Children in Seats - OAP's standing...

[Butts]

I had the misfortune to catch the 0904 Service from Haymarket to Falkirk High this morning.

I arrived at the station and was suprised the ticket office was not open in what is in effect an Edinburgh Mainline Station.

There were copious queues for the the three TVM's and a lot of bemused tourists. None of the machines took cash only cards.

I proceeded onto the platform and couldn't believe how busy it was - this is a Sunday Morning after all - think something was on in Glasgow.

The train arrived and a melee ensued to board - it was more like the rush hour at Clapham Junction than Edinburgh on a Sunday Morning.

One thing I did notice was that children (some under the age to pay) were taking up seats whilst I saw OAP's standing.

When I was a child or indeed when my children were younger, had a similar situation arisen I would have been hoisted onto the adults lap to free up seating for other passengers or done the same with my children.

What do other members feel the correct etiquette should be in these circumstances ?

 

[bAzTNM]

I proceeded onto the platform and couldn't believe how busy it was - this is a Sunday Morning after all - think something was on in Glasgow.

Great Scottish Run is happening over here.

 

[Butts]

Great Scottish Run is happening over here.

It's a shame they couldn't have run over to Glasgow

 

[Mark_re]

I agree that someone should stand up, but my grandmother (78) will berate her fellow pensioners who think they have a 'God-given right' to special treatment. If she needs a seat, she'll ask, but won't say no if offered...

 

[Butts]

I'm a young man myself and I'd always give my seat up. Were these children particularly scummy? - what age?

They were with their parents in a block of four seats - I would say 3 and 4 would be their ages.

 

[Max]

I'm a young man myself and I'd always give my seat up. Were these children particularly scummy? - what age?

I would hardly say that it's "scummy" not to offer a seat to a OAP. Often OAPs can be perfectly able bodied and, in some circumstances, fitter and healthier than the younger ones! I wouldn't be surprised if some were offended to be offered a seat.

When I was at school, the inadequate single decker buses that were put on my route for the daily commute were often packed at peak time. At the time, the local council allowed OAPs to travel for free before 9:30am, therefore I would feel a little cheesed off if I, as a full price paying customer, had to give up my seat to an OAP who was getting the equivalent journey for free. The obvious exception that I can think of is if the person is obviously infirm or struggling to stand up, or if I was so close to my destination that I might as well offer the seat. Sometimes, I had to take my cello on the bus too (something which is very tricky as you can imagine), and the glares you would get for taking up one extra seat! But the buses were poorly designed for luggage and there was little choice about where to put the it.

 

[tbtc]

I would hardly say that it's "scummy" not to offer a seat to a OAP. Often OAPs can be perfectly able bodied and, in some circumstances, fitter and healthier than the younger ones! I wouldn't be surprised if some were offended to be offered a seat

Precisely.

I'd offer up my seat for someone who clearly had mobility issues (regardless of their age) - I'd find it a bit patronising to assume someone in their 60s wasn't capable of standing though.

 

[Intermodal]

I would hardly say that it's "scummy" not to offer a seat to a OAP. Often OAPs can be perfectly able bodied and, in some circumstances, fitter and healthier than the younger ones! I wouldn't be surprised if some were offended to be offered a seat.

I got the impression we were talking 14/15 year old chavs or something like that with people with an obvious need to sit down - apparently not.

I only give my seat to people who look particularly like they would struggle to stand or if they ask. I don't give it to any elderly person because I like to sit down too!

 

[thewolf]

At the time, the local council allowed OAPs to travel for free before 9:30am, therefore I would feel a little cheesed off if I, as a full price paying customer, had to give up my seat to an OAP who was getting the equivalent journey for free.

I must say I felt slightly agrieved the other week when finishing work at 9.30 (having started at 5.30 and been awake since 3.45) when I was presented with a bus packed with, for the most part, people who hadn't paid while I was paying nearly a fiver to stand.

Felt like asking one of them to shift so I could rest my legs, having paid for the journey and being absolutely knackered.


(N.B. This post is - for the most part - tongue in cheek)

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

When I was a child and people were standing I always had to give up my seat. It was the way I was bought up. It irks me as a full fare paying passenger if I can not sit down when the seats are taken up by people who are travelling a half price or free.

 

[richw]

i've seen some elderly people take offence to be offered a seat as they feel they are as fit and capable of standing as someone half their age.
We have a friend who is over 70 (i remember attending is 70th a couple of years back), yet is fitter than many 20 year olds i know. He works a fully manual labour job 10 hours a day, and then goes for either a 1 hour swim or 1 hour run every evening without fail. He hasnt taken a sick day off work for over 10 years neither.

 

[Bon Accord]

I would hardly say that it's "scummy" not to offer a seat to a OAP. Often OAPs can be perfectly able bodied and, in some circumstances, fitter and healthier than the younger ones! I wouldn't be surprised if some were offended to be offered a seat.

Regardless, as a child such actions were instilled in me, and no doubt many other members of this forum as simple 'good manners'.
Admittedly such daft notions seem very antiquated in these enlightened times.

 

[district]

I've asked a free paying child to move before for infirm people to sit down before, and would happily do it again. (I was standing up as well).

 

[Intermodal]

I've asked a free paying child to move before for infirm people to sit down before, and would happily do it again. (I was standing up as well).

The child was both travelling free and paying?!

 

[Butts]

I got the impression we were talking 14/15 year old chavs or something like that with people with an obvious need to sit down - apparently not.

I only give my seat to people who look particularly like they would struggle to stand or if they ask. I don't give it to any elderly person because I like to sit down too!

We are talking about thoughtless parents who don't move toddlers onto their laps to offer a seat to OAP'S or anyone else.

Dare I say I was also taught to give up a seat for a lady whatever her age

 

[SouthEastern-465]

I always stand up for anyone who is not capable of standing. But there are occasions when the OAPs demand I stand up for them because its there 'right' to sit I just refuse and tell them first come first served.

If they don't have the superior attitude I do give the seat up no problems.

 

[WelshBluebird]

There are two separate points here really.
First of all the issue about non paying passengers getting seats when people who have paid do not.
Then you have the issue of younger people not giving up their seats for OAP's.

What I will say is don't judge the young. One of my friends has Leukaemia and has had chemo for it. As such, there are times when she is very weak and would not be able to cope if she was not sitting down. There have been a couple of occasions where older people have been very rude to her about not giving up her seat for them, and it really shows that just because someone looks young and fit, it doesn't mean they are.

 

[Butts]

There are two separate points here really.
First of all the issue about non paying passengers getting seats when people who have paid do not.
Then you have the issue of younger people not giving up their seats for OAP's.

What I will say is don't judge the young. One of my friends has Leukaemia and has had chemo for it. As such, there are times when she is very weak and would not be able to cope if she was not sitting down. There have been a couple of occasions where older people have been very rude to her about not giving up her seat for them, and it really shows that just because someone looks young and fit, it doesn't mean they are.

I am not blaming the toddlers but the parents who failed to transfer them to their laps thus freeing up seats for others.

It is nothing to do with money......simply manners

 

[TrainfanBen]

I

When I was a child or indeed when my children were younger, had a similar situation arisen I would have been hoisted onto the adults lap to free up seating for other passengers or done the same with my children.

What do other members feel the correct etiquette should be in these circumstances ?

I was also taught the above, if any full paying passenger is standing (Or OAP), then a non paying passenger has no right to a seat.

 

[pappleby]

it's very annoying to get on, what is quite a full train, and people have their bags on seats, and make no attempt at shifting them, but that is not what your saying!-but yes, it would be nice to 'offered' a seat if your elderley or had mobility issues, it's just politeness after all.

 

[district]

it's very annoying to get on, what is quite a full train, and people have their bags on seats, and make no attempt at shifting them, but that is not what your saying!-but yes, it would be nice to 'offered' a seat if your elderley or had mobility issues, it's just politeness after all.

I happily move bags off seats if I want to sit down.

 

[Greenback]

I don't think it matters who was standing. The under 5's should have been moved onto their parents laps full stop.

 

[4SRKT]

Do you think it would also be reasonable for people travelling on discounted tickets to give up seats for full-fare paying standees? At what point does the line be drawn? How would we know who was on what ticket anyway? The ridiculous thing is, people travelling on the cheapest advance tickets are guaranteed a seat, whereas someone maybe paying many times the amount, isn't!

I agree about toddlers on knees of parents just being common courtesy, but beyond that I can't see that this is a black and white matter. Everyone has paid for a seat, and it is de facto a first come first served system for unreserved seats. It's great that there are people who will give up seats (I do it myself), but it's a matter of choice and I don't think that we've any right to get sniffy about it.

 

[scotsman]

Please don't refer to anyone as 'scummy' - you are just implying that these children were insignificant pieces of dirt and an unpleasant sight. Other than being a rather patronising way to look at things, it also makes you look like a right snobby so and so.

Everyone is equal and if one person is more deserving of a seat than someone else, it does help if they point it out - I'm sure people are more than capable of asking for a seat if they genuinely need it.

 

[Butts]

I don't think it matters who was standing. The under 5's should have been moved onto their parents laps full stop.

It would have been done without thinking in our day - a reflex response.

I'm sure you would also have offered your seat to a lady of any age greenback.

This is nothing to do with ticket prices but manners

 

[tbtc]

Everyone has paid for a seat

No, they've paid to travel.

As for children, its easy for have a young baby on your knee, but less simple with a five-year-old (as the OP suggests). No "one size fits all" way to do things...

 

[4SRKT]

It would have been done without thinking in our day - a reflex response.

I'm sure you would also have offered your seat to a lady of any age greenback.

This is nothing to do with ticket prices but manners

Maybe, but once kids are paying half fare they are generally also larger. I would get a few funny looks putting my 13 year old daughter on my lap I would imagine!

 

[tbtc]

It would have been done without thinking in our day - a reflex response.

I'm sure you would also have offered your seat to a lady of any age greenback.

This is nothing to do with ticket prices but manners

How far back do you want to go? Separate "Waiting Rooms" for "Ladies"?

 

[4SRKT]

No, they've paid to travel.

OK, that's what I meant. Should have been obvious really since I referred to it as a first come first served system. Everyone has paid for the chance of a seat!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

How far back do you want to go? Separate "Waiting Rooms" for "Ladies"?

Ladies not having the vote would get my, well, vote.......

 

[richw]

. Everyone has paid for the chance of a seat!

everyone has paid to get to their destination, no mention of having a seat!