Londoners not giving up seats on tube for pregnant women

Just ask them to move. But be aware that they might have a legitimate reason to be seated. Not every disability is as obvious as pregnancy is.

I once read a reader letter in the metro, it said something like, I am so annoyed at being asked to give up my seat for pregnant women. I paid and I got on first, it's not my problem they wanted to get pregnant. I am shocked women feel entitled just because they are pregnant'. After commuting while pregnant for two children. I can confirm this is the mentality of many people. It's just an awful sad shame this is how things are. Let's not expect the country to rally together if ever there is a war becuase many people just have no compassion or care for anyone except themselves

Can you start earlier and therefore finish earlier like 7am to 3pm? You're more likely to get a seat then?

That's grim for you. I guess this also applies to passengers sitting in the priority seats, which is really bad.

Weirdly whenever I'm in London I get offered a seat nowadays, I think because as well as being in my sixties (not that old really) I always look exhausted. Maybe you look fit and blooming, even if you don't feel it, but that's no consolation.

This is awful @ParkAndRider
people seem to be caught up in thoughts/ phones/ headphones these days. Yes there will be some people who think pregnancy isn’t an illness and just get on with it (yes I’ve heard this!) but usually people will move if asked. Majority may not want to offend - there’s so much lack of social confidence around these days too.
Just ask a few people “would anyone mind giving you a seat. I always did this especially at the end - and was l never ever refused. Good luck and good luck with your new baby! Exciting! X

I was pregnant 25 years ago. Midsummer. Daily bus and Northern line into central London. One person ONCE offered me a seat on the bus. I just got in the habit of arriving and leaving work later, so things weren’t quite so busy - I appreciate not everyone can do this. Plus ca change!

On the other hand, I once offered my seat to a woman because I thought she was pregnant. I deduced I was mistaken by the absolutely filthy look she gave me (if looks could kill!). Mind you she still took the seat …

I once read a thread on here where the OP said the same as you and the overwhelming majority of responses were along the lines of 'pregnancy isn't a disability, stop being so entitled and get a grip'. It infuriated me. When I was pregnant and using the tube I was offered a seat every time I got on, usually by a man or a young woman, actually. Surely it's just common decency to give up your seat (any seat) for someone who needs it more than you, though the responses to that thread made it seem like such a hardship to be a decent person.

I once read a thread on here where the OP said the same as you and the overwhelming majority of responses were along the lines of 'pregnancy isn't a disability, stop being so entitled and get a grip'. It infuriated me. When I was pregnant and using the tube I was offered a seat every time I got on, usually by a man or a young woman, actually. Surely it's just common decency to give up your seat (any seat) for someone who needs it more than you, though the responses to that thread made it seem like such a hardship to be a decent person.

When I was much younger I used to practically pass out on my morning commute clinging to an underground train pole because I'd never get a seat

It never occurred to me ask for a seat to shy

Yeah I echo again to ask. I’ll be honest I recall that when pregnant I was pretty much always offered a seat which I didn’t need to take until right near the end.

when I am on my way home and I have a seat I’ll be honest I get my book out and I don’t look up until I hear my stop being called. Not being rude but often tired and not being observant. Should some ask me for a seat I would, of course, stand up and I have on many occasions.

I'm not sure the standards are declining. 12 years ago a woman took one look at my baby on board badge then physically pushed me aside when the bus arrived so she could get on before me to grab the last seat.

Sorry OP, people are rubbish and it's so awkward having to ask people to get up. But if you're feeling dizzy unfortunately that's what you should do, as you definitely don't want to faint.

I think you need to ask. People honestly worry that even with the bump (they might not notice the badge) they will offend.

Just ask. Get in the carriage and just say you're pregnant and need a seat. I always did and no one was ever rude in response. Rather the opposite. Several times people apologised for not noticing.

One man (mid 30s, no visible disability) once refused to give up his seat to a heavily pregnant woman when I asked. I was furious with him (and accidentally trod on his foot as I got off).

So what you're saying is that you stood on someone who could've had a valid need for the seat, because you couldn't see a disability? And you think that's OK?

Oh that's so lovely of TfL to give the T-shirt

Yet so shitty of people not to offer up their seats

Londoners can be such miserable bastards just for the sake of it

literally the first sentence of the OP
" and wear a baby on board badge."

How have so many people on this thread have missed that? It's not even as though it's in a further update from the OP, or even just several paragraphs in. It's literally in the first sentence! And then OP repeated that she does again a further update.

Even if you do somehow miss it because you can't be arsed to read anything other than the headline, if you are going to offer such a extremely obvious helpful suggestion wouldn't you at least double check that a) OP wasn't already doing it b) it hadn't already been suggested several times?

Interesting as I divided my experience by line and found the District and Circle the best - older white men fighting over who would give me a seat. The Victoria Line and Bakerloo (usually younger black men) was also good and the odd occasion it wasn't there was usually a fierce older lady who gave the younger guys a fierce dressing down and they usually got up very sheepishly and gave us both a seat. The very worst was the southern end of the Northern Line so my experience is pretty well the opposite of yours. Just goes to show you can't generalise.

Use your words and explain you're pregnant and could you have a seat

You'll need a backbone once you have DC

People won't offer a seat to someone who might be overweight and not pregnant and get an earful

Come on surely you must understand that

Yup.

OP, you need to ask. A v young and healthy looking girl asked me for a seat the other day ( not a priority seat) saying she felt dizzy. I got up instantly.

Make sure you have a badge on your back or shoulder - so like on your bag strap or rucksack - so people behind you know. This also should mean people don't push as much.
Also, just ask. Loudly. Shame people.... We need more public shaming in this country... we need to call people out for their shitty behaviour.

Many many times.

Terrible that ppl are being told to fuck off. I take the Tube almost daily and definitely worse than it used to be.

Its safer for you to use your voice and ask rather than fall. Especially later in pregnancy balance decline - I fell from top of stairs to bottom at 32 week pregnant - please ask for a seat on the tube

This word for word is my experience too, in fact I had to check this wasn’t an old thread I’d posted on being resurrected.

I wish disabilities on every able bodied selfish wanker that doesn’t give up seats to those less abled.

Also pp who said their buried in a book, if you are in a priority seat it’s your responsibility to get up if you see someone wearing a badge. Wankers.