Who should be given the priority seat?

[Munchcrip]

If there is only one priority seat on the bus and there is one elderly, a pregnant woman (let's say third trimester), and a mum or dad with their toddler. Who should get the priority seat?
What's the etiquette?

Some vulnerable people may not feel comfortable asking though.

@Jk987

Most importantly do not wait to be offered a seat and then get in by a huff when it doesn't happen. Simply ASK!

But if someone is visibly struggling they shouldn’t have to ask, basic manners should say you offer if you can. Obviously if your struggle isn’t visible then you may have to ask.

Would people offer a seat to a parent with a baby/toddler in a sling/carrier?

I got on a tube one time (with baby in carrier) and was offered a seat several times... I didn't need one as she had just fallen asleep and I was worried about waking her, but the offer was appreciated. It was all school children too.

Would people offer a seat to a parent with a baby/toddler in a sling/carrier?
Not unless they looked like they might need one.

Also I'm thirty six with a broken humerus near.my shoulder and pregnant. I have no balance and at the moment would need to get off the bus of there wasn't a seat for me and wait for another. I'd give up the priority seat if asked but I'd mind having to get off and wait and would see if someone else could give me a seat.

@theotherfossilsister

Also I'm thirty six with a broken humerus near.my shoulder and pregnant. I have no balance and at the moment would need to get off the bus of there wasn't a seat for me and wait for another. I'd give up the priority seat if asked but I'd mind having to get off and wait and would see if someone else could give me a seat.

You wouldn’t necessarily need a priority seat though? Surely any seat would do the job. I’d be surprised if nobody would give up theirs if you told them you needed one assuming there wasn’t a priority seat free.

@theotherfossilsister

Some vulnerable people may not feel comfortable asking though.

People aren't mind readers.

Some women don't look pregnant even in the third trimester.

I hope they would, yeah. I'm not terribly good at asking people to please move.

@Aroundtheworldin80moves I've been on buses wearing one and had to ask the someone who look able bodied for their seat.

On the tube I was always offered one even though the tube was frequently less busy and a more stable journey.

@Movingonup22

I that case other people should stand up so they all get a seat!

Exactly! There weren't priority seats some years ago. People just used to give their seat up for those who needed it.

@PurpleDaisies

Would people offer a seat to a parent with a baby/toddler in a sling/carrier? Not unless they looked like they might need one.

Yes I have and I have seen people do this.

It's very dependent on actual need. My parents are in their 70s and are fitter than most folk in their 20s. They'd never ask for a seat.

When I was pregnant, after the first two trimesters I felt a lot better, and was happy to stand (I had a really small bump).

I've travelled with a toddler on a bumpy bus ride where he was being thrown all over the place - luckily a kind man stood up so he could sit down.

It's all really subjective.

@ApolloandDaphne

In general I would say the order should be: Elderly person Pregnant person Parent with toddler.

However I guess it is hard to say without knowing what other issues each of these people might have which m might impact their ability to stand.

Generally this, but it would vary.

Elderly, assuming they're "elderly and infirm" not older and sprightly.

That said, all of them should have been offered a seat, you don't only offer your seat because you're in the priority seat.
I'm in my 50s, fit and (I thought) slim and was recently offered a seat on three separate tube trains in one day. I still haven't worked out if they thought I was old or pregnant Two were young women and one was a man maybe just a bit younger than me.

Elderly/anyone with walking aid
Pregnant lady

Parent with toddler can sit anywhere - they don’t need a priority seat. Toddler at least risk out of all the above - lower centre of gravity, less far to fall, falls less damaging than for older people. Many very small kids have great balance - they love whizzing along on their balance bikes!

I always loved standing on the bus when I was a kid, as it felt much more exciting and grown up!

People do give up seats. Very few would refuse if you ask. Get over being uncomfortable with asking for something you need!

Stop waiting and then moaning when it doesn't happen. Most people would happily give up a seat if they knew! They might think a pregnant person is fat or they might be staring at their phones. Either way just blimmin ask!

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

Would people offer a seat to a parent with a baby/toddler in a sling/carrier?

I got on a tube one time (with baby in carrier) and was offered a seat several times... I didn't need one as she had just fallen asleep and I was worried about waking her, but the offer was appreciated. It was all school children too.

I definitely think more people would offer a seat if the person was carrying/holding a baby, not if the child was standing

@FindingMeno

Then someone gets off non-priority seats for them all. I would say the elder first if clearly unsteady, then the pregnant woman if there had to be an order.

This!

Jk987

People do give up seats. Very few would refuse if you ask. Get over being uncomfortable with asking for something you need!

Stop waiting and then moaning when it doesn't happen. Most people would happily give up a seat if they knew! They might think a pregnant person is fat or they might be staring at their phones. Either way just blimmin ask!“

This. Someone mentioned half cut yobs earlier. I’ve asked two or three of such (on the face of it) to move for someone else over the years and each time they’ve immediately jumped up, looked awkward and said sorry.

Most people just don’t notice others.

@Tdcp

Elderly should have the option first but I know a lot of elderly people that would be highly offended of having a seat over a heavily pregnant woman ... The woman and toddler is bottom of the pile though I understand the need for a seat with a toddler.

This. More than once I’ve given my seat to a pregnant woman and stood on my 68 year old feet. While appreciating the kindness, it makes me feel uncomfortable when I’m offered a seat.

I'm on a tram now. Two young women are in two priority seats. There are lots of empty seats in the tram that mean walking up two steps. Fortunately there was a priority seat vacant for the older woman who was being helped on by a companion.

I am 'elderly', but I can sit anywhere and stand on short journeys. I might need consideration eventually, but I don't think it's the norm any more.

Elderly if they need it, followed by parent and then pregnant woman. I can only speak from experience. I automatically give elderly people a seat. I was fine to stand, even heavily pregnant, but it can be much more difficult and dangerous with a little one who can't hold on

@Liverbird77

Elderly if they need it, followed by parent and then pregnant woman. I can only speak from experience. I automatically give elderly people a seat. I was fine to stand, even heavily pregnant, but it can be much more difficult and dangerous with a little one who can't hold on

I don't agree with this.

The pregnant woman may be perfectly capable to stand, of course, but that's not the issue. If the pregnant woman has a bad fall it could seriously harm the fetus.

Not going that far, a pregnant woman has a special hormone in her bloodstream that relaxes the ligaments and makes her walk and move in a bit of an unstable way 🤷🏻‍♀️