Seat for pregnant woman on the train

[Bobbiepin]

DH came home and told me about what happened on the train, I have my opinion on this but would like to get others'.

DH was sat in the middle of the carriage, every seat was full, with women sitting in the priority seats. A pregnant woman got on at a later stop and a standing man told DH to stand. DH said that the women in the priority seats should give up their seat, as they are in the priority seats and closest to the woman rather than her moving half way down the carriage.

This man (who wasn't travelling with pregnant woman) then proceeded to shout at my DH telling him he should be ashamed of himself & 'Don't you know what chivalry is?'

DH responded that he believed in equality and that there's nothing wrong with asking a woman (especially ones in priority seats) to give up their seat. He did give the woman his seat but was a bit put out by the whole experience.

Was he BU by expecting that anyone could give up a seat? Or should he have moved without a fuss just because he is a man?

2boysDad my husband can't stand as easily as I can. He is disabled and would find it extremely hard to stand on a train, he finds it difficult to stand anywhere for more than a minute or two. I well remember a very cross midwife telling him off as I carried my case in when I was admitted in labour. I had to tell her that I much preferred him not to carry it as I needed him to be well enough to care for our toddler at home. He is taller than me though, I don't know why that would make a difference.

I can totally see his point. I believe in equality too and don't see why he was singled out, when there were women in the 'priority seats' closer to the pregnant lady.

The real problem is with the horrible overcrowded trains. If there were more seats this wouldn't be an issue. As it is, most of us end up paying a full fare for a few square inches of floor space!

I was brought up with springs in my hips which operate at the sight of a pg woman or any other standing passenger whose need is obviously and visibly greater than mine. So was my son. And so would have been my daughter if I had had one. It's not difficult.

I believe in equality too and don't see why he was singled out, when there were women in the 'priority seats' closer to the pregnant lady.

Why would you ask people (women or men) who are sitting in the priority seats? They’re the last ones I’d ask.

I don’t get the big hoo-ha about ‘equality’ and asking a man. There are only two sexes so it’s going to be 50/50 at best.

Absolutely believe a man should stand - yes it's old fashioned but so is taking majority responsibility for family/events for women yet we still do it! Pulling out chairs/opening doors/ walking on the roadside of the pavement are also non negotiable

I can't believe people are still going on about "priority seats." On a bus it probably makes sense to vacate the priority seats first e.g. for an elderly person who might struggle to get to the back of the bus. But on a tube there's maybe 10 seats along each side of a carriage section? What difference does it make which seat the woman is offered? Did she specifically need a seat nearer to the doors? No she did not - what she needed was a seat. This man's argument is pathetic and yes, as I said yesterday, he should be a gent and not start wittering on about other women getting out of their seats before him.