Giving up a seat on the bus

[serene56]

I would not give up my seat. more then likely I waited for the next bus

 

[Purple & Pink Mommy]

For our first Disney trip a couple years ago (we're about to go back for our second trip), my husband and I would each take a kid and put them in our laps. They were 2& 3 at the time and he would also handle our double stroller as well. There was also a couple of times he stood and I took both kids on my lap so others could sit. They were crying because they each wanted their own seat but we tried to take up as little room as possible. I thought this was common courtesy, not bus etiquette.

 

[Miskey]

I have bad knees and terrible balance. I may look perfectly fine to you, but if I were to give you my seat, I'd probably wind up in your lap. If a bus is full, I wait for the next bus. Hate the way they pack those buses like sardines

 

[LuvDaisy&Minnie]

I have read most of the "give up seat" threads and know how they turn out...there are so many differing opinions. It has never occurred to me NOT to give up my seat to someone who needed it. My husband would also never sit while a lady or a person with a child stood. And my teenage son better not sit while there are those people standing. What I have learned from this board is not everyone feels that way. Some people even have said they would be offended if someone offered them a seat. I honestly never knew that existed!! I will still expect my son to offer his seat. I'm sorry if someone takes offense to that. And I wouldn't take someone else's seat if they asked me because I don't need one, but I certainly would think it was nice that they asked. And I do think it is rude to have a small child in his/her own seat while others stand. And people disagree with that too.

 

[DisneyOma]

Just wondering what peoples feelings were about giving up your seat on a bus. We were on a full bus going to the parks. DH was carrying DGD who is 2 and not one person got up to give him their seat. We were on another bus just me and DH and an older lady got on, now she was much younger than DH, but he got up and gave her his seat. Just wondering how people feel about giving up their seat for someone. I feel it common courtesy to do it. Also when my kids were younger and it was a full bus I made them sit on my lap to free up a seat for someone else. I didn't see many people doing that this trip. Is it just me or do others feel the same as me?

What one person feels is right does not make it so. Perhaps you just got on a bus where everyone who saw your predicament thought that they needed a seat as well at that moment on that bus. Would you be able to judge each person and guess if they were able to stand or not? Bet you couldn't tell that I need a seat. I don't have grey hair, or small children, but I do have a huge chunk missing off the back of my leg which makes it hard to balance on a moving bus.

I wouldn't hesitate to give up a seat for an older person or someone holding a child either. I would like to think we are raising our boys to do the same by example. Holding doors for people, waving 'thank you' when someone shows you road courtesy, saying please and thank you to a server or anyone who shows you kindness. Unfortunately, I see less and less of these behaviors, especially on the roadways and it makes me sad.

Do you have girls too, or only boys?

 

[Nohal]

I have read most of the "give up seat" threads and know how they turn out...there are so many differing opinions. It has never occurred to me NOT to give up my seat to someone who needed it. My husband would also never sit while a lady or a person with a child stood. And my teenage son better not sit while there are those people standing. What I have learned from this board is not everyone feels that way. Some people even have said they would be offended if someone offered them a seat. I honestly never knew that existed!! I will still expect my son to offer his seat. I'm sorry if someone takes offense to that. And I wouldn't take someone else's seat if they asked me because I don't need one, but I certainly would think it was nice that they asked. And I do think it is rude to have a small child in his/her own seat while others stand. And people disagree with that too.

I didn't realize this was such a hot topic when I started the thread. Just figured that common courtesy was involved but i guess not everyone feels the same way we do.

 

[Allison]

I have bad knees and terrible balance. I may look perfectly fine to you, but if I were to give you my seat, I'd probably wind up in your lap. If a bus is full, I wait for the next bus. Hate the way they pack those buses like sardines

Unfortunately, while you waited for the next bus so you could get a seat, other people get on the bus after you and decide it is okay to be judgmental in the name of "common courtesy". You just can't win.

 

[teller80]

And my teenage son better not sit while there are those people standing.

Even if he was going through chemotherapy and was very, very tired, like my son was at 15? He looked fine (no hair loss), and could make it through the parks, but by the time we got to the bus he was ready to go back to the hotel and rest. Please do not judge people who do not give up their seat.

 

[jimmytammy]

I am 50 and still give up my seat to seniors and those with little kids, expectant mothers, etc. Its just common courtesy

 

[LuvDaisy&Minnie]

Even if he was going through chemotherapy and was very, very tired, like my son was at 15? He looked fine (no hair loss), and could make it through the parks, but by the time we got to the bus he was ready to go back to the hotel and rest. Please do not judge people who do not give up their seat.

I know there is no way for you to know this because you don't know me, but this couldn't be farther from how I think. I don't expect anybody to give anyone else a seat if they can't or even if they wish not to. My point was that the OP was going to get all kinds of opinions differing from her own. And that's ok. She may even be shocked, as I was, that some people get offended when you offer them your seat. I just had honestly never realized that happened. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, just as I am. I do not look up and down buses wondering why people do not stand, however, I do choose to give my seat to someone if they need it and also expect my son to do the same. We don't need them. If there comes a time when we do, we will stay seated...just as I would think anyone who needs their seat would do. I realize that just because I choose to do that doesn't make it right for everyone. I am in the healthcare field and realize that not everyone that looks able bodied is able to stand. I, however, thankfully, can if needed. I'm truly sorry that your son needed chemotherapy, and no, I would not expect him to stand. Nor would I have wondered why he didn't. I hope he is feeling better.

 

[goofy4tink]

No one should be offended if offered a seat, nor should anyone be judged, or called out, for not offering a seat. No one has any idea of the reasons someone is seated and not offering their seat to someone else.
As I said before, you have options if you have to have a seat on a bus..
1. wait for another bus
2. take a cab
3 rent a car

There are many people here that use public transit every single day, and there is seldom, if ever, a case of seats being offered to someone else. I've said it before...WDW transportation is really great. But, it isn't going to work for everyone. There are always going to be those guests that need to find another form of transportation. Just the way it is.

 

[serene56]

Unfortunately, while you waited for the next bus so you could get a seat, other people get on the bus after you and decide it is okay to be judgmental in the name of "common courtesy". You just can't win.

Can not tell you how many rude comments my son (age 22 at the time) got from many people as he sat on the bus.. used a scooter so was first in line. As people stated-- you have no idea what conditions people are dealing with. My son looks like a healthy young adult-- who was in the marine corp and sent to afganistan-- and was hurt. Shatter ankle 1 surgery and bad back (2 surguries now ) stuff you can NOT see. But the rude comments affected him and he will not go to places like that any longer

 

[ttintagel]

With my health conditions, a healthy woman carrying a baby is much more able to stand on a bus ride than I am.

 

[bpadair32]

Here is my opinion. I am a healthy 32 year old man. I can stand on the bus without any issue. If I see someone who appears to not be able to stand comfortably, or if someone asks for my seat, I will stand and let them sit. It is the right thing to do. That being said, there are many people, both men and women, my age, younger, older, who for reasons seen or unseen do not have the ability to stand and need the seat. Therefore, you should not question or make comments to someone that did not give up their seat, because as many have pointed out you simply cannot tell if they really need the seat or are just being rude.

 

[stinkpickle]

If somebody is going to stand, hold the hand rail, and show their sweaty armpits to the world after a long, hot day in the parks, it's going to be me!