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

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)

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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

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?

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.

annodomini I've noticed that! There's a large Anglo-Indian population in my region oh - and lots of Chinese people -probably due to the University. These people are adorable! Whatever I'm doing, trying to get my wheelchair up steps, into a shop on the tram anything, they pop forward and help. I really love them. I was a lecturer and found these groups of students really rewarding to teach. I must say that there are many people of northern European origin who are just as kind!

On giving up seats - when my DD was 8months pregnant she stood for half hour on a tube - seated were male and female young people and children.

On the London Underground I find that usually at least one person will offer up their seat.

If a seat is offered, I always accept (unless I'm getting off at the next stop, in which case I would say that) because I think it seems ungrateful and will discourage that person from offering a seat in the future.

Also, most people will help a parent to carry a push chair up the stairs. I've done it myself, even though it's quite hardgoing.

Of course, there are always selfish or thoughtless people but there are still many people who are considerate.

I find people are very willing to help me since worsening arthritis forces me to use sticks (trek poles) all the time. However, my friends tell me I don't look 80 so the sticks are an essential prop. ( literally).

I use public transport a lot in London - and find that the people who offer me seats are definitely not British. I always accept gratefully, claiming a bad back - even if I don't have one! I stand on buses holding my 'freedom pass' very conspicuously - usually does the trick! On the other hand, I always offer help to people with suitcases, or with push-chairs on the underground stations where there are no lifts..............

Many years ago a friend of mine was travelling home on the Underground following a hospital appointment in central London, she was 8 1/2 months pregnant and huge! A man sitting directly in front of her smirked at her but remained seated. She said loudly 'Its OK you don't have to get up for me, I'll sit here.' And she sat on his lap! The embarrassed man struggled to his feet and gave her his seat amid chuckles from other passengers. Perhaps more of us should do the same

I was on the bus last week ....I’m a very able-bodied OAP , so can stand for a t amount of time .... but an elderly woman ( 75 ish) got on our very full bus. She was sporting two walking sticks . I at first didn’t see anybody make a move to give up tgeir seat, but just as I was about to make the gesture a young lad (about 14) jumped up and kindly offered his seat to her! She glared at him and shouted quite loudly “about time too”... he looked very embarrassed and sheepish all the way to his stop....which was also my stop. She didn’t thank him or acknowledge his good deed.... i was ashamed of my generation! As I got of the bus behind him I told him what a good kind act he had performed for this very disagreeable woman and he should feel proud of himself. I said it as loudly as she had shouted at him. She didn’t have the decency to even look ashamed.

I always made my children get up and offer their seat if an older person was left standing (or someone with a baby). I do the same with my grandchildren and I too have offered my seat to someone else more in need than I was. Boils down to common sense and a bit of empathy really. I don't care whether the person is male or female or younger or older than me, if they need a seat then I am happy to offer mine.

In the 1960s we school girls always gave up our seats. I've had elderly gentlemen give up a seat for me but on the student bus routes I often seem to be invisible. Frequently student luggage or a passenger's bags are taking up a seat or someone - general public as well as students - sits on the gangway seat so the window seat is blocked off. I have detected a note of resentment when I (politely) ask someone to move. The foreign female students are much better at offering me a seat than other students. Schoolchildren certainly never offer a seat.

Perhaps the writer of the comment (which was objected to) meant that the people appeared not to be British Irish/Scottish/Welsh/English.

HAZBEEN

Beware! British people can be any ethnicity.

I'm almost always offered a place on the tube when I use it, especially if I have my grandchildren with me, one in a buggy. I often find that they are people not native to the UK, and I find that a bit sad, but uplifting at the same time. I always thank them very much with a big smile. My daughter was lifted of her purse today while we were out shopping with the children, so there are always nasty people around too unfortunately.

Gave up my seat in A&E today , even though I had injured my leg, to a mother struggling to stand holding a sick toddler. Room was full of people younger than me , men of all ages and also fit people accompanying others - no other bugger offered!

GabriellaG -I am aware of that my DGS is half Malaysian. I had tried not to give offence when posting by using nationalities. I suppose I could of said I find young people of Asian/Oriental appearance in my area seem to be more well mannered. As I was not the only one to comment on the fact that it is mostly "foreigners" who offer seats and help on public transport perhaps you would like to name and shame them as well.

Whenever I am in London, have made a special effort with my appearance and feel I am looking my best someone offers me a seat on bus or underground (invariably another female). It ruins my day but I try to accept graciously as I know they had the best intentions.

When my grandchildren were younger I always made them give up their seats to older or disabled people, just like I did with their mother. However both DH and I have been offered seats. When he had a serious back problem I was always offered help in carrying the wheelchair when we were on public transport. I don't say anything about feet on seats, just glare at their feet!

what makes me mad is when you get on a train with people standing and there are people sat with their bags on the next seat looking away from you or on the phone, or pretending to be asleep. and if you ask them to move them they get really ratty.