What age should you offer people a seat on a bus?

[smemorata]

I'm not talking about pregnant women or people with an obvious problem standing, but what about the elderly? I am asking because I am 46 and have been offered a seat three times this month. I don't think I look older than my age. Yes, I know I should accept with good grace but a bit of me is dying inside! Do I really look so frail??
Yanbu - only offer your seat if you are sure the person is an oap and a wobbly one at that.
Yabu - accept it and enjoy the sit down.

I'm 45 and never get offered a seat! I generally don't offer a seat to people unless they look to be in their 60s/70s or particularly frail.

I offer to anyone who I think might need it more than me regardless of their age/disability etc.

If I've had a long day and I'm knackered then I wouldn't automatically offer my seat to someone who didn't definitely look like they needed it.

If I'd be ok with standing then I'd offer to someone who I think might be grateful of the sit down!

It's not about age as such, but politeness. If I feel I'm perfectly able to stand and that someone else could benefit from my seat for any reason, then I'll offer, simple as that. If you don't want the seat or feel someone else needs it more, them deliver gracefully. It's no big deal.

Just say you’re fine to stand.

I don’t think there’s a particular age where people need to start offering seats.

I don't think I look older than my age.

Are you being offered seat by late teens/early 20's? I remember being that age and thinking anyone over about 30 looked really old.

Decline, ffs! I can spell, honestly!

BitofBirdSeed - today yes! I guess I've just entered that category of really old ie anyone over 40 for them. However, last week I was offered a seat by a woman who was at least 90.

I think I was just put out today as I sprinted to catch the bus, got it and was feeling quite youthful. Oh well.

I always get offered a seat because I am old and wrinkly, having said that I think I am much fitter than the folk who offer me a seat! and I can still do a handstand (but not on the bus)

I was offered a seat last week by a lovely teenage boy, I did have a small suitcase I suppose. I thanked him and he replied his mum said he should always offer his seat to adults ... polite young man

Mid 60s +? I'm rubbish at guessing ages though!

Maybe you looked a bit flushed/fainty from running for the bus. I've been offered a seat in hot weather (young and not pregnant) but you could see on my face I felt faint.

I wouldn’t unless they looked very old and frail.

I got offered a seat by a young woman on the London underground last year. I'm 54. She obviously thought I looked knackered. She was right, my feet were killing me. I accepted the seat gratefully.

I offer my seat automatically to anyone who looks about 60+, anyone with small children, anyone on crutches or with a plastcast on, anyone obviously pregnant, or anyone who looks like they genuinely need it more than me. If someone looked exhausted or a bit unsteady I'd be out of my seat for them in a flash.

So impressed with your handstand @longtimemarried I haven't been able to do those since I was twelve!

I'm 35 and have been offered seats. Usually by men. I don't look frail. I think it's just polite. I'd offer my seat to elderly people, mums with small children or people carrying heavy shopping bags. I don't think they're frail but I think they probably need a seat more than I do if I'm sitting alone with no shopping/buggy etc.

I offer my seat to those who look like they need it.

@smemorata Yeah I'm now in that category too. Nothing you can do except enjoy the sitdown, and be glad there there are some polite young pups out there.

It's not about age at all. You could have a 20yo who needs it more than a 90yo sometimes. If someone is struggling to stand, I'd give them my seat. But age doesn't equal more deserving of a seat on its own.

maybe you look tired.

What were you wearing? I have a smock style dress and every time I wear it, I get offered a seat. I think it's a combination of being old enough that I always look a bit knackered but feasibly young enough to be pregnant, they see the somewhat tired face and the baggy dress, and make assumptions

Depending on the age of the offerer.
A teenager might assume some in their 40's was ancient.
Did you struggle with bags, heavy breath etc.

I was offered a seat on the bus at least 3 times on my journey to work. I was in two minds whether to accept as I was in my late 40's at the time and didn't actually need a seat but as they were offered by teenage school boys I gratefully accepted and was touched that they had manners. I didn't want them to feel daft for offering in front of their friends and for their offer to be turned down and for it to put them off offering in the future.

I'm always grateful to be offered a seat. I might refuse if I'm only going 1 or 2 stops, but it's nice to be offered it.

I’m 52 and am offered seats on the tube/bus regularly, usually by men in their 20s. I’m fine to stand but most the time accept the seat gratefully. It’s been happening since my hair went noticeably grey 5 years ago. I have been amazed how kind and thoughtful people are on the whole. I do give up my seat for older people too.

I don't offer seats to people who look like they're working