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AIBU?

to think these were old lady bitches?

91 replies

deliakate · 20/04/2011 16:05

on the bus yesterday. So glad I don't live in London - this was only DS's second ever bus journey. He's 21 months, I'm 8 months preg.

So lugged the pushchair on, and went to the area you park them in. Bus was virtually empty, but there were two semi-rotund old ladies sitting on the flip up seats. I politely asked them "excuse me, do those seats flip up so that I can put the pushchair there?". They both said "nooo, dearie". (old means around 65/70 - not doddery 80s in this case)

So everyone else getting on had to squeeze past me, bump, pushchair and a poor guide dog sitting opposite, whose owner was getting very unsettled. Freaking annoying. I got off two stops up the hill, as did the old ladies, at which point the seats flipped up behind them. I shouldn't have, but said to one of them "those seats DO flip up", and she said "I know!". Basically, I asked her why she hadn't moved, and she said the space was for wheelchairs and elderly people as well as pushchairs. I pointed out there were other seats for elderly people too, but nowhere else for a pushchair, and she said I was getting shirty. I just walked off.

It was more amusing than anything, but seriously, can't some people remember what it was like to be pregnant/ have a toddler?

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Insomnia11 · 20/04/2011 16:09

They were probably worried about moving to another seat, the bus lurching and them falling over though to be fair.

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FlamingJamie · 20/04/2011 16:09

Ooooh - that's just plain nasty. The hide of them. Sounds like they were making "a point".

I live in London and it's fine. Old ladies are the least of your problems

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deliakate · 20/04/2011 16:10

The bus was stationary for some time - I was first on and others fiddling with change etc.

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Bucharest · 20/04/2011 16:10

They were right. They don't flip so you can put a pushchair there, they flip up so if someone (if I remember the wording correctly) "elderly or disabled or who needs this seat more than you" can sit on them. Don't they say something about "priority seats" or something?

So you were also entitled to the seat/space but as the seats were already being used by one of the "priority" categories, YABU.

I'd have said the owner of the guide dog had priority over the lot of you tbh.

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FlamingJamie · 20/04/2011 16:11

... ahh yes, maybe that's right Insomnia. Was them being rotund relevant OP?

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Northernlurker · 20/04/2011 16:11

I think they should be ashamed of themselves. That's horrible.

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olderyetwider · 20/04/2011 16:11

YABU. Sorry, I just don't like the word 'bitch' (except for female canines)

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Mrsdoasyouwouldbedoneby · 20/04/2011 16:12

At 65? My gran 75 would have moved. But she has manners. Actually, she has broken the ligament in her ankle (not falling over old lady style...), and she would still move.

I wouldn't have mentioned it tho. Just pass it off as ignorance and get on with your day.

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Bucharest · 20/04/2011 16:12

olderyetwider, but on threads like this "old" and "bitch" are synonyms. (I expect the lardy bit is too, but couldn't swear to it....)

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deliakate · 20/04/2011 16:13

They have a large picture of a pushchair beside them, and one of a wheelchair. Doesn't mention "priority". Not all councils have the same notices on buses Bucharest - are you just referring to London buses, or a certain provider?

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ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 20/04/2011 16:13

Agree with Bucharest. They should have got up for the person with the guide dog.

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FlamingJamie · 20/04/2011 16:13

True Bucharest. I didn't want to be the first one to mention it. Old bag will be next

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Bucharest · 20/04/2011 16:13

Also Op, you were lucky it wasn't a full bus or the driver might have made you fold your pushchair altogether and really given you something to gripe about.

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MrSpoc · 20/04/2011 16:14

Bucharest - sorry but you are wrong. they are priority seeting but they also have a picture for a buggie park.

The old ladies were just mean no wonder many people dont respect thier elders when they act so entitled.

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deliakate · 20/04/2011 16:14

The person with the guide dog was seated fine. The bus driver was so kind - he let me go up the hill for free, and just said he wouldn't tell anyone if I didn't.

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Bucharest · 20/04/2011 16:15

Delia- am not in London, just thinking buses in general, the ones I use in Nottingham all have a wee sign above the flippy seats saying something about priority and disabled.

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MrSpoc · 20/04/2011 16:15

Ah well you never paid for the seat so cant complain Grin

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Threelittleducks · 20/04/2011 16:15

Yanbu.
8 months pregnant and a toddler? Yes, they should have moved instead of making a point. Some folk are just mean for the sake of it. There really is no need!!

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FlamingJamie · 20/04/2011 16:17

In London, I don't recall seeing that the flip up seats are for priority seating. If this was a double-decker, there will be two rows at the front of the bus. In fact, the flip-up seats aren't all that comfortable.

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Bucharest · 20/04/2011 16:17

Didn't say the OP wasn't entitled MrSpoc, just said she was one of a group of entitled people, and unfortunately, the people in the seats were also entitled.

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MrSpoc · 20/04/2011 16:19

but Bucharest do you not think the old bags were just beeing mean and up their own arse when the bus is empty and she has a very valid reason (a trolley) to put her trolley in the space in order to keep the bus free of clutter.

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SkinittingFluffyBunnyBonnets · 20/04/2011 16:20

I won't get the bus from town anymore BECAUSE of old ladies who act like their arses own the vehicle.

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FlamingJamie · 20/04/2011 16:20

BINGO!

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MrSpoc · 20/04/2011 16:21

What who won????

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Robins · 20/04/2011 16:22

We have those buses near us and I think if there are other seats to be had and the elderly people aren't too doddery, I think they should have moved for you. I think drivers should have more authority in these cases. Yesterday on our bus, an old man actually looked at my son and said to me "can he move please". It was one of those seats that are side ways on just as you get on. I didn't mind moving my son, the man said please and I could see he was unsteady on his legs and there were plenty of seats for my son, who is 10, not little, so I was more than happy to oblige. But I do feel sorry for mums with pushchairs, they get a raw deal in my opinion, with looks and tuts etc. A couple of weeks ago our bus was crammed full with two pushchairs and toddlers at the side and bottles rolling around but we all squeezed on held our breathe and had a laugh about it. Why can't more of us be like that.

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