What is up with giving up seats on the bus?

[tiggergirlinMI]

I was reading another thread and it made me think of my recent trip back in Jan/Feb. alone to the World. I am going back end of April/beginning of May and hope I see things differently.
Years ago when riding Disney buses, men and even younger people in general got up to offer their seats to older people and/or women with young children in their arms.
I rarely saw that at all on my 14 day trip. Is it me or has this just about gone to the waste side?
I taught my 2 sons, now grown, at about 10 years old to give their seats up. I must have given my seat up half the time on my recent trip, and I didn't mind doing it, I just was in disbelief of the grown men who just stared and didn't offer their seats to older guest or women toting heavy kids.
Maybe I'm just old fashioned, maybe this doesn't go on anymore?
Would be nice to start a trend and the next time you go to Disney if you ride a bus or even the monorail, if you don't already, offer your seat to someone older or who may need it more than you.
It's how it used to be but maybe I'm just old, lol....

 

[kaligal]

Most men don't give up seats. People aren't raising boys they way they once did. I, too, think it is a shame, but that's how it is.

I'm sure that all the DIS husbands do it and all the DISers will teach their kids to get up for old people, etc. But other than the DIS, men who give up seats are on the Endangered Species list.

 

[Dizfan4life]

Last year, we stayed at AKL for a week and a half and never ONCE did I see a man or a teen boy give up a seat and I was even carrying my sleeping 2 yr old little guy along with a fairly large bag ! We just returned from another week and a half stay at CBR and for a man/teenage boy to give up a seat was a little more common at this resort. I can remember one situation VERY clearly.... it was after MK park closing and once again I was holding my sleeping 3 yr old, with that same bag, and I felt guilty taking a seat from an ELDERLY man who was wanting me to sit. I just had to stare at a middle aged 30 year old guy with hopes that my stare would send him a signal of what you are suppose to do when women are carrying sleeping kids on a bus . I am just glad I married a gentleman because when the bus was full he was NEVER sitting, my poor husband was standing and had our collapsible stroller along with a large camera bag. There was a time that I ALWAYS saw men get up for women, but I just can't explain and sometime I wonder if some men just don't "get it" ?

 

[Brer_roadrunner]

I give up my chair when needed... Only exception is if my daughter is sleeping in my arms... Just remember to thank the gentleman who gives his seat up for you, nothing worse than giving up your spot to someone who doesn't say thank you... I've been there and it's rather aggravating... Again it get's back to people having no manners...

 

[mdburr]

I am a 21 year old man and i have always offer to give up my seat without being hesitant. I have no problem standing on the bus and riding it out.

Sometimes you might even find that little nook and corner to wedge yourself into for balance. lol.

 

[lllGurulll]

I get up when it is feasible. If, however, my 6 yo is exhausted and sleeping on me I stay right where I am at. Generally I make my younger kids share a seat and I will stand. I wouild never expect any child under 12 to stand up though. The drivers I have been around have a tendency to drive in a way that I don't consider it safe for children that young to stand.

One thing I feel very strongly about in this subject though is that women sitting alone that are capable of standing should do so in these situations as well. I tire of hearing that only men are responsible for making room for the elderly or people obviously in more need then themselves.

 

[lllGurulll]

I give up my chair when needed... Only exception is if my daughter is sleeping in my arms... Just remember to thank the gentleman who gives his seat up for you, nothing worse than giving up your spot to someone who doesn't say thank you... I've been there and it's rather aggravating... Again it get's back to people having no manners...

Definitely. I did not appreciate it when I would make room for someone and they did not even acknowledge it. They just acted as if they had a right to that seat and I was a horrible person for being in it in the first place.

 

[JennyMP03]

I'm a 25 year old woman, and I'd happily offer my seat to someone who is elderly, ill, or carrying a child. I don't want to think what my mama would say if she knew I didn't.

 

[srferson]

One thing I feel very strongly about in this subject though is that women sitting alone that are capable of standing should do so in these situations as well. I tire of hearing that only men are responsible for making room for the elderly or people obviously in more need then themselves.

Definitely agree with that. I also notice that people mention women carrying exhausted children and I definitely see plenty of fathers doing the same. My husband and I just started making a habit of not even taking a seat. We just squinched ourselves off to the side and let everyone else settle in. (The exception being when we head to the parks mid-day and the buses aren't crowded anyway.)

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

I see it a lot less than I used to. One time I actually sat on the floor of the bus, because I was holding my sleeping DS. At first I was standing, but I almost lost my balance and fell, so I sat down right on the floor. Not one person said a word to me or offered me a seat...not even the driver.

Whenever I don't need a seat, I always give it up, so does DH.

Lately, I've been waiting for the next bus if the one that pulls up is full and I want/need to sit. This seems to really tick off drivers...why do they care?

 

[dolphindan1]

I will get up and I will make my 2 boys get up too...

You will get some people on here that say its rude and demeaning to women and they got the seat first type thing...heck at work we are taught opening the door for a woman can be considered sexual harassment.....

I was taught it was the gentlemen thing to do, considerate, chivalrous, whatever...I will teach my boys the same way...I like what it stands for...

 

[lllGurulll]

I see it a lot less than I used to. One time I actually sat on the floor of the bus, because I was holding my sleeping DS. At first I was standing, but I almost lost my balance and fell, so I sat down right on the floor. Not one person said a word to me or offered me a seat...not even the driver.

Whenever I don't need a seat, I always give it up, so does DH.

Lately, I've been waiting for the next bus if the one that pulls up is full and I want/need to sit. This seems to really tick off drivers...why do they care?

That is the exact situation that somebody SHOULD offer you a seat. I'm surprised the driver didn't even try to remedy that. I won't allow any parent holding a child to stand. That is completely unsafe. I would hope for the same consideration regardless of being a man. Safety should always come first.

 

[cjb71870]

Just said it to my Mom this weekend as we were waiting for our name to be called at the Sci-Fi Dine-In theatre..... I pointed out how many kids and their younger parents sitting on the bench weren't caring a bit about the older folks standing.... But, the not acknowledging you when you let them in just reminds me of driving......

 

[smidgy]

there was recently a l o n g thread on this subject. a few salient points that were brought up (and will be brought up here.. again.)
: you do not know what someone else is going through, someone may look able bodied, but have a heart condeition, or a bad knee or (as my hubby, 5 foot surgeries, although he still gives up his seat, anyway)
: if you want to be assured of a seat, don't get on a crowded bus. let people ahead of you. be the first on the next bus.
: if you get on a bus and all the seats are filled, maybe some of those seated took the above advice. they wanted to be assured of a seat, and waited for the next bus. because they chose to wait, they do not feel obligated to give up a seat for someone on the next bus (even though my hubby always does)
I have often given up my seat to moms holding kids, little kids, people older than me (although that "pool" of people keeps dwindling every year)
should people waiting in line for a ride/attraction, let a lady go ahead, so she has less time on her feet waiting/ how about a woman holding a child in line? they are on their feet/ or an elderly person?

If you give up your place at every occasion, you will never have a place.

just like; should adults give up their places for the parades/illuninations for children? even if you "staked out that spot for a long time? (Just FYI, my answer is, your little kids can stand in front of me, your teens or you cannot)

yes, there are many able bodied people who take up seats on the bus while moms OR dads are holding sleeping children. bad manners. or little kids are being bounced around while the bus is moving.

there are also many bad mannered people talking up 2 seats when their child could easily sit on their lap. or taking up a seat with a huge backpack.

in summation, people should be considerate, and give up a seat, if they can. and those standing have to try not to judge. maybe the person seated chose to wait, in order to sit.

 

[cjb71870]

Smidgy, you are right on the points .... it just matters on the situation....

 

[Hannathy]

I or my kids will get up for an elderly person although I will wonder why they got on in the first place.

I will often but not always get up for someone with a baby, again wondering why they got on in the first place.

I will not teach my son to indiscriminately get up for women. Men and women are considered equal everywhere now and that includes buses. If they can be on his sports team then they can stand on the bus the same as he.

If I wait on another bus to get a seat you better believe I'm not getting up for anyone.

 

[kaligal]

I or my kids will get up for an elderly person although I will wonder why they got on in the first place.

I will often but not always get up for someone with a baby, again wondering why they got on in the first place.

I will not teach my son to indiscriminately get up for women. Men and women are considered equal everywhere now and that includes buses. If they can be on his sports team then they can stand on the bus the same as he.

If I wait on another bus to get a seat you better believe I'm not getting up for anyone.

Props for honesty. Boo-hiss for attitude.

But you're in the majority. Most men don't get up. Most parents don't teach their kids to get up.

 

[jadedbeauty14304]

I always feel bad when I stand up to give my seat to an elderly person and they yell at me to sit down. lol It has happened more than once. Usually when it is an older man. But I try. I do have my 12 yr old DD stand up for people all the time. She actually prefers standing. She is 5 foot 8 and healthy with good balance, so it works out well. I think it is basically an issue of respect. If I feel I should stand, I do. It is just out of respect for my elders and for pregnant women (been there), and people with small children who I would rather have on their parents lap than standing in front of me. I am so sick of catching little 5 year old Susie and Johnny as they fall towards that rear door of the bus while their parents sit down across the aisle and ignore them. Happens waaayyyy too often. (I prefer sitting by the rear door, that way if I have to get up I can stand by the rear door and get off the bus as quickly as possible. Darn Claustrophobia!!)


Just my opinion on the matter

 

[pooch]

i give up my chair when needed... Only exception is if my daughter is sleeping in my arms... Just remember to thank the gentleman who gives his seat up for you, nothing worse than giving up your spot to someone who doesn't say thank you... I've been there and it's rather aggravating... Again it get's back to people having no manners...

carry me!!!!

 

[livndisney]

Props for honesty. Boo-hiss for attitude.

But you're in the majority. Most men don't get up. Most parents don't teach their kids to get up.

Are you kidding? We just had a thread complaining that no one got up for her children. Heck I have a hard time figuring out who is supposed to get up for who anymore. I don't expect it and will wait for the next bus so that we have seats.