Expected my 6 yr old to stand on the bus…

[TheViewFromTheCheapSeats]

Aibu. Bus was full with everyone at a window seat, but most aisle seats free.

Got on, I stood with the older ones but told my just six year old to sit. It’s a little jerky bus and also has few steps to fall down. She’s the kind of kid to fall, looks young so no way they thought she was older

4 women (each around age 30-50) put bags down or shooed her away from the empty seat next to them.

‘Social distancing’. Aibu to have been annoyed and spoken to them and told one to move her bag? In the end one flounced off dramatically and said she’d walk the last stop.

Horrible bullying behaviour...I bet they wouldn't have done that to a 6ft, 18 stone man!

@RedWingBoots

Under 5 because they haven’t paid for a seat. If they need to sit they can sit on your knee. Older kids, because they only pay half. If seats are free fine, but otherwise, save them for people who have paid.

Kids stand on buses all the time, we all did it as kids, and nobody died because of it

Tell that to some of the bus drivers on my local routes in London.

Since the social distance rules have gone they will now frequently refuse to move the bus if one person is standing downstairs and they can see a seat.

I've spent 15 minutes on a bus with a bus driver doing this until passenger pressure made a man seat down next to someone. This is because several of the routes go around tight corners plus they have to frequently stop/get out of the way for emergency vehicles.

I was on a bus when this happened, the driver wouldn’t move until the person sat down even when they said they was getting off at the next stop 🤦🏻

This is a massive bug bear of mine. I have an unseen disability which means I have to get the bus with two under 5’s, daily.

We get stamped on, pushed over by school kids, my daughter sits in the luggage rack which fully grown adults give their bags seats. People are disgraceful.

While*

Was it they didn't want your child, or was it they didn't want anyone? Our local bus company still has seats blocked off and you aren't meant to sit next to a stranger

When I didn't drive and was pregnant with dc years ago I used to stand and let the old dears sit so they had a seat as they need it more than me

Also social distancing is ABSOLUTELY not happening on any buses in London. Filled to the rafters, I spend the entire time in people’s armpits. Usually school children (Enfield county, looking at your delightful charges) who are usually booting me and the elderly, and eating chicken at the same time.

On the other hand we got on a absolutely rammed train the other day, all seats and standing room taken, and a lady offered my 6 year old a seat, so there are kind people out there.

(she wasn't wearing a mask though, so probably given us all the plague...)

Exceptionally rude of them. Disgusting way to treat a child. Hope she's ok.

@ArrrMeHearties nice story about old dears, if I get on a bus with them I also let older people in mind.

Slightly off topic though on a post about women of the age I stated- I reckon I was the oldest woman at the back of the bus in fact.

I think it's an etiquette situation rather than a rules of the ticket situation. We often had a "free travel" for DC type tickets on the train. I presume they should have been strapped to the roof or clinging to the side of the train

Well I can only comment on what the situation is where I live, however no one will emforce it anyway.
As for trains I believe that a ticket does not entitle anyone to a seat unless they have reserved o e, and even then its hit and miss whether they will have actually reserved it anyway.

4 People actually shooed her away? I don't think I've ever seen anyone shoo a small child away on a bus.

Unless she has a drippy snotty nose or was eating something thats pretty shocking!

I dont see an issue with 6 year olds standing on the bus and most children have far better balance than I have.

@Effram

My 3 year old stands on the bus and just holds on to a low down rail and it's fine. Often people then ask if he'd like to sit down on the aisle seat and if so then we take them up (unless he decides he'd prefer to stand!). I can understand people not wanting to share their seats. We stand up to give up a seat for anyone who appears to need it, he has good young legs to stand on!

What kind of bus are you in that has low bars? My 6 yo could wrap himself around the vertical bar or hold on to the back of a seat but there's nothing else to hold on to.

OP yanbu, there's no SD on buses so "their seat" is the bit their butt covers. You can guarantee if they got on and all the empty seats were taken by teens bags they'd expect them to be moved.

We try not to sit besides anyone, but why should my kid fall over and get him face smashed up because someone thinks they should be alone on the bus

@thistimelastweek

When I was a kid, many moons ago, children were expected to give up their seats for all and any adult regardless of age on either side. It was ridiculous. Tiny children without the strength to maintain their balance being buffeted about whilst strong healthy adults sat on their arses.

OP, you are not being ridiculous.

So true.

I am in my fifties and cant reach overhead bars, if I can reach something to hold onto, most 6 years old can.

Of course your child should sit down it’s dangerous for them to stand. Personally I’d have probably moved to sit next to a masked adult and left you with the seat.

You do know that children are the biggest spreaders right now OP? I wouldn't have wanted anyone to sit right next to me.

@julieca

I am in my fifties and cant reach overhead bars, if I can reach something to hold onto, most 6 years old can.

But GENERALLY speaking a 6 yo will have strength, stretch and common sense than an adult. So if the bus goes round a corner an adult is more likely to be able to reach between bars than a 6 yo, to anticipate the jostled and deal with them. Of course some people of any age will have difficulties but generally you'll be safer than a young child

@Skinnytailedsquirrel

You do know that children are the biggest spreaders right now OP? I wouldn't have wanted anyone to sit right next to me.

Is ops kid is showing covid, then sitting next to or standing near isn't going to make a huge difference. At least standing she's below mouth height. Standing up it's direct line.

Did they really shoo her away or was it more of a dirty look situation? I ask because I used to get the bus every day, for years (pre-COVID) and I saw a lot of 'free range' kids on buses, going around wiping their noses and touching things and people. Never once saw a single person shoo one, and that's perhaps a situation where you'd do it without thinking as a kneejerk reaction.

Either way, they don't sound very nice and nobody is entitled to two seats on the bus.

@Skinnytailedsquirrel

You do know that children are the biggest spreaders right now OP? I wouldn't have wanted anyone to sit right next to me.

Don't get on public transport then.

Bit silly of them really

[quote TheViewFromTheCheapSeats]@ArrrMeHearties nice story about old dears, if I get on a bus with them I also let older people in mind.

Slightly off topic though on a post about women of the age I stated- I reckon I was the oldest woman at the back of the bus in fact.[/quote]
You’re being quite touchy to anyone who shares an experience…

@TheViewFromTheCheapSeats
were the people who shooed her away and put bags on seats wearing masks?

honestly i would have sat down myself and the child on my knee and told the oldest to sit too...

i have a 6yo myself and wouldn't have her standing if there were seats