When to give up your seat on the bus

[mom2my3kids]

I would give up MY seat if I think the person really really needed it. But I would not make my kids stand on a moving bus, plus they are tired and deserve every right to have a seat if they get one.

 

[TeddyToo]

To all of you who offer your seat to someone who appears to need it more than you, I wish much . Wouldn't the happiest place on earth be happier if we all brought our manners rather than our sense of entitlement. Living year round in the land of the basis for the Wilderness Lodge, most of us still have our manners and what is given comes back to you. As for me and mine, I will "choose" to display consideration for others.

 

[DaisyD]

Can't believe a woman is saying this? Well, lets see---the pregnant woman would be at Disney World because she has other children and NEEDS to be there. She is also carrying 20-30 EXCESS pounds, and another life inside of her. She was decent enough to GO to Disney, knowing she is in for a bad time, just for her kids.

Elderly people on the other hand do not have kids that they 'need' to be there. Most are there on a vacation by their own choosing. Most also 'choose' to walk around the parks all day. So in my mind they chose to do all this on their own, so they can choose to stand on the bus.

Well let's see. I don't see how a pregnant woman HAS to go to WDW because their kids NEED to go. It is still a choice. I don't think I've ever heard where it is mandatory that everyone go to WDW! The grandparents aren't going to be around forever and maybe treated their grandchildren to WDW. Maybe they have the same reasons as the pregnant woman for going. Because they WANT to. These old folks not only have bad knees from years of walking, perhaps bad backs, athritis and maybe a host of other medical problems that come with the natural process of AGE. Thankfully most women can do just fine at pregnancy. Last time I checked that was what we were made for! I have had 3 kids and I did just fine walking around WDW pregnant. I also was smart enough not to go when I was so heavy with the child I CHOSE to have that I stayed home. In my mind everyone that goes to WDW choses to go there. I never feel sorry when I see a very pregnant woman at WDW. She chose her predicament and chose to go to WDW anyway. Pregnant women are not delicate. Unlike men, women don't whine nearly as much.

 

[beattyfamily]

Oh boy. Here we go!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I have to say that I do sort of agree that just because you are elderly, pregnant, etc. you did walk around the park all day so you can stand a bit longer. BUT- walking on pavement that isn't moving is a whole diffferent ballgame than standing on something going 50mph. So I will give up my seat for someone if it seems they need it. I have gone pregnant a few times and while I don't expect anyone to give up a seat for me it is still nice if they do. Yes- I chose to be pregnant and go to disney but even if I was home and going to work on public transportation it would still be nice, but I wouldn't expect it. Also- as far as aging an unstoppable process, that may be true, but you can still be in shape and athletic. I know people my Mom's age that are in better shape than people half their age. So I don't entirely buy into aging as something you can't control. Yes, you will get older, but you can also make a conscious lifestyle decision. That being said- we do wait for the next bus if it is standing room only because we want to sit.

 

[mousebit]

Elderly people on the other hand do not have kids that they 'need' to be there. Most are there on a vacation by their own choosing. Most also 'choose' to walk around the parks all day. So in my mind they chose to do all this on their own, so they can choose to stand on the bus.

I wasn't going to jump back in here anymore - gave my $.02 worth a couple of days ago. But, I really can't understand this comment at all.

OK, I sort of get the part about the elderly not NEEDing to be there. But none of us really NEEDs to be at Disney or at a lot of other places that we enjoy. When is a vacation not really a choice for any of us? Does someone force you to go?

Are you saying that the elderly shouldn't enjoy spending time with their families, including their grand- or even great grandchildren, because they might not be able to handle a ride on a Disney bus as well as someone younger? To you, WDW is a place of survival of the fittest?

Grandkids and great-grandkids should not get to experience a multi-generation family gathering at the happiest place on earth? Because that might mean that someone younger or stronger might be expected to give up a seat on the bus? And those old folks shouldn't be there in the first place?!

There is no law or code of ethics that requires anybody - healthy or otherwise - to give up their bus seat. But to come up with unkind excuses to justify your choices in not necessary. Maybe I'm just not understanding what you're trying to say.

We all have many rights. We do not choose to exercise them all. You don't HAVE to do anything. It's what you choose to do that makes you the person you are.

 

[maxiesmom]

I look at it this way--If you go to Disney and simply cannot stand on a bus, you should rent a car. You are not guaranteed a seat. You cannot rely on others to give up their seat for you. We all have different opinions on who should stand and who deserves a seat. If you get on a bus assuming someone will give you their seat, well you know what they say about people who assume. It makes a donkey of them. (that is the only way I can phrase it for the boards!)

 

[ducklite]

I just don't understand this need to give up a seat to an elderly person???? I mean if they are that elderly and frail, what are they doing going to a theme park in the first place? It's not like Disney World is somewhere they NEED to go..........they made the choice to go there under the pretense that they must walk/stand/ride for extended periods of time.

Maybe they want to see their grands. Maybe they want to enjoy themselves. WDW isn't just for kids. We're taking my elderly mom to Epcot in May for the Flower and Garden show, which certainly seems more geared towards an older crowd than kids.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Can't believe a woman is saying this? Well, lets see---the pregnant woman would be at Disney World because she has other children and NEEDS to be there. She is also carrying 20-30 EXCESS pounds, and another life inside of her. She was decent enough to GO to Disney, knowing she is in for a bad time, just for her kids.

Nobody NEEDS to be there. And the family could have waited until the baby was born. And unless she's overeating or overweight to begin with, no healthy pregnant woman gains that kind of weight until their last six weeks or so. I gained 22 pounds my entire pregnancy, and seven of those pounds were in the last four weeks. And any woman going to WDW in her last four weeks is really kind of foolish IMHO.

Elderly people on the other hand do not have kids that they 'need' to be there. Most are there on a vacation by their own choosing. Most also 'choose' to walk around the parks all day. So in my mind they chose to do all this on their own, so they can choose to stand on the bus.

The same as the pregnant woman. They don't NEED to be there any more than the elderly people do.

Anne

 

[mousebit]

I look at it this way--If you go to Disney and simply cannot stand on a bus, you should rent a car. You are not guaranteed a seat. You cannot rely on others to give up their seat for you. We all have different opinions on who should stand and who deserves a seat. If you get on a bus assuming someone will give you their seat, well you know what they say about people who assume. It makes a donkey of them. (that is the only way I can phrase it for the boards!)

I agree with your first couple of sentences. BUT remember, not everybody reads these boards or knows what to expect on their first trip. I know on my first trip I had no clue Disney busses would be SRO sometimes.

SO, many people board the busses not knowing they may have to stand and/or not realizing that it may actually be physically challenging for them. They really don't expect anyone to give up their seats for them and are often embarrassed by the whole situation. I don't think that makes them donkeys. Do you really?

 

[seashoreCM]

I look at it this way--If you go to Disney and simply cannot stand on a bus, you should rent a car. You cannot rely on others to give up their seat for you. We all have different opinions on who should stand and who deserves a seat. If you get on a bus assuming someone will give you their seat, well you know what they say about people who assume. It makes a donkey of them. (that is the only way I can phrase it for the boards!)

(copied from another post)
Well ... you could wait for another bus.

In an earlier lifetime I read this children's story about some men who were criticized right and left and ended up carrying a donkey. The story had to do with a girl who could not laugh, until she saw what those men were doing.

I don't remember the title but if any of you recall or can find that story, the "criticized" part is very on-topic to this thread.

As far as the directive to rent a car, I say, uh-uh.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

And unless she's overeating or overweight to begin with, no healthy pregnant woman gains that kind of weight until their last six weeks or so. I gained 22 pounds my entire pregnancy, and seven of those pounds were in the last four weeks. And any woman going to WDW in her last four weeks is really kind of foolish IMHO.




Anne

Hey look- if you want to stand, sit or run alongside the bus that is fine with me but this statement is completely false. I gained way more than 22lbs my entire pregnancy (each time). I did not overeat and in fact ate such a healthy diet that nobody would even eat the foods that I chose (think Soy Turkey). I did however retain an immense amount of water which is pretty much how all the women in my family are when pregnant. I have also spoken to my doctor about it and he let me know that pregnancy is not an exact science. Some women gain 8lbs, some 50lbs. I also was not overweight when I got pregnant unless you consider wearing a size 4-6 overweight (I also lost all the weight with no effort). Also- most overweight women don't tend to gain as much while pregnant. I have several overweight friends who can attest to this. I am sorry to go off topic but I cannot stand when people make a comment like this especially when they are wrong. Everybody is different. Good for you for gaining 22lbs but not everyone is made like that.
Back on topic everyone!

 

[maxiesmom]

Only those who get on the bus expecting someone to give up their seat for them are donkeys. You should not hop on a full bus and expect to get a seat. People stand on public transportation. Why wouldn't the Disney busses be the same?

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay, see I don't see this as rocket science. It's really quite simple...no one, except the physically challenged in a wheelchair/ECV, is guarenteed a seat on the bus..no one! So, if you get on and there is a seat available, sit in it. If you see someone get on and there is only SRO, and that person looks to be in need of a seat..you have two options: stay seated (afterall, you did get there first) or offer the seat to them. No one is 'obligated' to give up their seat..no one!
Are there people that might need to be seated more so than someone else, but not be physically challenged? Sure. And should they expect someone to give them their seat? No. If someone needs to be seated and the bus is SRO, then they can wait for the next bus, be among the first on and get a seat. Simple.

But....and this is the biggie folks....there are those who feel that simply because they are tired, older, carrying young kids, pregnant..whatever...they are entitled to a seat, even if someone has to move out of it. Not the case at all!!!! If you do not wish to stand, and don't want to take the chance that someone will not give up their seat, then wait for another bus. Simple!!

This is a no-win discussion....I don't want to see it start falling apart and heading south due to personal 'comments'..you've all been really good so far. You are not going to convince someone who has a differing opinion about this that they are wrong. Do what feels right to you and let others do their own thing. I consider myself to be a pretty mannerful person. I only offer my seat to someone who seems to need it more than I do.

Perhaps this discussion should be about those people that don't feel the need to go all the way to the back of the bus, filling up all the single seats that are still open. Then, when the driver says "Move all the way to the back." they just ignore him/her. There are plenty of people, standing in the front of the bus, that would love to have that single seat, next to a stranger. Why the heck can't people just move back or take that single seat, or at least tell others there is an open seat back there??? That's my pet peeve!!

 

[LilyWDW]

Oh, don't get me wrong. I would NEVER expect someone to give me their seat! If I get on a SRO bus, then it is SRO and I am sorry out of luck. However, I make that choice to get on that bus KNOWING that I will be standing. If I really really wanted a seat, I would wait until the next bus.

I guess what I have trouble with is why someone who is getting on a SRO bus would expect anyone to give them a seat. It's the definition of "Standing room Only". That to mean to me I would be standing if I get on the bus LMAO.

 

[Ambassador]

We give up seats for everyone except those who appear well enough off to afford a car rental.

 

[boxer]

ok, since everyone wants to be cranky about my seat choices, I've decided on my upcoming trip in April/May, I will not give up my seat to ANYONE.......lol.

And to whoever wrote about pregnant women only gaining certain amounts of weight, you kinda sunk yourself right there-----each women is different, and each pregnancy is different. I'm a man and even I KNOW THAT. My wife is TINY, and just gained about 25 pounds her last pregnancy. The one before that it was only 15 pounds.

 

[goofy4tink]

ok, since everyone wants to be cranky about my seat choices, I've decided on my upcoming trip in April/May, I will not give up my seat to ANYONE.......lol.

And to whoever wrote about pregnant women only gaining certain amounts of weight, you kinda sunk yourself right there-----each women is different, and each pregnancy is different. I'm a man and even I KNOW THAT. My wife is TINY, and just gained about 25 pounds her last pregnancy. The one before that it was only 15 pounds.

I am going to respectfully ask that all discussion regarding pregnancy weight gain be stopped now! It has absolutely no bearing on transportation or giving up of seats on said transportation. It will only cause bad feelings. Enough said. Besides, it's giving me Vietnam flashbacks so to speak...back to my 'heavier times'. So....cease and disist!!

 

[jenrose66]

If I see someone obviously having a hard time...they are elderly or whatnot...I would give up my seat. I think that on a full bus kids and toddlers should sit on their parents lap as that is just the considerate thing to do. Other than that though...I don't think giving up seats is necessary. If you want to sit that bad, wait for the next bus.

 

[crzy4dsny]

Bottom line. If you are a real man you give up your seat for any woman, child, or elderly person. Even if I am the first one to get on an empty bus, I will not sit down if there is a long line of people behind me.