It’s polite to offer your seat on public transport to those less able to stand and one commuter offered his train seat to a pregnant woman but it didn’t go as expected
There’s often a rush to get a good seat, or any seat, on a busy train, especially during peak hours. However, many follow the etiquette of giving up their seat to those who would need it more – whether that’s someone who is elderly, disabled or pregnant.
Lots of public transport vehicles also have priority seats for those who fall into these categories. However, despite these policies, there are still times when things go wrong. This was clear recently – when a commuter offered his seat to a pregnant lady on a train in London and was horrified by what happened next.
The Reddit user recalled how they’d stood up for a pregnant woman got on the London Underground, only for a man to get in the way and “steal” the seat instead.
They said: “This morning [I] was heading into London on the Jubilee line from Stanmore. After a few stops I saw a pregnant woman get on and the people in the priority seats just ignored her so I offered her mine.
“As soon as I stood up a man pushed her away and took the seat I had just vacated. It was bad enough seeing people not give up priority seats but then to see that and he just sat there obstinately as I told him it was for a pregnant woman.”
Even more shocking, the kind commuter looked up the man’s workplace as he was wearing a work top. Apparently, he discovered he is employed by a company that “makes products to help people with mobility and health issues”.
The Reddit rant has garnered more than 600 comments, including from the pregnant woman the post is referring to and her husband.
She remarked: “Firstly, to the kind man who offered your seat, thank you so much for doing the right thing and I think we were both gobsmacked by this other man’s behaviour.”
The mum-to-be then gave some more information about what happened: “To clarify the situation, I got on the tube this morning and since I am 8 months pregnant I usually ask for a seat if someone isn’t offering it, since I know people can be in their own world or on their phones.
“However, this morning, I didn’t have to as this kind man stood up and then this other 2 meter tall, well built man pushed in front of me to grab the seat.
“I said ‘excuse me, I think this seat was meant for me’ and the kind man said the same thing. He just looked us both in the eye, didn’t say anything but remained seated.
“The kind man said ‘I can’t believe you just took a pregnant woman’s seat’ but nothing from him, he shortly after pretended to sleep, probably not to face the looks of the rest of the carriage.”
The woman added that luckily, she was then offered a priority seat by another commuter but she “didn’t want to kick up more of a fuss”. She worried about what the man who took the seat could do next.
She concluded her comment: “I would have understood if he also had a disability but he had clearly been capable to stand until that point, didn’t wear a badge or say anything in his defence.
“I think he was just lazy and rude. My main thought was: I wonder what his mum would have said if she saw his behaviour…”
Her husband also commented on the post and chimed in: “So this was my wife! Thank you for noticing as not many do.
“Thanks to the other person who stood up to give her a seat. To the guy that just ignored my wife you’re an a******!”
Others shared their disgust at the man’s behaviour. One user said: “That’s absolutely ridiculous. I would have shamed him loudly in front of everyone.”
Another added: “The irony of working in health support and doing that… unreal. Hope karma catches him fast.”
A third commented: “Contact his work company and shame him. Even if they do nothing, at least you’ve done what you can. What a t*****.”