Children on train seats!

[gg45]

It drives me mad when I see children over c6 yrs old not offering train seats to adults (esp older adults) standing in aisles on commuter trains (I have no problem with longer journeys when people have booked seats- but several commuter options you can't). When I was brought up we were expected to stand for elders. What is wrong with the world? AIBU??

Lots of people seem to equate being old fashioned with being better. I don't.

Surely it's far better to ask for a seat rather than feeling resentful that strangers aren't giving theirs up for you. You have no idea of the needs of other passengers.

That could happen every time I sit in the aisle of a train due to people who won't take their rucksack off. Nothing to do with a child sitting, and everything to do with people having no common sense. Same often applies in shops too. Interestingly when I was in Germany recently and got on a ferry we were all told to take our rucksacks off before we embarked.

They pay less than paying adults on a train so they should stand.

We have had SEVERAL threads on this, OP.

Why aren't you giving up your seat for frail elderly people?

Have you read the thread? This argument has been attempted several times and doesn’t ‘stand’.

a) Pensioners also pay less (eg they can get a railcard)
b) The way the train company decides to charge for their tickets doesn’t change the fact that young kids are more vulnerable than healthy adults

No!

A lot of people like children and believe they have just as much right to have a seat as healthy adults.

By that logic, so should pensioners!

The rule is silly not because ‘now we have the child king’ but because many adults pay a discounted fare and aren’t expected to give their seat to another adult just because they paid full price 🙄

exactly!

This is just a snob who clearly thinks their entitled lol

Yes!!

I think it's vile for well-able bodied person to expect a child to stand up for them 🙄

How embarrassing would it be. Everyone one on the train would think the adult was ridiculous.

one*

I've offered up my seat to kids plenty of times

Nah, you’re not better than someone else just because you’re older and teaching children that is not a good thing. It’s not good to teach children that people are entitled to more (or less) simply because of age.

Of course if the adult standing is elderly or has another reason to need a seat then the child should stand (as should any other able bodied person).

Your failure to die before reaching a certain age doesn’t entitle you to extra respect or train seats.

Ds has a disabled child railcard which means our tickets are discounted. Should he have to stand as we have got discounted tickets?

people should be taught to respect others and consider their needs irrespective of the age of the person. I am nearly 40 and will give up my seat for someone who looks like they need it, or who asks for a seat, irrespective of whether they are 3 or 103.

I don’t think children should have to stand for able bodied adults.

I think it’s a bit rough if one family group is taking up a lot of seats and others are standing- people can squidge up or put small children on their laps if others are standing.

Generally I agree with the poster who said it’s first come, first server amongst able bodied people until someone who needs it comes along.

This is a wind-up right?

Why the hell should any passenger, child or adult give up their seat for an able-bodied adult? What makes commuters so special that everyone should defer to them? (I say this as both a Mum and a commuter.)

I have taught my child that you give up seats, for the elderly, infirm, pregnant ladies or Mum's with very small kids. Other than that it's every man or woman for themselves....

Didn’t take long

Nope, I have chronic back and knee issues (my back will seize up if I stand still for too long and be extremely difficult and painful to move when I need to), and wouldn't expect a child to offer me a seat. I'll just move my back and stretch it out a bit regularly to avoid seizing up. When I was pregnant, if I had used public transport, I would have hoped someone would offer me a seat - adult or child. As a reasonably able-bodied adult, I don't feel entitled to a seat at the expense of a child just because I'm older (but not elderly).

Most adults commuting are more able.to react to people and movement safely. Children before 12 or 13 probably aren't. I guess you're longing for those golden years where children were scared by adults who were free with their slaps around children. Such a great "respect" I had. Nope. I was terrified of my elders. It was not respect.

Six is very young. I would let mine stand. You are being unreasonable!!!!

Wait, what? You expect a child, a tiny child you give all adults a seat over them? If the adult is immobile then yes but otherwise... WTAF??

Less mobile not immobile. Someone paralysed would be in a wheelchair and not in a seat.