For anyone who regularly uses public transport, finding a seat on a crowded bus can feel like winning the lottery. The unwritten rule is clear: if you’re lucky enough to have a seat, it’s usually expected that you offer it to someone who needs it more, especially in designated priority seating areas. But one woman’s recent experience challenges this norm.
In a Reddit post, she shared how she declined to give up her seat for an elderly passenger, sparking widespread support for her stance. The woman was traveling with her heavily pregnant sister, her two-year-old daughter, and her nephew in a pushchair. They chose to sit in the fold-down priority seats at the front of the bus to accommodate the pushchair and pregnancy.
As the bus made its stops, an elderly woman boarded and insisted they vacate their seats so she could sit. The woman refused, pointing out that there were plenty of other vacant seats elsewhere on the bus. She emphasized her sister’s pregnancy and the presence of young children, asserting that their need for priority seating was just as valid.
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She described the situation, saying, “The bus wasn’t crowded; several double seats were empty, including the one behind us. But the elderly lady demanded that specific seat. My sister is very non-confrontational, so I stepped in and politely refused.”
Despite the elderly passenger’s repeated requests—and even as other seats eventually filled up—the woman stood firm, unwilling to risk her sister’s safety by making them change seats while the bus was moving. The elderly woman ultimately found a seat and got off just two stops later.
Many users praised the woman’s decision, highlighting that while offering a seat can be a kindness, it shouldn’t be an obligation—especially when others already occupying priority seats also have valid reasons to be there. Commenters noted that demanding a seat rather than politely asking was inappropriate, and emphasized that mobility should be considered alongside age.
One commenter wrote, “Getting up to offer a seat is about kindness, not a requirement—especially when the seated person is pregnant with children and using a priority spot responsibly. Being older doesn’t automatically mean you can’t sit elsewhere.”
Another said, “The fact she demanded the seat instead of asking politely completely undermined her case.”
This incident underscores how public transport etiquette isn’t always black and white and highlights the need for empathy toward all passengers’ circumstances.