Get outta my seat old man
The MTA is continuing their quest to teach us barbaric New Yorkers some morals. Of course, they are exactly the right team of folks to be in charge of such an endeavor.
In their latest batch of subway car advertisements, a sign clearly illustrates that it is “the right thing to do” when you get up and give your seat to a person with diabilities. Plus, IT IS THE LAW. Oooooo the law.
I think SUBWAYblogger’s policy on the whole seat issue has been well established. However, to sum it up, if you are spry enough to drag your ass down the stairs from street level, stand in the 100 degree heat on the platform waiting for the train, and navigate the flood of people getting on/off the train, you’re good enough to stand. If you failed any part of that scenario, you probably didn’t make it on the train alive.
There’s a very rare group of exceptions to this rule, so chances are you won’t see me giving up a seat.
But that’s not my point.
Back to the signs.
Is it not a bit presumptive that every person with disabilities wants a seat on the train? If you’re sitting in once of those specially noted seats, you’re obligated to get up by L-A-W. Doesn’t that cause a certain level of indignity to be bestowed upon these people?
It’s like asking the woman in line at the grocery store when the baby is due only to find out that she’s not at all pregnant. Oops.
Isn’t getting up to let the guy with the cane sit down the same thing.
“Hey you with the gimpy leg, come take my seat so I don’t get a ticket from the humanity police.”
You actually see it happen a lot with old people. A guy sees and old lady get on the train and dives out of the way so she can have his seat. She is totally ok with standing, but now you’ve just pointed out to her that she clearly looks to ancient and frail to stand there on her own.
It’s all just a lot of politically correct bullshit. If someone truly can’t manage to stand, all they need to do is ask for someone’s seat.
- 57 Rider Opinions
- Tags: empty seat, mta, old ladies, signs
I see elderly and disabled people NOT accepting a seat for this exact reason. They resent being labled too frail to stand, and don’t take the seat you want to give them. Some even give you a look that says “what, you think I’m that old?”. You just can’t please everyone.
ReplyI’m all for being indignant as a way of life, but I think you’ve gone off the edge a little here. Isn’t assuming that an old or disabled person will be offended by your offer of a seat just as bad as assuming that they want to sit. Perhaps, there’s a category of person who wants to sit but is uncomfortable asking. And how do you know someone who declines a seat does so because they resent being asked? Its kind of silly that they make those announcements, b/c seriously, no one in the history of the NYC subway system has ever been given a ticket for not standing up on a crowded train. But, making a suggestion to be polite to the elderly and disabled is not something to gripe about.
ReplyI’ve had some pretty bad experiences with giving up my seat to some elderly people. There are times when they do not even acknowledge the fact that I gave them my seat and I do not even hear a simple thank you nor a smile. It’s as if the world owes them the favor. As a result, I usually size up the person that I give up my seat to. I’ve been burned a couple of times so sometimes I do not bother anymore. As much as I would like to become a good helpful citizen, I now have to think twice about giving up my seat.
ReplyIf everyone did what they do only because they got something immediately in return, I think a lot of good things would not be done. When one person doesn’t bow down and kiss your feet when you do a nice thing I don’t think is a very good reason to stop the good karma. There are other ways to feel rewarded personally for being a “good citizen” or any other “good” that have nothing to do with whom or what is the recipient of your good will. So, keep up the good and I believe things should eventually come full circle.
ReplyWell, what can I say. I always give up my seat when someone obviously needs it more than me. So some elderly people don’t give you credit for it, big deal. Most actually appreciate it, and it makes me feel good. I don’t think it has to be the law though.
ReplyActually, sometimes the elderly, pregnant or parents with small kids are only riding for 2 or 3 stops and don’t even want the hassle of getting in and out of a seat and fighting to exit the train quickly. That’s happened to me so many times – “Oh, it’s ok, I’m getting off in 2 stops”. So then you sheepishly slink back into your seat, or look for the next “needy” person to give your seat to since you are up already….
ReplyI don’t ride the bus or skytrain here in Vancouver very often but I don’t mind giving up my seat if it looks like someone could use it more than me. Most of us have the common sense to do that when it lloks like the thing to do
That LAW you speak of sounds like some Poser type Politician jockeying for points for something he thinks might boost his popularity. What gives THEM the right to impose morality like that
ReplyI usually ask before giving up my seat for the specific reasons you listed. There are some really stubborn and proud elderly men. If you don’t ask and just get up to offer your seat they get really offended. The elderly women, however, appreciate this kind of chivalry and will usually reply with a “thank you honey”. I usually do that for the pregnant ladies too.
Com’on people if by giving up your seat you decrease the risk of injury to the ones that really need it why not. Yes you have every right to sit in your seat but stop thinking of just yourself.
ReplyStubborn old men alright… there’s no common curtesy anymore especially for woman with young children. Is male chivalry completely dead (and burried!) these days? Sadly, It appears so…
Replyi’ll give up my seat to anyone who i think deserve it more than me , well not deserves it but needs it more than me ,
ReplyFrustrated and happy commuters: Share your commuting stories with concerned citizens and transportation experts throughout the country at http://www.infrastructureusa.org. Make your voice an influential part of the conversation. Post videos and photos of your transit experience, and join the dialogue already underway.
ReplyI just make a quick judgment looking at the person. If they seem to have a problem standing, whether it’s an old man or pregmant woman, I’ll happily give up the seat but if the old man seem strong enough I’m not going to give up the seat for the sake of it.
ReplyThis should not be a law. There are several ways to give up your seat to someone who seems to need one. (1)You can get up, (2)you can ask them if they would like your seat, (3)You can pretend you are about to get off, and go to the other end of the car. Most people would like a seat after walking to the subway, and waiting a bit on the platform; unless, of course, they are riding for just one or two stops.
ReplyI dont mind giving up my seat for someone needy, but I hate it when someone feels obliged to take my seat when they are NOT needy…there’s a fine line between using a service and taking advantage of it…
ReplyIts when they are so rude to you that gets me.
ReplyFirst of all, where we can read the L-A-W…. it usually, give up your seat to disabled, it’s the LAW… now smoking in elevators, it’s the LAW…. Where can I get the whole list of do and don’t so I wont get busted….
ReplyAs for the topic… I don’t mind to offer my seat, but sometimes when you offer it person feels him/herself a lit bit angular… but in confront, some people just stand over you and hang over u until u give up your seat just for the sake of not been sprayed by someone’s saliva …
MTA may fight panel’s hefty pay hikes for transit workers
By Pete Donohue
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Saturday, August 15th 2009
The MTA is considering challenging an arbitration panel’s decision to grant transit workers generous wage hikes, officials said Friday.
A state judge can throw out a contract after concluding arbitrators didn’t properly apply the criteria mandated by the legislation, including an employer’s ability to pay wages and benefits.
The pact grants transit workers staggered annual raises totaling 4%, 4% and 3.5% over the three-year contract.
MTA officials said it would increase costs by $350 million.
The major provisions in the contract crafted by the arbitrators mirror the terms supported last year by MTA CEO Elliot Sander and NYC Transit President Howard Roberts before direct talks with union boss Roger Toussaint ended and the two sides turned to arbitration to finalize a deal. Sander resigned in May.
The MTA under acting CEO Helena Williams tried unsuccessfully to steer the panel away from the framework supported by Sander and Roberts, concluding it spelled a bad financial deal for the authority, even if it included removing conductors from some subway lines.
A union spokesman said the MTA’s legal review is “another attempt by the MTA to mask its incompetence.”
ReplyGreat article. I have to agree with red fox
ReplyAlright you people over analyze this wayyyy to much…
My experience riding the NYC subway is this…
Simply ask the individual politely if they would like to sit down…
If nothing is implied then they can just as politely deny the request, which has been the case in many of my own personal experiences.
But i would say 8 out of 10 times I do this, I am giving up my seat.
Now before some of you decide to be bitter and not ask at all… imagine that the person in question was an individual of your family…
Would you like your pregnant sister to stand?
How about your elderly Mother?
How about your father who now has a cane?
All circumstances are different in their own way…
Just dont be a dick and be polite…
especially if you are able bodied…
Personally there is nothing that I hate more then when people act like the situation doesn’t even exist. Please don’t do that.
ReplyOnly in New York will you find someone griping about the mere suggestion of politeness. But I do get it, you guys have a reputation to up hold and all.
ReplyOn a different subject…when are you going to update your blog again. It has been forever.
ReplyI don’t mind giving up my seat, standing up is fine by me. I just don’t like when a homeless dude who crapped his pants chooses to walk around the cabin.
ReplyArgh… For me, I didn’t hope much to please people giving me seat on the train. You know I’m having my 5 months old baby with me on the train and nobody dare to give up any seats for me poor lady. What a shame!!!
Replygood to share your experience with us people and by you we come to know about the new yorker people
Replythanks
I think they should just develop specific seats for old and disabled people. That way, none of us would have to embarrass them out loud… they could just sit in the obvious old/disabled seats and everyone would already know.
ReplyDear Subway Blogger-
Is this a blog or a monthly/bimonthly newsletter?
Please update! The suspense is killing me. There is so much to talk about yet we are still chipping away at the topic of old people (not that they’re unimportant).
ReplyMaybe they should just designate a few seats as “handicapped.” ANYONE and ANY TIME sitting in them are subject to a fine, imprisonment, or a beating by a cane-wielding madman!
ReplyEven though I might be classified as old giving up my seat for a more deserving person like pregnant lady, disabled person is something I’d never think twice. When you do it don’t expect any thank yous from some of these people who think it is their right! Thank you for a thought provoking topic.
ReplyI do feel sympathy for people with disabilities.
However, I do not believe the have the right to make demands like that. They are less fortunate for sure but that doesn’t mean they can be rude.
Replyi remember when this blog used to be an interesting read; something i’d check several times weekly. i don’t know what has happened to it over the past year or so, but it’s turned into a juvenile bitch-fest with nothing worthwhile or interesting whatsoever. what the hell happened? bring on an additional blogger (or 5.) i mean, the latest entry was written on july 22nd. do you really have nothing else to say over the course of a month and a half?
ReplyWhat about someone that has a broken leg? I had a broken leg once and only was able to get a seat a few times a week. I didn’t ask for one or force anyone, I just stood there. So many times people would see me in extreme discomfort and then just look away. There are people our there that NEED the seat more then you do. Yeah, I was able to get out of bed, drag myself to the subway, and stand there, but that doesn’t give you an excuse to sit there and not help someone out. I can’t tell you how many times I almost fell over and would get the evil look from people. Oh yeah, another thing, if someone has a broken leg and can’t bend it, causing it to stick out a little bit into the aisle, DONT give them $hit about it. Also, if you step on it or kick it, don’t yell at me, I can’t help it. Trust me, I’m not doing it because I want to. If I had a choice, the leg wouldn’t have broke in the first place. A simple sorry would be nice.
ReplyI’m glad to see that most people are still in favour of offering a seat, gives me hope in humanity. I think it’s worth being considerate and polite at the risk of offending the odd person.
ReplyIt is heartening to see that people are still offering seats to old and disabled people. But in my opinion it is always better to ask someone if they actually want the seat.The disabled may not want the seat due to various reasons such as getting down at next station and so on.
ReplyWhy on earth do we need signs for something which should simply be good manners and second nature. The answer lies in education and not in yet more laws in a society which is already growing under the weight of laws and lawyers.
ReplyHAha! There is nothing need to be in manner as long as we don’t practice evil rights. Right? I wonder why the author of subway blogger stop writing in this blog.
ReplyWell, I suppose old people need love too. I mean, not according to Obama… but, to some people.
Reply@Kelly:
Why do we need signs telling people to clean up after their dogs.
ReplyIt’s of not use, even if there’s a loudhailer broadcasting the message every single minute. The folk just sit down, close the eyes, pretending to doze off, completely ignorant. That’s where I can’t stand it.
ReplyDoes it have to be a law to be polite?
Reply“Hey you with the gimpy leg, come take my seat so I don’t get a ticket from the humanity police.”
Replyi lol’d. nice post
nice thoughts.!!!
Eileen…
ReplyI feel sorry for old people (the nice ones) but not the ones who think that age gives them the given right to be entitled to everything and abuse the rest of the planet.
ReplyWhat happened to subway blogger?
ReplyAgree partially but there are cases when you should give up your seat. And it does not make sense to be finicky about what signs say. Let them be there in peace and just live your life.
ReplyI get what you’re saying about it being kind of demeaning for the person who doesn’t need to actually sit down and agree.
The thing I hate, is when there is a struggle for who needs it more. The old person getting on makes the young mother with a newborn get out of the seat for him/her. That’s totally not cool!
ReplyWhere’d this blog go?
ReplyIt’s always a paiful call for a man to take. You see a lady, try to guess her age and if she would like to sit down or not. Eitehr way you risk offending! I found the way to do it well is to offer your seat witha charming swagger, as though you would offer it to any lady young or old. Don’t look concerned, as though you’re worried they’re about to keel over and die of old age on the spot!
Replyhow come you never post anymore! i love this site
ReplyI kind of miss this blog, you’ve gone MIA on us…
ReplyPointing out ones ‘disablility’ in front of a packed train cant be good for their confidence
ReplyGiving up your seat to an older person can bring different responese from a polite thank you to a look which conveys “how dare you insult me by thinking I am past it you d******d”. However we should consider it is better to give than receive and if there are some who are ignorant in their refusal then forget them.
ReplyMaybe people who need to sit down should wear a sign on their coat or something like that, so there is no more guesswork and nobody gets insulted.
ReplyHey I just read this blog and have to congradulate on this blog. I’m going to tweet this.
ReplyDid the subwayblogger die? Where are the new entries?!!!!
Replyi personally have no problem giving my seat to the elderly, my own problem is the law issue. i mean how can it be illegal to not give up my seat? i personally think the government is infringing too much and want to make everything illegal..pretty soon looking at a pigeon will be illegal
ReplyRather than “giving up” your seat, why don’t you simply ask “Would you like to sit down?” That way the elderly who are too proud, the woman with children getting off at the next stop, etc. can simply say “No, thank you.” I never hesitate to offer my seat in such way to those who I think might appreciate the opportunity to sit down. But then again, unlike the obviously self-absorbed and selfish writer of this post I believe that kindness is a limitless commodity, not something to be doled out as if it were precious gems. And in my 32 years of subway riding, I have never had a bad reaction from me asking – only grateful thank-yous or polite refusals.
ReplyYup, just like you said, It’s all just a lot of politically correct bullshit.
Reply