Give It UpWith the continuing rise of transport ridership, seats on public transit have become a commodity. Long commutes and a sea of laptop cases, gym bags, and yoga mats mean it's no fun to stand on a crowded bus. The days of choosing where to sit have been replaced by nasty tactics to get a coveted seat, as trains and buses are often packed to capacity - a problem that is heightened during bad weather and the holidaze. With elbows flying and one thing in mind, the worst offenders of "seat frenzy" are often the elderly. But, regardless of how they secure that spot, the early-bird-specialists are entitled to it. They aren't the only ones: when riding public transport, it is appropriate to offer your seat to seniors, handicapped people, and pregnant women. If you see someone who could use a rest from the road, be a hero. Do set an example for others by asking Gramps if he'd like your seat. Don't be the Bogart who acts like he doesn't see Preggers staring him down. And, ladies, don't get too comfy - Women's Lib means you gotta shake your rump right outta that chair. Humbling to be pushed out of the way by an octagenarian? Get used to it. That seat is taken.
Muni Manner: If you are young or able-bodied, give up your seat to someone who isn't. It's the safe and courteous thing to do.
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19 comments:
My pregnant colleague just told me that she had to stand on her commute from the Sunset to Financial District until she got faint and HAD TO ASK FOR A SEAT - this is NOT acceptable! Hopefully this blog gets traction and people will learn how to be polite and civil on public transportation.
I would emphasize this rule ESPECIALLY if you are sitting in the front seats that are specifically designated for the disabled or elderly. If you are sitting in one of those seats, you should be one of the first people to get up if an older or disabled or pregnant person boards the train. Don't pretend you don't see them!
Be careful when throwing nasty looks at those you think to be rude able-bodied youngsters not giving up their seats to those more deserving.
My friend always gets the most awful glares when she sits in the handicapped section, but she has an artificial leg that make it almost impossible for her to stand and not fall on a jerky bus ride.
Don't be afraid to ask for a seat. I'm from Chicago, and after five months of pregnancy I stopped being coy about asking for a seat on the L. As soon as I got on the train, I announced in a loud but friendly voice, "Would someone please give me a seat?" At least three people would always jump to their feet. Sometimes people are absorbed in their magazine or are afraid you're just fat -- they want to be polite, and just need to be given some direction. If you're pregnant, you're disabled, and you need that chair. So speak up!
@Mary - How about just asking someone directly instead of making an announcement to the entire car? Loud people/noises aren't always viewed as friendly on the L.
I'm in my first trimester of pregnancy (and in the throes of morning sickness) -- so I have to sit on Muni for the time being, or the chances of me tossing my cookies on someone are close to 100%. And yet, I got the worst glares for sitting near the front of the bus the other morning (the only seat that was available). I'm not showing or announcing my pregnancy yet, so it seems like there's no good way to alert others to the fact that, yes, I need to sit down. Any advice?
If she is a cutie, I always offer my seat, otherwise I just lettem stand! LOL
JT
www.Ultimate-Anonymity.com
Depends on the line I'm on. On any of the buses going through Chinatown -- no. 90 percent of the passengers are fare evaders; I paid for my pass and I paid for my seat. You're a freeloader and you can stand.
If you have a seat - do not insist on sitting on the aisle. Move over to let someone else sit down; if you have to have the seat on the aisle, stand up to let them in. Nobody wants to crawl over someone to get to a seat. So lots of window seats go empty when there are many people standing.
Yes, one should only ask single people at once. Sadly too often non English speaking tourists are the ones in the front seats.
Dan - yes, some lines have more freeloaders, but you don't know if that specific person didn't pay - plus quite often they have less money and that's why they can't really pay (many back door entering folks do have passes, transfers, etc).
Here's my seat pet peeve - taking the outside (aisle) seat ie implying that you don't want anyone sitting next to you - or not moving over when someone asks. Is this just people who are anti-social? Or is it also a fear of taking longer to get off at your stop (like folks staying near the doors), which means maybe missing your stop.
Solution: more people need to be considerate and hold the doors open to make sure every one that needs to gets off at their needed stop.
I have to agree with dan, I will NOT give up my seat
on the #30. The back door hoarders and crashers are horribly rude and pushy and then pretend not to speak English,
but but there is a sign in Chinese on the back door that
states 'NO boarding the bus by back door"...hmmm??? I rarely get a seat. SO, if I should manage one I keep it!! Besides, I am 60 ;-).
Not to mention, making seats available to the elderly or handicapped are the law!!
One of my biggest MUNI pet peeves is people who sit in the aisle seat and just move their knees to the aisle and expect the window seated passenger to crawl over them when they want to get off of their stop. It's so rude and lazy. When I find myself in this situation, I make sure that my big ass bags bumps all over them as I climb my way out. I make them wish they had just gotten up in the first place.
What is wrong with people. I saw a pregnant woman have to stand through several stops before a woman asked her son to get up and give her his seat. The pregnant woman was standing right in front of him and her belly was just about in his face. The mother should have know to tell him sooner to get up. I was quite a ways away and standing myself or I would have given her my seat. People are so selfish anymore.
I would definitely agree the bullhorn shouting to get a seat is not exactly very good etiquette. I was on an outbound L (from Embarcadero) last week, sitting in one of the end seats, a woman got on with another woman (blind) and blared will someboddy please give this woamn a seat..and pointed looked at me..what she didnt notice is that i have a broken ankle and am in a boot. As no one else stood up..I got up and move dout of the way to stand so the blind lady could sit...except the blind lady preferred NOT to sit..so instead my seat..stood empty while the two argued that hte other should sitthe rest of my ride to Forest Hill. Only for the loud woman to not move out of the doorway so i could get off.
I asked people sitting in the handicapped seats once to give up their seats for some little old ladies. One of them yelled at me for being "MUNI Police." I was so stunned at her atrocious manners that I gave up trying to help the old people.
Having a baby is not a handicap, people.
Please keep in mind that disabilities aren't always obvious. My wife can't stand for long periods of time and has weak arm strength due to a prolonged illness. But, that isn't visible.
Though this is a tricky one, I really wish the elderly and disabled would sit in the front seats when they ARE available. I see many seniors taking seats in the back when all of us youngsters are keeping their front seats clear. So, granny and gramps: go ahead! Take the front seats! We're holding them just for you!
I ride the N/J every day with my toddler. We get offered a seat about 3 out of 10 trips. This doesn't happen in other cities. What's wrong with San Franciscans?
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