Give Up Your Seat

I entered the bus and it was full with school kids, it was really packed.  I had to stand in the bus, which is fine but when an old man came into the bus and no one had the decency to move, I was really annoyed.  The bus driver turned around and said “Someone needs to give this elderly man a seat.” If she had not have said anything, no one would have moved.  The old man would have been standing, holding on to a bar for support, which is ridiculous.  A young girl, who was sitting at the very front of the bus (with a spare seat on the window side with her bag on it, may I add) decided to move her bag and move over for the man.  He sat down but even as the bus lurched forward he was still having trouble holding on, even with a seat.  So what would have happened if he stood?  He could have fallen and hurt himself or something similar and these kids were just going to sit comfortably in their chairs without a care in the world.  I looked down at the people sitting on the bus.  They had on their school uniforms, their makeup and strange hairstyles.  All I could think was that this man has been here a hell of a lot longer than any of you and all you are going to do is stand there and watch him be uncomfortable.

It really astounds me, the lack of respect that a lot of (not all) young people have today.  I don’t think they do it on purpose; I think that all they care about is themselves and would never think to help another person.  As long as they’re comfortable and getting what they want, then they’re happy.

Next time you’re on public transport and you see someone who needs a seat more than you do, please stand up and give it to them.  It’s the right thing to do and you should feel good about yourself for having the respect to do so.