy waited for an extra bus so he could have a seat. Don't blame him because you HAD to get on the bus instead of waiting. Don't wait until your daughter is so tired that she can't stand up to leave the parks.

One of the things that really bugged me this trip was watching a man give up his seat for a little girl of about 5 wearing a princess dress. Her mother held up about 25 people behind her while she perfectly situated her daughter on the seat. In what rules does it say that an adult gives up a seat to youth? Sorry you were inconvienced, but next time rent a car. We either stood or had a seat, but if we wanted a seat, we more than gladly waited for the next bus. It was our choice.

 

[Feralpeg]

Gosh, the overbundance of human kindness on the boards tonight is overwhelming.

 

[Stacey2grls]

I guess you didn't read what I wrote. I said it was pouring rain, so we couldn't wait for another bus. I don't know how some people were raised, but I was raised to give me seat up to someone who needed it more than I. Simple as that. My daughters are not spoiled princesses, and if an older person offered a seat, I would have nicely declined. Also, sometimes you cannot predict when your kids will get sleepy, one day there were napping in the afternoon, the next up until 11:00, on vacation scheduling goes out the window. I don't expect everyone to get up for me, I just found it to be strange how so many people found this to be acceptable, but yet everytime my husband offered his seat, everytime the person jumped for his seat when offered.

 

[texas munchkin]

Okay, here's my 2 cents worth..

I don't necessarily think it's a male-female thing. I am a female, but if I saw father standing on a bus trying to balance while holding a sleeping 5 year old, then I would get up and offer him my seat. Sometimes it just about love thy neighbor as thyself.

 

[LukenDC]

LukenDC come on, having to stand on a bus is a small price to pay for equality? I was balancing myself, holding a child, and trying to keep my other daughter from falling. It is just human decency to offer a seat. I wasn't by myself, I can stand all day if need be. But I had two sleepy kids. I feel a real man would get up and offer his seat. (Putting on flameproof suit)

My statement about standing is small price for equality was not directed at you, Stacey. It was about the general phenomenon of women standing while men sit. I would have offered you a seat!

 

[ellenmiele]

If I may put in my 2 cents here...

I don't think this issue is so much male/female equality as it is common consideration for someone with small children. I would hope that most able bodied men OR women out there would give their seat to a mom OR dad holding a child (or two). Same goes for giving seats to elderly passengers (also, man OR women).

 

[Jillpie]

As far as the OP is concerned, this post has nothing to do with chivalry or "offering a seat to a woman". It has everything to do with human kindness and compassion. She said nothing about sacrificing seats to "women" in general. She is talking about having children in your arms and trying to do a balancing act!! I am a woman and I would have given up my seat, for gosh sakes.
Call me old fashioned, but I have three sons and we have taught them that if you see anybody (man or woman) with a baby in your arms, you just stand up, its as simple as that. So thats what they do all the time on the buses at DW. Same thing if she is obviously pregnant, or if there is an elderly man or woman coming on board. Its just plain decency and a really great thing to teach all children to do. Shame on the people on that bus that didn't give up their seat for you. And shame on the parents that didn't set the right example.

 

[Stacey2grls]

Thank you Jillpie!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I cannot stand but I do offer a lap to any child who wants one. I have a balance problem and would be far more dangerous if I should fall onto someone.

I put the blame on Disney's decision to go with the new buses with fewer seats. I am afraid that it will take a few people getting hurt before it might be fixed. I also notice (maybe it is my imagination?) but it seems that the fuller the bus the faster they drive which makes the bus ride back to the resort at night the most thrilling ride of the day.

I have had people offer me a seat many times. We linger after park closing so that we do not get in a situation where we might have to stand.

One time I saw a bus driver threaten our group, who was waiting for another bus so we would not stand by, telling us that another bus would not come until his was full and he was not leaving so we had just better get on. Was very memorable for me as I really have not encountered a rude cm before. He might have been pressured to do so.

Slightly Goofy

 

[Stacey2grls]

Glad to hear you would give up your seat LukenDC.

 

[Crazy Kanga]

I am not directing this to anyone in particular, but would just like to add a little story that this thread reminded me of...about two years ago at WDW on a bus at the end of the day at MK a family with two small girls about 1 and 2 were hauling onto the bus back to CSR with a stroller etc.and the babies were crying and the parents were frazzled! My mom took one of the girls and held her for a second while the dad fished a bottle out to help settle her. It was just what another has posted...love thy neighbor, or stranger on a bus, as thyself. It made me feel proud of my mom and it really helped those people out as well as everyone on the bus who didn't have to listen to screaming all the way back to the resort.

 

[NCombs]

LukenDC come on, having to stand on a bus is a small price to pay for equality? I was balancing myself, holding a child, and trying to keep my other daughter from falling. It is just human decency to offer a seat. I wasn't by myself, I can stand all day if need be. But I had two sleepy kids. I feel a real man would get up and offer his seat. (Putting on flameproof suit)

See, this is the part I don't get. Why should it be assumed that a man should give up his seat? Why not an able-bodied woman who isn't holding children?

 

[Winka]

Well-


IT would have been nice if a young man OR young woman had given up a seat for this mother and her child.

Having said that-well, at least, now you know... not everyone's into pixie dust. I'd probably rent a car next time.

 

[KevinM]

Hey Disney01, are you the guy (or lady) in your nieghborhood that keeps the ball when a child accidently kicks it into your yard?

"In what rules does it say that an adult gives up a seat to youth?"

I think they are called the rules of human decency.