Who has to stand?

[rootbeer1]

A recent post by Randy (lostncove) on chivalry and politeness reminded me that back when I took public transportation to work, and especially when I was hobbling around on crutches, I'd often watch to see who on a bus or train would give up their seat to what people, for what reasons. I came to no conclusions, but I did come up with my own personal calculus of priority seating (leaving aside people in wheelchairs, who have their own seats):

Someone in obvious medical distress (heart attack, burst appendix, water breaking/labor, blood gushing from their anus) takes precedence over everyone else. (The bus is going to stop, anyway, while an ambulance is summoned.)

People who are disabled or who cannot stand normally, or have leg injuries, such as those on crutches or walkers.

Seriously pregnant women (who appear close to their due date) come next.

Then people who have difficulty standing, such as those who have to use canes.

After that comes the frailer elderly, such as people over 80 or 85.

Then women who are obviously pregnant, if not quite at their due date.

Then a parent (mother or father) carrying a baby.

After that comes senior citizens, over 65 or so, who are healthy and can otherwise appear to stand without trouble (and thus don't fit the above categories).

After that comes people in emotional distress -- someone who is crying and obviously upset, for example.

Then comes people who might not quite be senior citizens, but are obviously a bit older than me and deserving of respect. This is especially true if they look like they are tired and can use a seat.

Then come healthy younger people who could use a seat -- someone with luggage, toddlers, or a lot of packages, for instance.

I'd give up my seat for anybody in the above categories, although there's probably a few I'm missing. I do think it's presumptuous to give up a seat to a woman just because she's a woman, and therefore it's being assumed that she is weaker. Or to someone with gray in their hair because I assume they're a senior citizen and therefore too frail to stand. There are people younger than me who are far grayer than I am.

Of course, the polite thing for an able-bodied adult to do is to decline the seat politely: "Thank you, but I can stand."

Comments

[kitchenbeard.livejournal.com]

The scene : NYC Subway.

I get on and sit down across from Handomse Guy. Doors close. I commence staring at him. We go to the next stop.

Doors open Enter Massively Pregnant Woman. Like, she's gonna drop any second. She stands in front of Handsome Guy. He looks at her and scowls and commences to read his NYT.

I stand up, tap her on the shoulder and give her my seat. She gives a sigh of releif and as she sits down says "You'd be surprised how many people wouldn't do that." I shrug and keep my back to Now Not So Handsome Guy.

Next Stop. 42nd St/Times Sq. I get off and am making my way to the exit. I feel someone swat me on the shoulder and it';s him and has he shoves past me he says "Thanks for making me look bad asshole."

I stop dead in my tracks gaping.

[rootbeer1.livejournal.com]

I'm flabbergasted!