Is standing up for children on public transport now the norm?

c68zapdsm5i1ru · 14-04-2016 04:28PM #1

My sister was sitting on a crowded bus recently going to work when a woman who looked in her thirties got on with a child aged about 10. My sister didn't take much notice, but a few minutes later the mother said to the child 'well obviously no one's going to give you a seat so make sure you hold on very tightly'.

I was telling a friend and she said she saw a mother ask a man if her child (who looked about 8) could have his seat, as it was dangerous for children to be trying to keep their balance on a moving bus.

I could understand if she was talking about a 2 or 3 year old. But is it really now the norm for adults to stand up for children on public transport?

Quandary · 14-04-2016 04:30PM

If she was so worried for her kids safety why didn't she stand and give the kid the seat.

c68zapdsm5i1ru · 14-04-2016 04:32PM

I think she was standing as well.

JustShon · 14-04-2016 04:36PM

I'd stand for any child that could still reasonably be called a toddler.

When I was 8 my mam was telling me to stand up for others. (elderly, disable, pregnant etc, not just for anyone)

Tombi! · 14-04-2016 04:38PM

Usually I was given the seat if I was out with my mother and there was just one seat available. I think if the child is obviously not old enough to have the upper body strength to hold themselves firm in the event of a crash or something, it'd be a good idea to give them your seat.

super_furry · 14-04-2016 04:39PM

If they're old enough that they're parents don't carry them, they're old enough to stand.

biko · 14-04-2016 04:40PM

Small kids shouldn't be on buses unless they fit into the owner's handbag.

JustShon · 14-04-2016 04:41PM

biko wrote: »

Small kids shouldn't be on buses unless they fit into the owner's handbag.

You may be confusing children with chihuahuas. It's ok, I make that mistake sometimes too.

hardCopy · 14-04-2016 04:41PM

Kenny Putrid Tux wrote: »

My sister was sitting on a crowded bus recently going to work when a woman who looked in her thirties got on with a child aged about 10. My sister didn't take much notice, but a few minutes later the mother said to the child 'well obviously no one's going to give you a seat so make sure you hold on very tightly'.

I was telling a friend and she said she saw a mother ask a man if her child (who looked about 8) could have his seat, as it was dangerous for children to be trying to keep their balance on a moving bus.

I could understand if she was talking about a 2 or 3 year old. But is it really now the norm for adults to stand up for children on public transport?

If that kid isn't already obese, she will be by the time she's 12.

JackHeuston · 14-04-2016 04:42PM

When I use public transportation I never sit down. You never know what people expect from you. It's much easier this way than to get the passive-aggressive looks from those who want your seat.

RayM · 14-04-2016 04:46PM

If a bus or train is in danger of filling up, I'll stand regardless - preferably near the door. Anything to avoid the awkwardness of trying to decide if someone is old enough or pregnant enough to give up my seat for.

Sh1tbag OToole · 14-04-2016 04:56PM

RayM wrote: »

If a bus or train is in danger of filling up, I'll stand regardless - preferably near the door. Anything to avoid the awkwardness of trying to decide if someone is old enough or pregnant enough to give up my seat for.

Easier.to just sit down and 'fall asleep' straight away

Chickarooney · 14-04-2016 04:58PM

Stand up
Baby stand up
Gimme your seat
Gimme gimme your seat
Gimme gimme
Stand up

Duggy747 · 14-04-2016 04:59PM

If a child wants my seat they'll have to fight me for it.

Neyite · 14-04-2016 05:15PM

I'll stand up for anyone who has a child. Their sense of balance or how they'd react in the event of a collision would be why I'd give up my seat. Also for anyone older than me, or pregnant.

Why not? I'm able-bodied and well able to stand for half the journey until seats free up. And hopefully when I'm old and decrepit I'll get offered a seat when I need it.

Maximus Alexander · 14-04-2016 05:21PM

JackHeuston wrote: »

When I use public transportation I never sit down. You never know what people expect from you. It's much easier this way than to get the passive-aggressive looks from those who want your seat.

I don't know, getting passive-aggressive looks from people is pretty easy. It requires no effort at all on your part. Standing requires effort.

I'd take the looks.

syklops · 14-04-2016 05:25PM

Tombi! wrote: »

I think if the child is obviously not old enough to have the upper body strength to hold themselves firm in the event of a crash or something, it'd be a good idea to give them your seat.

Infini · 14-04-2016 05:28PM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

I don't know, getting passive-aggressive looks from people is pretty easy. It requires no effort at all on your part. Standing requires effort.

I'd take the looks.

Can easily be defeated by eminating a strong aura of look at all the fecks I give!

If you have a seat its your seat however if someone is visibly having a hard time standing it doesnt hurt to let em sit down.

Maximus Alexander · 14-04-2016 05:32PM

Infini2 wrote: »

Can easily be defeated by eminating a strong aura of look at all the fecks I give!

If you have a seat its your seat however if someone is visibly having a hard time standing it doesnt hurt to let em sit down.

If people want my seat they should present a case for why they feel they are more deserving of it than I, after which I shall do this.

CaraMay · 14-04-2016 05:33PM

Interesting as my step son who is 12 and who gets the DART to school says people - non pregnant / infirm / disabled expect him to get up and give them his seat. He does instinctively but I don't think he should be expected to. Why can't a 30/40/50 year old stand for the 1/2 hour.

theteal · 14-04-2016 05:38PM

Some parents are just tits!

Tombi! · 14-04-2016 05:41PM

syklops wrote: »

What's confusing?
If I'm standing, I have the upper body strength to hold onto the bar.
A ten year old might not have that strength and chould be sent flying and injured.

fineso.mom · 14-04-2016 05:41PM

Kenny Putrid Tux wrote: »

My sister was sitting on a crowded bus recently going to work when a woman who looked in her thirties got on with a child aged about 10. My sister didn't take much notice, but a few minutes later the mother said to the child 'well obviously no one's going to give you a seat so make sure you hold on very tightly.:

Is it possible the child was moaning about having to stand and the mother meant " quit your moaning, obviously no one is going to give you a seat because you're perfectly capable of standing. ?

Cathy.C · 14-04-2016 05:45PM

There's a sign on the Luas, beside the two double seats that face each other, which is an outlined silhouette of two adults and two kids (of around ten or eleven) and it says something along the lines of 'Please vacate these seats for families'.

On your bike. Would give up my seat for adults with children of around five or below, but not fecking ten or eleven year olds.

whomitconcerns · 14-04-2016 05:47PM

On the tube daily, I'll give up my seat for elderly or pregnant, they get special baby on board badges from tfl! But anyone else can stand

CaraMay · 14-04-2016 05:49PM

But 10/11 year olds also shouldn't have to give up a seat for you

January · 14-04-2016 05:50PM

Neyite wrote: »

I'll stand up for anyone who has a child. Their sense of balance or how they'd react in the event of a collision would be why I'd give up my seat. Also for anyone older than me, or pregnant.

Why not? I'm able-bodied and well able to stand for half the journey until seats free up. And hopefully when I'm old and decrepit I'll get offered a seat when I need it.

This.

I have a daughter who is six, she has developmental coordination disorder. She has very little core strength and weak muscles. She also has poor gross and fine motor skills. She wouldn't be able to stand on a bus without being flung around the place as her grip isn't very strong to hold onto things. I'd always give up a seat for a child, there's always the danger that the bus could crash and the could be more harmed by standing than sitting.

ScumLord · 14-04-2016 05:52PM

JackHeuston wrote: »

When I use public transportation I never sit down.

Must be awkward on aeroplanes.

hullaballoo · 14-04-2016 05:57PM

Children are puny accident-prone little weaklings so I'd let a child sit down if they looked like they needed it.

I would have thought that most people think of children as boundless bundles of energy who never sit down anyway, so why would they give up their seat for the little monkeys?

failinis · 14-04-2016 06:01PM

January wrote: »

This.

I have a daughter who is six, she has developmental coordination disorder. She has very little core strength and weak muscles. She also has poor gross and fine motor skills. She wouldn't be able to stand on a bus without being flung around the place as her grip isn't very strong to hold onto things. I'd always give up a seat for a child, there's always the danger that the bus could crash and the could be more harmed by standing than sitting.

I am hardly a child but I have chronic pain conditions and extremely bad balance but I always feel a right ****ing tit asking for a seat cause I just look like a normal young person.

I can't give up my seat as I am one of those who actually needs it - but I think a clearly pregnant woman, elderly and a child who would not be grand standing in an accident should get seats offered.

14-04-2016 06:07PM

I was driving tractors when I was 8, I'd laugh if someone asked me to stand up for their child (who was well able to walk) and settle into my seat even more. Totally different if it was a mother or father carrying a small child etc.

Luckily as I very very rarely use public transport its not an issue I see myself having.

Is standing up for children on public transport now the norm?

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