Standing room only on buses

[disneynewbee]

I notice alot of people with slightly older kids are having them stand for other people as well. I will not do this. My dd will be 13yo on our next trip and she will not be standing. She may be a teen but she is still my baby and I want her to be safe and I do not feel standing is safe. I will stand and so will dh but if anyone wants to get an attitude about her being in a seat so be it because she will be. Usually she has a younger sibling in her lap but even if she doesn't she is sitting. When she is 18 she can decide to stand if she wants to. She is perfectly healthy and able bodied but she is not an adult.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I come from a rather small city, but one that's big enough to have its own buses. I used to ride buses as a kid with my parents and I have been riding one most of this year to work, so I probably have a different attitude then a lot of the Disney vacationers. Here goes:

It is common curtesy for a young, healthy person (mostly men, but maybe I am being sexist) to give up his seat for a child, woman (sexist, again!), or older or disabled person. It is rude to be an ADULT on a bus and be unhappy, insulted, or otherwise visibly irate that a CHILD will not move from a seat. Children are smaller, younger, weaker, and have less balance and energy than most adults. I see no reason why anyone thinks why a parent is being rude for not putting a child on his or her lap. There is also the added condition of weather. The air conditioning may be on, but if you are coming back from a resort, you are still sweaty. Why should a sweaty parent have to put a sweaty kid on his or her lap?

Our last trip, I did get up once or twice to offer a seat. I even put my 6 year old on my lap once. But there were other times where my feet hurt just too much to stand, or I was too hot to have another body on my lap. In those cases, I didn't move.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I prefer to stand, it's kind of like surfing. I don't hold on to anything either. So if a 6'2", 220 lb man goes flying into your lap, it might be me. I'll apologize for you, then swipe your wallet.

Wow I just learned a new way to fun my vacaton.

 

[scoolover]

Funny story. One time we were sitting on a bus when an older pregnant lady holding infant twins and two bags of groceries got on. My son kicked her in the shin and she hit the deck like a ton of bricks. Boy did we get a laugh out of that one.

For you serious people out there - I'm kidding. I give up seats and I expect the same from my son.

 

[BamaFan121s]

Here's my 2 cents on buses--blunt, but the truth:
1) I realize some have special circumstances and this may not apply to them, but, it AMAZES me that any adult can spend ALL DAY...HOURS...walking around a park and then act like children if they don't get to sit on a freakin' bus. I'm tired, you're tired, we're all tired.
2) If I feel like I absolutely, HAVE to sit on the bus. I will wait for a second one. I assume that unless you are one of the people in a wheelchair or scooter waiting up front, then you've been walking around the park all day without problems and therefor are perfectly capable of standing on a 15 min bus ride as well. (I know there are exceptions, but I find it hard to believe for the MOST part that you have a physical ailment that let you walk in the park, but won't let you stand on the bus.

That's what my brain tells me, but I know that it's just not how things are. So, I do now and will continue to give up my seat to someone who I feel needs it more, be it an elderly individual, someone with an infant, etc. Not because I have to, because morally I feel that is what is right and I want to stay in Mama's good graces. My decision to do so is based on what my gut tells me, generally based on something that is physically observable. If I felt like someone else NEEDED it more than me. No, I'm can't accurately judge other people's needs...so if you have any other ideas, let me know.

I have 2 choices: Do things one way just because I feel that is what logic should be, or do things because it is not going to kill me to be a better person. I have been on the recieving end of an offered seat when I had a young (as in 1 year old, not 6 or 7 year old) child in my arms. I know how appreciative I was. I'm not required to return the favor, but why not?

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I saw a number of posts stating people not giving up seats as rude and selfish. I am a mother with young kids too, but I was brought up to know that putting people in uncomfortable situation is rude and selfish.

Interesting statement, and there is two ways to look at it: It you have the ability to stand, it is unkind of you not to give up your seat. But, this statement also means that it is selfish of you as the stander to demand that someone sitting be uncomfortable instead of you.

In other words, while it may be common curtesy to make room for others on the bus when possible, it doesn't give you the right to be upset is someone decides not be be curteous.

Is this really that big of a deal? What percent of your vacation is spent on the bus, anyway?

 

[tinkerbellmom31]

We stayed at Pop in May and the buses were full on some occassions. MY husband and I had to stand a few times, but we were standing up, trying to hold onto something while holding a sleeping child , a backpack and a stroller. I looked around and saw several younger people sitting. Couldn't one of them get up and offer a seat? Where is the common courtesy? When my children are awake and we find seats on the bus, we always make them sit on our laps to make room for other people to sit. My husband has also offered his seat while both of my children sit on my lap. I couldn't understand why no one would offer their seat to me. They could clearly see that it was unsafe for me to be standing. I wondered if maybe people think that it is my problem because they are tired and deserve a seat as much as I do and the fact that i have a child is also my problem. But surely people can't be thinking like that. If i was someone like that i would be truly embarassed for not offering my seat.

You got on the bus with a sleeping child , stroller and a bag if you wanted to sit you could have waited for the next bus. Usually its pretty obvious if your going to get a seat or have to stand. After a long day with our 3 kids we knew we would want to sit so we stayed out of the line on a bench until the line was almost empty. We many times waited 45 min, why should we have to give up our seats. We have put our kids on our laps, gave up seats and shared our seats with kids so they were not standing wrapped around a parents leg. But at the end of the day I will wait so I can be sure to get a seat. I never expect someone to give up there seat for me.

 

[maxiesmom]

Man, after reading about everyone's trials and tribulations on the bus, I have to ask why more people don't just drive themselves to avoid any possible altercations. I guess some people would rather put up with the inconvenience since it's a free bus ride, and then b**** on the DISboard when they get home.

Exactly!

I agree that it would be nice if everytime a mom with kids got onto a bus someone would hop up and offer their seat. But it is not going to happen, and you should not get on the bus expecting it to. If you simply must sit either get a cab, rent a car, or wait for the next bus. There are options, use them. Stop complaining about what someone else didn't do and take care of yourself!

 

[BamaFan121s]

Funny story. One time we were sitting on a bus when an older pregnant lady holding infant twins and two bags of groceries got on. My son kicked her in the shin and she hit the deck like a ton of bricks. Boy did we get a laugh out of that one.

For you serious people out there - I'm kidding. I give up seats and I expect the same from my son.

OMG! That is awesome...I would LOVE to have you guys on our bus...how fun! Try this one next time. Randomly throw stuff or squirt someone with one of those misters. at someone holding on with one hand and holding a stroller or kid with the other. What are they going to do about it, they don't have an extra hand!

 

[katlas&kids]

This is getting good. Mind if I sit here?

 

[KathyRN137]

I love these threads because it's fun to watch fur fly. You would think by the way everyone always talks that people with disabilities outnumber those of us who are healthy.

You would not be so flippant about people with disabilities if you or your child were disabled. You can never know what your future will hold. I hope you never find yourself in my position, Mattsdragon.

I would gladly trade any consideration given to our family because of our disabled son to have him normal and healthy again.

BTW, he sits on my lap on the bus if someone looks like they need the seat more than he does.

 

[maddhatir]

Funny story. One time we were sitting on a bus when an older pregnant lady holding infant twins and two bags of groceries got on. My son kicked her in the shin and she hit the deck like a ton of bricks. Boy did we get a laugh out of that one.

For you serious people out there - I'm kidding. I give up seats and I expect the same from my son.

I'm dying here!

OMG! That is awesome...I would LOVE to have you guys on our bus...how fun! Try this one next time. Randomly throw stuff or squirt someone with one of those misters. at someone holding on with one hand and holding a stroller or kid with the other. What are they going to do about it, they don't have an extra hand!

can you imagine-- it would be like highschool again and the bus driver would tell us he has to pull the bus over if we dont behave!

 

[BamaFan121s]

And he would get a spitball to the back of the head too.

 

[maddhatir]

And he would get a spitball to the back of the head too.

WASN'T ME!

 

[english rose 47]

Doesn't anybody get it if you have a severe back problem you may well have rented a wheelchair all day, standing is agony maybe and to wait for another bus !! I guess my standards of mannners are reflected in my sig. That's how I was raised and that's what I saw and taught that to not be polite was down right rude. You people are coming up with all sorts of excuses for a mean spirit. I'm not meaning thosre with hidden disabilities But you could say why you're remaining sitting. Like 'I have a bad knee or I'd gladly give up my seat' That's both polite and understandable,I wouln't expect to be given a seat because of my gray hair, I' m healthy can out walk most in my family [again that upbringing] I' ve also read how people cut and push sounds like these buses truly are cattle cars. Wish the budget would stretch to rental or cabs but it won't. So I'm hoping that at least 1 person reading this has a change of heartand the world of chivalry scores one!

 

[heatherfeather24]

Doesn't anybody get it if you have a severe back problem you may well have rented a wheelchair all day, standing is agony maybe and to wait for another bus !! I guess my standards of mannners are reflected in my sig. That's how I was raised and that's what I saw and taught that to not be polite was down right rude. You people are coming up with all sorts of excuses for a mean spirit. I'm not meaning thosre with hidden disabilities But you could say why you're remaining sitting. Like 'I have a bad knee or I'd gladly give up my seat' That's both polite and understandable,I wouln't expect to be given a seat because of my gray hair, I' m healthy can out walk most in my family [again that upbringing] I' ve also read how people cut and push sounds like these buses truly are cattle cars. Wish the budget would stretch to rental or cabs but it won't. So I'm hoping that at least 1 person reading this has a change of heartand the world of chivalry scores one!

So, how, exactly are we supposed to be able to tell who we have to explain ourselves to and who we don't? Makes sense to me that if there is someone who is either 1) obviously in pain; 2) obviously too young or old to be safely standing; 3) pregnant; or 4) dangerously standing (i.e. standing holding a sleeping kid) then I give up my seat. However, I don't quite understand why one adult would be required to explain why they don't give up their seat to another adult without any indication that the stander is somehow incapable of doing so.

And with all teenagers -- the safest assumption is that chivalry is, in fact, dead.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

This is getting good. Mind if I sit here?

Well I already gave up my seat so you're going to have to stand!

 

[Sammie]

I have to agree with BamaFan. The crowded standing room only bus is not the Last bus for the day. Others will come. If you don't want to stand, simply wait for the next one.

In fact if you are truly tired; sit on a bench, have a rest, let others crowd on and wait a bit and you can almost always have the bus to yourselves. We do this all the time.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Well I already gave up my seat so you're going to have to stand!

That is just wrong!!!!!!!

 

[ILVPOOH]

I just wish they wouldn't allow anyone to stand on busses. They should just get more busses. We are staying at the POP in August and I know my husband won't sit, because he knows he'll end up giving it up for someone else. So for the whole trip he won't be able to get a seat. But when we went in March and stayed at the Swan their busses were never crowded, even at park closing. Wish we could stay there again, but we are trying to save money on this trip.