Why don't people give up their seats to the needy?

Not been taught manners by both parents or one parent who are too busy working to spend time with their children but who will buy them anything for a quiet life.

Good point spanielNanny. Currently I am awaiting a major op and struggle to stand or walk for long although outwardly I appear fairly fit and am not elderly, I have had daggers looks from elderly passengers on buses when sitting in the priority seating but if I don’t sit I am liable to faint. If someone gets on who looks frail I try to give them my seat if it’s not going to mean me standing for too long but I have seen spry older people get on with no trouble and glare at anyone sitting on the priority seating?

Because so many people have a sense of entitlement in place of manners.

When I was 8 months pregnant in 1981 we had been to a wedding and had to return home on an inter-city train from London Euston. The train was full and no seats were available. The guard came along and when he saw me standing there he berated the seated passengers until someone gave me their seat.
I always gave up my seat when travelling to school by bus in the 70s. One day I did so for an elderly lady and as there were no other seats available the driver threw me off the bus as there was no standing allowed. I had paid for my ticket as I didn't qualify for a bus pass. I still give up my seat to someone who needs it more than me.

Our school was on a busy bus route and the buses were often packed. The headmistress would get on the bus at the terminus and tuck herself away at the back, waiting to see how her girls behaved. We, of course, had had it drilled into us to offer our seats to older standing passengers . They rarely thanked us but it was amusing to see their blushes when we heard a foghorn like 'thank you' ringing through the bus

I sympathise with tge man in the report but actually I am surprised at how often I am offered a seat. Perhaps I'm just particularly decrepit. However, it is mostly foreigners and members of racial minorities who stand up. I've also noticed less willingness at the end of the day when people are probably tired. What really makes me cross is when people race me to a free seat - but that is rare.

I've been lucky I have to say - unless it's been rush hour [which I try to avoid] and I can't get anywhere near a seat. Mind you in those circumstances I'm propped up by people around me! I have a stick and am always grateful when I'm offered a seat. I also have an 'invisible' disability - but unless I shout it from the rooftops I wouldn't expect a seat to be offered for that particular reason. Being an older person I appreciate a seat these days. It's awful the way that that the blind man was treated. Manners maketh Man is what I was taught in primary school - sadly manners in general do seem to be lacking these days; it's everyone for themself in so many places it seems - so the one who has got manners really stands out!

This man has previously and to my certain knowledge, posted 3 times on social media in the last 6 months about not being offered a seat a fact which the DM picked it up.
I'd give up my seat as I guess most of us here would, if we could.
One comment on MailOnline said that being blind didn't mean that he couldn't stand up.
Most people felt more sorry for the dog than his owner.

My 17 year old DS will always give his seat up if needed. I have a hidden disability, but if I think I can cope with standing then I will also give up my seat. I hope my 3 DGK's are brought up with the same manners (all GK's are from SD and SS)

I always ask anyone of around my age or above if they'd like my seat. Its just good manners.

It’s completely irrelevant what ATOS think (do remind me of the accuracy of their track record in judging disabled people as fit for work).Blindness IS a disability under all the relevant legislation. As for needing to hear from other 37 year old able bodied blind people - oh come on. This particular blind man felt he needed a seat for safety and security - if others don’t that’s fine - different people will handle the apparently same disability differently and we should respect that. It’s similar to how pregnant women feel - some welcome a seat, some are happy to stand. It should be THEIR choice when offered not the choice of able bodied mind readers. And there are no seats marked for blind people as I’m sure you know Grampie what a charming post. I’d also like to point out the dangerous slippy floors of crowded commuter trains on rainy mornings - not only is there all the wet brought in in people’s shoes, coats and umbrellas,there are also commonly slicks of coffee and wet newspapers littering the floor. At least I’m able to see these hazards but how it must be if you cannot must be awful.

Some years ago on a crowded carriage, I picked up my heavy bags and offered my seat to a pregnant woman. She mumbled her thanks, sat down, unbuttoned her coat to reveal a hip bag on her tummy - not pregnant! Meanwhile, I struggled to stay upright next to her.

Whenever I traveled with my mother, I would approach the passenger sitting in the priority seat to ask if they would be kind enough to let her have their seat. We have never been let down or disappointed.

The situation I dislike is when a passenger stands there grumbling, murmuring annoyingly about the lack of seats. For goodness' sake - just ask nicely. If you get turned down, then speak up and moan loudly and clearly!

In the states we have the same problem and it really bothers me especially at a restaurant while waiting. But my mother used to tell us to let someone who is older, not even necessarily needy , sit down. I did the same putting my children on my lap.

Most young people have not been taught to offer their seats to the elderly or infirm. Others have been brought up to believe that having paid for their bus or train ticket they are just as entitled to sit down as any other traveller.

I'm not saying either attitude is right, but this is the way a lot of people think.

Here in Denmark the situation is much like the one you are describing in the UK - youngsters from immigrant backgrounds are far more likely to have been taught to rise for their elders, whom they are brought up to respect.

There is a great difference here between countries, as French children are still seemingly being brought up to offer their seats to others. Public transport in France, Germany and now again here in Denmark has reserved seats for the elderly, invalids and adults with small children in their arms.

According to ATOS a recent statement put out by those assessing people for pip blindness is not a disability, although the train manger should have been called, if the man felt that he needed special seating.
We must never assume that "one size fits all" Did any one see the travel show on BBC news this morning the reporter was blind and more or less stone deaf and travelled alone, this time he was in the Holy lands and fiercely indipendant
Recently I saw a notice in the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital proclaiming " NOT ALL DISABILITIES ARE OBVIOUS" and so its not wise to generalise or there is a danger of patronising those who strive to be independent, I have been helped by the train managers and we must acknowledge the role of they play and resist all attempts by disingenuous train companies to move towards making trains one man operated

I’d like to hear from other 37-year old able-bodied blind people.

He’s reported to be a Dad but did have an armful of young children with him.

And his guide dog is fine sitting on the floor ready to help at its master’s feet.

Frankly, I’d have stayed sitting too unless I was occupying a seat reserved for a blind person.

I rarely travel by bus but the route I sometimes use (single decker TFL) is really awful mainly because of the appalling braking that most drivers seem to enjoy demonstrating. DH always gives up his seat to a person with a small child who are standing as it is usually very difficult for the parents to hang onto the child, the shopping and themselves safely.

Some years ago I got on to a full underground train in St Petersberg . Within a heartbeat a mother told her daughter, about seven years old, to get up and give me her seat. Obviously a normal thing to do in Russia!

I was thinking just the same maryeliza . I can’t begin to imagine being blind and standing on a crowded bus or train . Must be very frightening indeed .

Theoddbird yes you are missing something. Reading the article would be a good start to understand the issues of a crowded train, a slippy floor and having to hang onto something. Your post seems to show you are missing compassion as well. HTH

So it seems the consensus is that it is about manners. Why then, do some of us live in well-mannered areas and some in very bad-mannered areas? Is there really that much difference in upbringing in different parts of the country? So sad.

I was on the tube a couple of years ago and an older lady with a walking stick got on. I looked around at all the young people, heads down engrossed in their screens or music, and as it became obvious none of them were going to give up their seats for this lady I stood up and offered her mine. She replied in a very loud voice “ that’s very kind of you but I’m going to wait for this young man ( aimed at the guy in the reserved seat) to give me his seat. He was suitably chastised and gave her his seat and I quietly chuckled to myself all the way to my destination. Good for her.

I always give up my seat to someone older than me or in poor health (and I'm 64!). My sons were always brought up to give up there seats, now 40, 37, 34 and 33, and my grandchildren have been brought up to do the same. I think its all about manners, and how your brought up. Unfortunately nowadays we are a diverse culture, and have different ideas on things? I think men in particular are not sure what to do nowadays, as a slightly different senario..but women are offended sometimes if a man open a door, or offers a seat...personally I cant get my head around it, but sign of the times?

I am 67....I would not expect someone to give up their seat for me. I have seen young people give up their seats for the elderly who cannot stand. If an older person is fit and able to stand they should not expect someone to give them a seat just because of their age.

I live near Bristol and found that people will give up their seats. When we were in Prague my 18 year old son didn't leap out of his seat when an elderly lady got on the tram. He got verbal abuse from the other passengers until he realised what she wanted. He complained that he was already sat down so didn't see why he should give up his seat ( I was telling him to stand as well but as usual Mum's ignored)

Thankfully the penny dropped and after that first time he was aware of the expected protocol. Elderly and pregnant women first then elderly men and mother/father with lap sitting toddler. Then adults, then teenagers and children