> perhaps the asshole in this situation was not the pregnant woman, but me, for being slightly annoyed by the request.
Mrs. Apple Pie has had 6 children and she tells me that in the situation you describe, the pregnant woman was pushy and taking advantage of the good will of others.
Personally I think society can withstand this up to a point, but when it happens too frequently to sustain the feeling of what you call a saintly glow, you end up with a fragmented, frustrated society like America. :p
I don’t know whether people in England eat or at least carry home “take-away” food onpublic transit, but another bugbear of mine is visibly grease-sodden food in paper bags or boxes, and the greasy fingers holding them, inevitably touching seats and poles!
I am mainly a walker for shopping etc. within 1-4 km in my neighbourhood, but to go farther afield in Toronto I must use public transit, as we do not have a car, bicycle or moped. All Transit vehicles — streetcars, buses and subway cars — do have Blue “Priority” Seats, and recently I heard about the promotion of a “Pregnant” Button such as you mention. Nonetheless, the blue seats are most often occupied by young and to all appearances “able” individuals or groups. All too many are rather pointedly fixated on their devices so as better to be able to ignore those standing in front of those Priority Seats! I am not bold enough or assertive enough to ask for a seat, unless on behalf of someone else!
I have usually preferred to stand, whether because I am going only a short distance and want to remain near the exit, because I prefer not to squeeze in beside another passenger, or because I do not trust the cleanliness of the seats.
As a petite and now grey- or white-haired female, though strong and healthy, I have recently begun to be encouraged, even ordered, to sit. This is most often done by young or younger women, often those from cultures which “honour” their elders. In a city with many immigrant women employed as “caregivers”, I have even experienced almost aggressive grasping of my elbow to seat me! Kind, yes, but frankly, unappreciated!
My other transit vehicle “ beef” is those who lean against or stand at the doors, stop after stop, misleading and certainly impeding those who DO want to exit! Again, there are notices ON THE DOORS warning against doing so.
And what about large bags taking up a seat? Or feet on seats? Or dogs on seats?
My family of origin did not have a car, and as urban people, we travelled on foot or on public transit. I was enjoined never to kneel on the seat to look out the window in such a manner that the soles of my shoes or, in wintry Montreal, , snowy slushy boots, might soil the clothes of others standing near.
Yes, I've definitely seen a lot of older people on the tube politely but firmly turning down priority seats that they very clearly do not want to sit in. With you on your pet peeves - bags on seats is a fascinating topic. I could almost write a whole post on that based on another recent experience on the tube (and possibly will, following this comment!).
> perhaps the asshole in this situation was not the pregnant woman, but me, for being slightly annoyed by the request.
Mrs. Apple Pie has had 6 children and she tells me that in the situation you describe, the pregnant woman was pushy and taking advantage of the good will of others.
Personally I think society can withstand this up to a point, but when it happens too frequently to sustain the feeling of what you call a saintly glow, you end up with a fragmented, frustrated society like America. :p
Thanks for the kind reception of my comments.
I don’t know whether people in England eat or at least carry home “take-away” food onpublic transit, but another bugbear of mine is visibly grease-sodden food in paper bags or boxes, and the greasy fingers holding them, inevitably touching seats and poles!
I am mainly a walker for shopping etc. within 1-4 km in my neighbourhood, but to go farther afield in Toronto I must use public transit, as we do not have a car, bicycle or moped. All Transit vehicles — streetcars, buses and subway cars — do have Blue “Priority” Seats, and recently I heard about the promotion of a “Pregnant” Button such as you mention. Nonetheless, the blue seats are most often occupied by young and to all appearances “able” individuals or groups. All too many are rather pointedly fixated on their devices so as better to be able to ignore those standing in front of those Priority Seats! I am not bold enough or assertive enough to ask for a seat, unless on behalf of someone else!
I have usually preferred to stand, whether because I am going only a short distance and want to remain near the exit, because I prefer not to squeeze in beside another passenger, or because I do not trust the cleanliness of the seats.
As a petite and now grey- or white-haired female, though strong and healthy, I have recently begun to be encouraged, even ordered, to sit. This is most often done by young or younger women, often those from cultures which “honour” their elders. In a city with many immigrant women employed as “caregivers”, I have even experienced almost aggressive grasping of my elbow to seat me! Kind, yes, but frankly, unappreciated!
My other transit vehicle “ beef” is those who lean against or stand at the doors, stop after stop, misleading and certainly impeding those who DO want to exit! Again, there are notices ON THE DOORS warning against doing so.
And what about large bags taking up a seat? Or feet on seats? Or dogs on seats?
My family of origin did not have a car, and as urban people, we travelled on foot or on public transit. I was enjoined never to kneel on the seat to look out the window in such a manner that the soles of my shoes or, in wintry Montreal, , snowy slushy boots, might soil the clothes of others standing near.
End of rant.
Yes, I've definitely seen a lot of older people on the tube politely but firmly turning down priority seats that they very clearly do not want to sit in. With you on your pet peeves - bags on seats is a fascinating topic. I could almost write a whole post on that based on another recent experience on the tube (and possibly will, following this comment!).