Why Won't You Give Up Your Seat on the Bus?

[mickeyfan2]

I always give up a seat if someone looks like they need it more than me. It feels good to give up a seat and it feels crappy to sit there and watch someone struggle. I don't care if they kept their kids in the park too long or they are only a "little" old or a "little" pregnant. If they need a seat more than I do, I get up. I don't mind being kind - I'm at Disney World!

I agree. Someday my day will come and I will really need to sit. I hope that another kind sole is there riding the bus.

 

[WDWorBUST]

I went to Disney at 32 weeks pregnant and was offered a seat almost every time that it was standing room only. I did not expect it - but I did gratefully accept most of the time. However there were times that I did feel like the person offering needed it more than me (based solely on appearance of course) and stood. I have been on the buses with a sleeping 13 month old and been offered a seat. I always offer my seat if I can manage. What infuriates me more than any other thing is when you see a family and they have a child anywhere from 2 to 4ish taking up a seat with people standing. In most cases a child that size can sit on a parents lap without causing discomfort. My DD absolutely loves the buses (they're an attraction of their own) and wants to sit in a seat by herself (she's always in a carseat - it's cool to here), but I would never allow her to sit in a seat if someone had to stand because of it.

 

[ducklite]

If you are traveling with children, why do you get on a bus that obviously has no seats available and then expect someone to give up a seat for you? Why don't you simply wait for the next bus?

This is something that I just don't understand. Why would you get on a bus with no seats and then get upset because you had to stand? It just seems very forward to think that someone else should be put out because of your poor planning or reluctance to wait for the next bus. I just don't get it. I'm not trying to bash, just really trying to understand why people with kids feel entitled to seats.

To me it's like going to a ball game where they are giving away free ball caps to the first 100 people, arriving during the first inning, and getting upset because you didn't get a ball cap.

Anne

 

[LoraJ]

I agree with Ducklite!

I can't stand the Disney buses and use them as little as possible. We rent a car and it saves us the aggrivation.

 

[NJDad18]

If my family (4 of us) all can't get a seat on a WDW we wait for the next bus. Why the rush, we're on vacation.

 

[FOV]

Why would you get on a bus with no seats and then get upset because you had to stand?

...I'm not trying to bash, just really trying to understand why people with kids feel entitled to seats.Anne

Ducklite - I don't recall anyone in this thread being upset because a seat was not offered to THEM personally. It is just a discussion amongst people who are observing other people not offering their own seat to someone who appears to be in need of a seat - and please don't think it is just about about people holding babies. If you read through the whole thread I don't think you'll see anyone complaining that they themselves were not given a seat.

I was really just trying to understand why some people always offer a seat to those who appear to need assistance (very young, very old, disabled, pregnant, holding a baby etc....) and those who take the "Equal Rights" approach and come H*** or Highwater they will absolutley not volunteer their seat to anyone. I guess I just am trying to understand the latter group.

I find this thread to be pretty interesting - especially the reasons for not offering your seat. Lucky for me that I am in great shape and don't need a seat on a bus but if my health situation changes guess I'll rent a car.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Ducklite - I don't recall anyone in this thread being upset because a seat was not offered to THEM personally. It is just a discussion amongst people who are observing other people not offering their own seat to someone who appears to be in need of a seat - and please don't think it is just about about people holding babies. If you read through the whole thread I don't think you'll see anyone complaining that they themselves were not given a seat.

I agree, no one on this thread said anything about not getting a set and feeling entitled to it.

Myself I am rather lucky. I can't remember many times when I haven't gotten a seat and needed it. I must have a friendly face (and super cute kids) because most times someone always pops up and offers me a seat, or standing wasn't much of an issue. Of course I normally make eye contact and smile and my baby has this habit of saying Hi to and waving to everyone. I guess that helps!

Before my youngest was able to walk I always made sure I had her in a carrier so if I was standing it was safer (and easier to get on and off the bus with bags and a stroller.)

No one is saying they are entitled to the seats, just it is the right thing to do.

 

[Mr._The_King]

I always give up a seat if someone looks like they need it more than me. It feels good to give up a seat and it feels crappy to sit there and watch someone struggle. I don't care if they kept their kids in the park too long or they are only a "little" old or a "little" pregnant. If they need a seat more than I do, I get up. I don't mind being kind - I'm at Disney World!

Well said

 

[traci]

I have been one of those mom's holding a small baby boarding a dw bus. you can't imagine my relief when someone offers a seat...I would also gladly do the same if someone needed my seat and I was sitting there (w/out small baby in arms of course).

I also want to teach my son respect. I want him to be one of those teenage boys that grows up to offer a seat when the elderly, disabled or parents that need one.

 

[goofy4tink]

If you are traveling with children, why do you get on a bus that obviously has no seats available and then expect someone to give up a seat for you? Why don't you simply wait for the next bus?

This is something that I just don't understand. Why would you get on a bus with no seats and then get upset because you had to stand? It just seems very forward to think that someone else should be put out because of your poor planning or reluctance to wait for the next bus. I just don't get it. I'm not trying to bash, just really trying to understand why people with kids feel entitled to seats.

To me it's like going to a ball game where they are giving away free ball caps to the first 100 people, arriving during the first inning, and getting upset because you didn't get a ball cap.

Anne

Anne, I don't think anyone has actually 'said' they felt they should be able to get a seat just because they have a small child with them. I believe the OP was asking why more people do not get up and offer their seat to someone who may need it more than they do....at least that's how I understood it. I have seen mothers tell their kids to get up and give their seats to elderly couples...warmed the cockles of my heart!!!

I will say that I agree with what you posted earlier 100%!!!
I'm sure there are people that get on the bus and 'think' there is room...I have to assume that there are times when people just don't know any better. I have seen people standing, while there are some single seats empty further back, but for whatever reason, those already on the bus aren't happy about moving back to see them. I have been in that situation, having to scream down to the front of the bus that there are 'x' number of empty seats back here!!! One woman, holding a young child, actually said she didn't want to sit apart from her dh...could someone move so they could get two seats together!!!! I know, not a big deal in the big picture, but the bus driver was trying to get people situated so he could move the bus, babies were screaming, etc. Yes, someone did offer to move but the woman could not 'shove' her way back to that seat...and no, I didn't give her my seat...I was already standing. Just wanted those that felt they needed those seats to know they were available.

There are always going to be those who feel 'entitled' and those who are going to be just plain inconsiderate. There is nothing we can do to change it..other than try to model well-mannered behavior for other to emulate. We do what we can.

 

[Mr._The_King]

I remember waiting holding my asleep DD in a huge line for the POP bus. It was the close of MK, so we expected a long wait and we were not disappointed. I was about three busses back in the line when a bus that was handicapped accessible pulled up. As the bus lowered, to allow the guests who needed that type of bus on, a group of Dads started booing. If my daughter had not been asleep in my arms I would have confronted them. I am sure they do not offer their seats to anyone either.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Unless we all start wearing labels like "I can't stand for more than 10 minutes", or "I am standing challenged" it should be customary for small children to sit on their parents laps and for sitting people to ask standing people if they would like there seat.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Another note: Is it possible to walk miles and miles throughout the day or week, but not be able to stand for 10 minutes?

Can people whom cannot stand, be able to walk for miles?

(This is a scenerio regarding WDW).

 

[JerJan]

People don't give up their seats on buses because the US is lacking in on thing that parents no longer teach their kids about, it's called a LITTLE CLASS!

Alittle thing called "COMMON COURTEOUSY" goes a long way.....too bad not many people teach that to their children anymore because it was never taught to them!

 

[4formickey]

I guess I should get something to eat to This will be a good thread. I have extra popcorn. I drive a bus in Chicago so I get to see it all and for all the wrong reasons.

 

[DebbieB]

I have problems with my legs hurting after a long day and I hate having to stand on the bus holding onto a pole. So I rent a car, I always get a seat. Usually the only time I take the bus is for a late night at MK and end up regretting it.

I witnessed something today in the Atlanta airport. The train to the gates was very crowded (there are no seats). There wasn't much room when the train stopped at A concourse but this large family insisted on piling on. There were no poles or straps left for them to hold, so they all started to fall when the train moved. People who were holding poles were helping to hold them up. Then when it gets to B, where I and several others had to get off, they all just stand in the doorway! They were going all the way to E. Someone finally said, you are going to have to get out to let the others out. Use some common sense, the doors were already closing when they jumped on originally.

 

[susancl]

Another note: Is it possible to walk miles and miles throughout the day or week, but not be able to stand for 10 minutes?

Can people whom cannot stand, be able to walk for miles?

(This is a scenerio regarding WDW).

Pain/weakness is invisible. Many people rent wheelchairs in the parks because they can't handle the walking. My DM has a knee condition which prevents her from being able to walk the distance required in the parks, but she can walk to the bus. She may be too weak to stand in a moving bus some days. So, it's difficult to know if someone can stand in the bus. As a general rule, I give up my seat to anyone who may need it. It is always appreciated.

 

[Friendly Frog]

I am female and I was raised to always give up my seat to someone older than I am, to those who are pregnant, or who are holding a baby. To me it was automatic and it made me feel good.

I now have problems with sciatica. My first trip on property was last year. I had to rent a ECV each day, and I guess I was naive about how long the lines on the buses would be ( It was Sept. so I did not expect much of a line.)

I had a very difficult time standing for the buses. We tried to find a transfer wheel chair to use from the ECV to the bus, but they were next to impossible to get.

My "condition" is invisible ( except perhaps for the painful look on my face.) I did not expect anyone to give me a seat on a bus. It really did not matter if I stood in line or on the bus, so I got on. I will never forget the kind mother who moved and held her daughter so that I got a seat. You made a difference in my evening, had I stood much longer I certainly would have been in tears.

(BTW, I ended up renting a wheel chair so this would not happen again. The dirty looks my husband and I received because our folding wheelchair took up space on the bus...well that is another story. )

Thank you kind people who give up your seats...and to those who do not, I bear you no grudges.

 

[Friendly Frog]

I guess I should get something to eat to This will be a good thread. I have extra popcorn. I drive a bus in Chicago so I get to see it all and for all the wrong reasons.

I would love to hear your take on things. I bet you see everything from those who really need a seat and can't get one, to those who do not really need a seat and expect one.

So what part of human nature comes out the most? Generosity, or self preservation?

 

[TCPluto]

No one is saying they are entitled to the seats, just it is the right thing to do.

This pretty much says it all. Well said DisneyDoc.