Sitting on the tube

[fluffymark]

atreic and the_alchemist have been having a LJ discussion and poll (? now vanished ?) on the rights and wrongs of giving up your seat to someone on the tube. Go read.

Which leads me rather shamefully to this morning's journey in. *bigsigh*

Managed to get a seat on the Central Line at Leytonstone, which was good. At Stratford, a woman boarded, moved in front of the seats and started glaring at everyone. I wondered what she wanted - she looked a bit insane. A few minutes later someone else offered her their seat, which she sulkily took. It transpired that she wanted a seat because she was pregnant, but she didn't look pregnant. A very minor bulge, yes, but only obvious after she'd sat down. I felt horribly guilty about not spotting this, and failing to offer my seat, and she sat opposite me and glared at me all the way to Bank, which didn't help any and really began to freak me out. What should I have done? *confused* I mean if she was obviously pregnant I'd have happily given up my seat, but I really didn't notice she was until too late. *distressed*

Now I'm beginning to think that these Badges for Commuters aren't such a bad idea after all.

Comments

[booklectica]

I know what you mean, but the combination of being not-obviously pregnant and very shy of strangers is a difficult one. I speak from experience - I've stood on tube journeys when it was uncomfortable, because I couldn't bring myself to ask someone for a seat.

Though someone who glares at strangers probably isn't shy of them, so my experience may not be applicable here.

[ixwin.livejournal.com]

Yes, but I bet you didn't blame any of the other passengers for not realising you needed a seat, which this woman (by her behaviour) obviously did.

[booklectica]

Only a little bit in my head. And I knew it was unfair, and I wouldn't have glared at anyone.

But I did find there was a voice in my head going 'don't these people realise I need to sit down? Why aren't they letting me sit down? I should ask. But I can't. Ow. Argh. Can't talk to strangers. Ow.'

Not my most rational period. :)

[ixwin.livejournal.com]

*grins*

I'd add that it's still polite and a good thing to offer someone a seat if you think they might need it. And that I think it's equally unacceptable to be rude to someone who has offered you a seat if you don't actually need it.

[booklectica]

Absolutely. Not being rude to strangers is a good general rule anyway.

After giving birth I still looked pregnant for some time, and I wouldn't have been offended if someone had offered me a seat then.* Actually, I like sitting down to the extent that I'd take a seat anytime for whatever reason. :)

*They didn't, because I didn't go out, because all my spare time was spent sleeping. :)