FabSwingers.com forum: Why Elderly SHOULD give their seats to young people on buses

By (user no longer on site) OP
37 weeks ago

I am often bemused by the arguments put forward by people about this age old quandry.

Should young people give priority to elderly people for seating on buses / trains / public transport.

As a child I was always taught to allow elderly people to sit, even if it meant that I should stand.

But in today's modern world, I often notice there are reasons why younger people might need to sit more than elderly. Being elderly doesn't automatically mean an elderly person is incapable of standing.

For example, young people can be pregnant or walking with the assistance of mobility frames. They too have a right to sit down on the bus.

But there is one over riding reason above all others as to why all elderly should be made to stand and all young should be given priority seating on public transport.

Elderly people will live for less time that young people.

Therefore, the bones of young people have to last longer than the bones of elderly people.

Therefore it is more important for young people to rest their bones.

ps. yes, this is said in mild humour, but....

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By (user no longer on site)
37 weeks ago

Well that’s an interesting take on it.

Not sure I agree, but hey ho!

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By (user no longer on site)
37 weeks ago

🙆🏾‍♂️

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By *mileyculturebelfastMan
37 weeks ago

belfast

Drugs are bad

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By *ovelyDayXXXWoman
37 weeks ago

Niche

A seat should be made available for whoever has greatest need of it.

Not all reasons are visible and age is not the only factor.

It's on us all to use sound judgement and take a stand (see what I did there) when we ought to.

A little selfless sacrifice can go a long way to making another person's day a little bit easier and brighter.

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By (user no longer on site)
37 weeks ago

Mr P, there's got to be some advantage for being this venerable age (other than my free TfL travel, my lack of mortgage, the free school meals I got as a kid, the free milk at primary school, the lack of tuition fees, ability to claim the dole when I was on hols at uni, and housing benefit), excepting all those, which are now in the past and I no longer benefit from them - other than the free TfL travel, I would expect any youngster to get up and give me their seat, otherwise I will thwack them over the head with my zimmer frame.

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By *ude LawMan
37 weeks ago

Harrogate

"A seat should be made available for whoever has greatest need of it.

Not all reasons are visible and age is not the only factor.

It's on us all to use sound judgement and take a stand (see what I did there) when we ought to.

A little selfless sacrifice can go a long way to making another person's day a little bit easier and brighter."

Sorry. Far too sensible.

No one should have seats anymore. You can't be trusted.

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By (user no longer on site)
37 weeks ago

"Mr P, there's got to be some advantage for being this venerable age (other than my free TfL travel, my lack of mortgage, the free school meals I got as a kid, the free milk at primary school, the lack of tuition fees, ability to claim the dole when I was on hols at uni, and housing benefit), excepting all those, which are now in the past and I no longer benefit from them - other than the free TfL travel, I would expect any youngster to get up and give me their seat, otherwise I will thwack them over the head with my zimmer frame.

You can try, old man

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By (user no longer on site)
37 weeks ago

"A seat should be made available for whoever has greatest need of it.

Not all reasons are visible and age is not the only factor.

It's on us all to use sound judgement and take a stand (see what I did there) when we ought to.

A little selfless sacrifice can go a long way to making another person's day a little bit easier and brighter.

Sorry. Far too sensible.

No one should have seats anymore. You can't be trusted."

Would you offer your face as a seat?

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By *issmorganWoman
37 weeks ago

Calderdale innit

A lovely older lady once gave up her seat for my other half on the train, he has mobility issues and was using his stick that day.

I get what you mean, it should be that whoever needs it most, gets a seat.

I've offered older people my seat and had some loo really offended that I did.

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By *ude LawMan
37 weeks ago

Harrogate

"A seat should be made available for whoever has greatest need of it.

Not all reasons are visible and age is not the only factor.

It's on us all to use sound judgement and take a stand (see what I did there) when we ought to.

A little selfless sacrifice can go a long way to making another person's day a little bit easier and brighter.

Sorry. Far too sensible.

No one should have seats anymore. You can't be trusted.

Would you offer your face as a seat?"

I tried this once on public transport.

The bus driver said: "when are you going to get off?"

I said: "I'm not falling for that shit punchline".

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By *emorefridaCouple
37 weeks ago

La la land

Depends on need. In my 20's I was waiting for a knee operation, standing on buses was a killer due to the stop/starts. Was a ridiculous amount of pain killers just to go get through the day. Yes I got filthy looks by older people around the age late 50/early 60. Really made using public transport awkward as.

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By *ovelyDayXXXWoman
37 weeks ago

Niche

They should have tubes for passengers to step in to and you could just slouch in them and even rest your head!!! then you get ejected when you reach your stop 🤣

Be like Mary Poppins out of a chimney stack 🌂☂️

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By *luebell888Woman
37 weeks ago

Glasgowish

Old or young you should always be mindful of someone else's needs.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
37 weeks ago

"A seat should be made available for whoever has greatest need of it.

Not all reasons are visible and age is not the only factor.

It's on us all to use sound judgement and take a stand (see what I did there) when we ought to.

A little selfless sacrifice can go a long way to making another person's day a little bit easier and brighter."

Thankyou for the most sensible answer so far!

I agree.

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By (user no longer on site)
37 weeks ago

"A seat should be made available for whoever has greatest need of it.

Not all reasons are visible and age is not the only factor.

It's on us all to use sound judgement and take a stand (see what I did there) when we ought to.

A little selfless sacrifice can go a long way to making another person's day a little bit easier and brighter.

Sorry. Far too sensible.

No one should have seats anymore. You can't be trusted.

Would you offer your face as a seat?

I tried this once on public transport.

The bus driver said: "when are you going to get off?"

I said: "I'm not falling for that shit punchline"."

Did he have to get you off?

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By (user no longer on site)
37 weeks ago

You can try, old man"

You're not too old, young man, for me to turn you over my knee and give you a right good spanking. Just let me get my oxygen tank first.

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By *aron Van WinkleMan
37 weeks ago

In fair Verona.

Elderly need the exercise, they shouldn’t even be on the bus. Walk, and get those 12 thousand steps in.

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By *ude LawMan
37 weeks ago

Harrogate

"A seat should be made available for whoever has greatest need of it.

Not all reasons are visible and age is not the only factor.

It's on us all to use sound judgement and take a stand (see what I did there) when we ought to.

A little selfless sacrifice can go a long way to making another person's day a little bit easier and brighter.

Sorry. Far too sensible.

No one should have seats anymore. You can't be trusted.

Would you offer your face as a seat?

I tried this once on public transport.

The bus driver said: "when are you going to get off?"

I said: "I'm not falling for that shit punchline".

Did he have to get you off?"

Twice.

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By *odgerMooreMan
37 weeks ago

Rummage Up The Jumper

Slight tangent.. pregnant women… bunch of whingeing freeloaders… you got yourselves pregnant… deal with it and stop demanding all the time!! Just so you can get time off work… and a seat on the bus ….lazy….entitled whingers!! Who (that never wants sex ever again!!) agrees with me??

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By (user no longer on site) OP
37 weeks ago

"They should have tubes for passengers to step in to and you could just slouch in them and even rest your head!!! then you get ejected when you reach your stop 🤣

Be like Mary Poppins out of a chimney stack 🌂☂️"

Woah, hold that right there. You've just triggered the "conspiracy theory" sector of my brain.

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
37 weeks ago

Crumpet Castle

I do! I don't get myself pregnant for that very reason !

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By (user no longer on site) OP
37 weeks ago

"Slight tangent.. pregnant women… bunch of whingeing freeloaders… you got yourselves pregnant… deal with it and stop demanding all the time!! Just so you can get time off work… and a seat on the bus ….lazy….entitled whingers!! Who (that never wants sex ever again!!) agrees with me??

I see where you are coming from, but there is one, obvious, massive, flaw in your argument / theory. If it wasn't for your mom, you would never exist. So is your mom a lazy, entitled, whinging, pregnant who should have kept her legs closed?

Asking for a friend.

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By *ude LawMan
37 weeks ago

Harrogate

"I do! I don't get myself pregnant for that very reason !"

^Duff info.

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By *ovelyDayXXXWoman
37 weeks ago

Niche

Asking for a friend."

At ease soldier, post status confirmed: just for shits & giggles

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By (user no longer on site) OP
37 weeks ago

Asking for a friend.

At ease soldier, post status confirmed: just for shits & giggles"

Okay, ya got me. Is that too much to ask for a Friday afternoon? The last week day before they go back to school?

Never forget one thing......

Monday is the 1st of September.

And supermarkets around the British Isles are promising to help their customers spread the cost of Christmas.

So don't come moaning to me if Tesco and Home Bargain have an entire aisle dedicated to Crimbo Shit in 3 days time.

Just sayin, for shit n giggles!

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
37 weeks ago

East Sussex

Where are these women who can get themselves pregnant? It would save a lot of trouble

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By *he MinionMan
37 weeks ago

Surrey

Asking for a friend.

At ease soldier, post status confirmed: just for shits & giggles

Okay, ya got me. Is that too much to ask for a Friday afternoon? The last week day before they go back to school?

Never forget one thing......

Monday is the 1st of September.

And supermarkets around the British Isles are promising to help their customers spread the cost of Christmas.

So don't come moaning to me if Tesco and Home Bargain have an entire aisle dedicated to Crimbo Shit in 3 days time.

Just sayin, for shit n giggles!

I think Home Bargains already has their Christmas stuff out

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By *he MinionMan
37 weeks ago

Surrey

I wouldnt worry to much about your original queation OP.

I too was raised with this instilled to me that you gave up your seat for those in need of it more.

Unfortunately, this type of behaviour is no longer taught by parents to their children, so it wont matter and nobody will offer up their seat to anybody

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
Forum Mod
37 weeks ago

Central

I'm good to give up my seat to a big bulged fit younger men. It will be a pleasure to sit on his lap

. Especially if the state of the roads give us a bumpy ride

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
37 weeks ago

East Sussex

I recently gave up my seat to a child so they could sit with their patent.

It seemed fair to me

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By *EAT..85Woman
37 weeks ago

Nottingham

"I wouldnt worry to much about your original queation OP.

I too was raised with this instilled to me that you gave up your seat for those in need of it more.

Unfortunately, this type of behaviour is no longer taught by parents to their children, so it wont matter and nobody will offer up their seat to anybody

This is sad but true. When we're old, I can't imagine many youngsters offering up their seats.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
37 weeks ago

East Sussex

Every bus and train that I've been on recently has designated seats for people who need them for reasons of age or infirmity. I've travelled on public transport regularly since I was a kid and people young and old rarely give their seats up.

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By *acey_RedWoman
37 weeks ago

Liverpool

"A seat should be made available for whoever has greatest need of it.

Not all reasons are visible and age is not the only factor.

It's on us all to use sound judgement and take a stand (see what I did there) when we ought to.

A little selfless sacrifice can go a long way to making another person's day a little bit easier and brighter."

I agree on this and have been on both sides of it. I've given my seat up to someone on crutches before who would have been unable to stand safely. On the flip side, I have joint issues and endometriosis. There's been times in my life that I've sat in priority seats on public transport when my pain has been particularly high but there's always been an uncomfortable feeling around that as on the outside I know I appeared to be a healthy person in my 20s/30s. I've never been challenged or had to ask someone for a seat fortunately. I don’t often use public transport these days now that I drive but I think if I did I would consider one of the sunflower lanyards to try to ease some of that anxiety.

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By *odgerMooreMan
37 weeks ago

Rummage Up The Jumper

Asking for a friend."

Anyone that’s ever met me would undoubtedly and without a second thought say.. absolutely… definitely yes!!

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By *odgerMooreMan
37 weeks ago

Rummage Up The Jumper

Where are these women who can get themselves pregnant? It would save a lot of trouble "

Well the way my dad explained it to me….. with the ring of toadstools and the magic fairy….

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
37 weeks ago

East Sussex

Where are these women who can get themselves pregnant? It would save a lot of trouble

Well the way my dad explained it to me….. with the ring of toadstools and the magic fairy….

Oh so that's what we're calling it now. The magic fairy

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By *olo180Man
37 weeks ago

Greater London

I presume this is said with ‘mild humour’ just like OP 🙄

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By *odgerMooreMan
37 weeks ago

Rummage Up The Jumper

Where are these women who can get themselves pregnant? It would save a lot of trouble

Well the way my dad explained it to me….. with the ring of toadstools and the magic fairy….

Oh so that's what we're calling it now. The magic fairy

The magic trouser fairy to give its proper title… rub it like a magic lamp and watch the ‘genie’ pop out… ahh the days if my innocent youth (i was 25!!)

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By *elaninMaverickWoman
37 weeks ago

near Putney Heath

"Drugs are bad "

Are you saying that Op is high? Lol!

grabs popcorn

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By *odgerMooreMan
37 weeks ago

Rummage Up The Jumper

I presume this is said with ‘mild humour’ just like OP 🙄"

More… massively tongue in cheek.. so that no one could possibly take the post seriously…

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By *elaninMaverickWoman
37 weeks ago

near Putney Heath

"A seat should be made available for whoever has greatest need of it.

Not all reasons are visible and age is not the only factor.

It's on us all to use sound judgement and take a stand (see what I did there) when we ought to.

A little selfless sacrifice can go a long way to making another person's day a little bit easier and brighter."

I'm in my Karen era. I will sit on the floor if I need to...Yes I have a hidden disability badge but that's for my neurodivergent brain, not my dodgy hip.

the ground and floor are not beneath me, especially if I'm having a dizzy episode/mental breakdown.

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By *ovelyDayXXXWoman
37 weeks ago

Niche

"A seat should be made available for whoever has greatest need of it.

Not all reasons are visible and age is not the only factor.

It's on us all to use sound judgement and take a stand (see what I did there) when we ought to.

A little selfless sacrifice can go a long way to making another person's day a little bit easier and brighter.

I'm in my Karen era. I will sit on the floor if I need to...Yes I have a hidden disability badge but that's for my neurodivergent brain, not my dodgy hip.

the ground and floor are not beneath me, especially if I'm having a dizzy episode/mental breakdown.

I've read that laid on the floor is the best place to stop anxiety or a spiral.

And tbh I'd believe it when I think of it. It's funny how your whole body feels really weighted & heavy as soon as you lay on the ground.

Right?

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
37 weeks ago

East Sussex

Where are these women who can get themselves pregnant? It would save a lot of trouble

Well the way my dad explained it to me….. with the ring of toadstools and the magic fairy….

Oh so that's what we're calling it now. The magic fairy

The magic trouser fairy to give its proper title… rub it like a magic lamp and watch the ‘genie’ pop out… ahh the days if my innocent youth (i was 25!!)

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By *atnip make me purrWoman
37 weeks ago

Reading

Those least able to stand shoukd get priority. That's more likely to be an older person. Just statistics.

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By (user no longer on site)
37 weeks ago

"Drugs are bad "

Mmmmkay

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By (user no longer on site)
37 weeks ago

This is like the Only Fools and Horses sketch where Delboy tells Grandad to get the door because Grandad's legs have had more experience of answering the door than Delboy's.

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By *og and MuseCouple
37 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham

I hardly go on a bus in the uk and if I do I would rather stand away from people they all look and sound ill. But if I was on a healthy bus, then of course I would give my seat to anyone who looked like they needed it regardless of age or anything - Tog

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By *orbidden eastMan
37 weeks ago

london dodging electric scooters

Very good OP very good 👏👏👏

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By *elaninMaverickWoman
37 weeks ago

near Putney Heath

"A seat should be made available for whoever has greatest need of it.

Not all reasons are visible and age is not the only factor.

It's on us all to use sound judgement and take a stand (see what I did there) when we ought to.

A little selfless sacrifice can go a long way to making another person's day a little bit easier and brighter.

I'm in my Karen era. I will sit on the floor if I need to...Yes I have a hidden disability badge but that's for my neurodivergent brain, not my dodgy hip.

the ground and floor are not beneath me, especially if I'm having a dizzy episode/mental breakdown.

I've read that laid on the floor is the best place to stop anxiety or a spiral.

And tbh I'd believe it when I think of it. It's funny how your whole body feels really weighted & heavy as soon as you lay on the ground.

Right?"

Maybe but it's usually so I don't bang my head...so I lie or sit down before I fall down. lol!

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By *ovelyDayXXXWoman
37 weeks ago

Niche

"A seat should be made available for whoever has greatest need of it.

Not all reasons are visible and age is not the only factor.

It's on us all to use sound judgement and take a stand (see what I did there) when we ought to.

A little selfless sacrifice can go a long way to making another person's day a little bit easier and brighter.

I'm in my Karen era. I will sit on the floor if I need to...Yes I have a hidden disability badge but that's for my neurodivergent brain, not my dodgy hip.

the ground and floor are not beneath me, especially if I'm having a dizzy episode/mental breakdown.

I've read that laid on the floor is the best place to stop anxiety or a spiral.

And tbh I'd believe it when I think of it. It's funny how your whole body feels really weighted & heavy as soon as you lay on the ground.

Right?

Maybe but it's usually so I don't bang my head...so I lie or sit down before I fall down. lol!"

Win win then 😎

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By (user no longer on site) OP
37 weeks ago

[Removed by poster at 29/08/25 20:51:50]

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By (user no longer on site) OP
37 weeks ago

" I don’t often use public transport these days now that I drive but I think if I did I would consider one of the sunflower lanyards to try to ease some of that anxiety."

Oaky, I'll go serious for a moment.

Trust me, the sunflower lanyards have a very limited effect. Most members of the public don't understand or know what the significance of them is.

Some bus drivers do, but all it means to a bus driver is the person really is allowed to travel at concessionary rates and if the bus driver is asked by the passenger to deploy the ramp, then the bus driver should do so without judgement.

However, the bus driver is powerless over how a sunflower lanyard wearer is treated by other passengers on board.

It is far more powerful to have a "companion" or "carer".

I know my response will be controversial, but I have previously worked in a job where I have seen first hand, people similar to yourself.

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By *ny1localMan
37 weeks ago

READING

What ever happened to common courtesy, if its obvious that a standing person might have an obvious need to sit, irrespective of age , gender, or medical condition, why not offer them your seat,even if you're an old git like me who'd prefer to sit.?

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