Giving up your seat...

[Russic]

I have to agree with Firefly here ... when in doubt I think you have to give the benefit of the doubt to the person asking for the seat. I'm sure there are people out there that try to use their age to get seating that they don't need, but I would argue that the number of people that actually need it far outnumber them.

I'm in almost the same boat as the OP. I get on at Somerset and will gladly wait an extra 10 minutes if it means I can get a seat. If somebody asks though, I'm just going to assume you have a physical ailment and need it more. If you don't and you're just being a pr!ck, perhaps karma does exist and you'll burn for all eternity.

I don't give up my seat for women. I understand that in the eyes of many that makes me a pansy or not a real man. That's ok, people are entitled to their opinions and what you think of me doesn't bother me. I know I'm a good guy and that matters more in my eyes.

The way I see it if you're a woman you are not weaker than me, nor are you more delicate. An able bodied woman is just as capable to stand as I am. If you aren't for whatever reason, I'll gladly give up my seat.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by -TC-

Yes, that's exactly why. You also hold doors, help seat them at the table and stand when they leave.

It's called chivalry and it comes along with the advantage of living in a civilized country.

I take pride in the fact that I am a gentleman, so does my Mom, my Dad, my Grandmother and my Daughter.

A little class, dignity and honour goes a long way.

Whatever man, your entitled to you opinion as I am mine. And I agree with what Russic says above. If opening doors, standing up when they leave the table, giving up seats is how you act 'gentlemanly' then good for you. I will act as a 'gentleman' my own way regardless of what others think of me. I know l am a good person at heart and don't need to give up my seat or stand up when they leave to prove that l am. Part of the reason l don't feel the need to 'jump to attention' for every woman is because l hold them as equal to myself, and not some delicate flower who needs to be pampered. Just my opinion of course.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by SteveToms

eHarmony?

Loweredexpectations.com

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Whatever man, your entitled to you opinion as I am mine. And I agree with what Russic says above. If opening doors, standing up when they leave the table, giving up seats is how you act 'gentlemanly' then good for you. I will act as a 'gentleman' my own way regardless of what others think of me. I know l am a good person at heart and don't need to give up my seat or stand up when they leave to prove that l am. Part of the reason l don't feel the need to 'jump to attention' for every woman is because l hold them as equal to myself, and not some delicate flower who needs to be pampered. Just my opinion of course.

I can proudly say that at the age of 42, that I still jump to attention for every woman, and not because they're equal or a delicate flower.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I can proudly say that at the age of 42, that I still jump to attention for every woman, and not because they're equal or a delicate flower.

Duh! It's because you want to touch their lady bits.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Duh! It's because you want to touch their lady bits.

Touch em? I wanna wreckem

[4X4]

I use calgary transit maybe twice a year, so I don't know how valid my opinion is, but the way I look at it, if someone is pregnant, crippled, or hunchbacked (old as frack), there's no question about jumping out of my seat. Otherwise, if you appear able bodied, I'm not going to offer. If you ask, sure, why not. I vaguely recall being asked once. A bit of an older woman that politely asked, but somehow, in her tone, I could tell that she needed it. No prob, ma'am. I can understand the OP's little beef with the woman being bitchy about it, though. I mean, she's practically accusing him of not having manners, when she doesn't either. That's a bitch in my books.

[-TC-]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I will act as a 'gentleman' my own way regardless of what others think of me. I know l am a good person at heart ...

so...you act like a gentleman by not acting like a gentleman...?

that's some sound logic you've got going on.

I'm glad you think you are a good person, because you aren't a gentleman. no matter what you tell yourself.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I would gladly give up my seat to an elderly man or woman. Gender has nothing to do with it so much as age does. I would give up my seat for a pregnant woman or someone holding groceries. Anyone else and I'm not moving unless they ask and even then I'd only move out of fear of social shame from other riders.

QUestion for all the chivalrous guys:

Do you expect a 20-40 year old woman to move for an elderly man? I sure as hell do and it has nothing to do with chivalry, it has to do with being considerate for someone who's knees and back probably aren't as healthy as mine.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Do you expect a 20-40 year old woman to move for an elderly man? I sure as hell do and it has nothing to do with chivalry, it has to do with being considerate for someone who's knees and back probably aren't as healthy as mine.

Hell yeah! But knowing those old codgers, they'd rather keel over and die than take a seat from a lady. Especially when they can use their hunchback to their advantage and stare at boobs.

[amorak]

Originally Posted by -TC-

so...you act like a gentleman by not acting like a gentleman...?

that's some sound logic you've got going on.

I'm glad you think you are a good person, because you aren't a gentleman. no matter what you tell yourself.

Truth right there. Being a good person does not mean you're a gentleman or chivalrous.

[Komskies]

I think the real question here is, would you give up your seat for a pregnant man?

[amorak]

Originally Posted by Komskies

I think the real question here is, would you give up your seat for a pregnant man?

Only if it was ARNOLD:

[GreenLantern]

Fat chicks don't deserve your seat because they choose to be that way.

Also they have no souls.

I would gladly offer up my seat to a crack head or a hooker though, at least they have some pride.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by -TC-

so...you act like a gentleman by not acting like a gentleman...?

that's some sound logic you've got going on.

I'm glad you think you are a good person, because you aren't a gentleman. no matter what you tell yourself.

[kevman]

Originally Posted by -TC-

so...you act like a gentleman by not acting like a gentleman...?

that's some sound logic you've got going on.

I'm glad you think you are a good person, because you aren't a gentleman. no matter what you tell yourself.

Originally Posted by amorak

Truth right there. Being a good person does not mean you're a gentleman or chivalrous.

Haha are you guys for real?

I'm glad to see that both of you, at least on the internet while sitting in front of your computers, are better men then everybody else.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by -TC-

Yes, that's exactly why. You also hold doors, help seat them at the table and stand when they leave.

It's called chivalry and it comes along with the advantage of living in a civilized country.

I take pride in the fact that I am a gentleman, so does my Mom, my Dad, my Grandmother and my Daughter.

A little class, dignity and honour goes a long way.

Your mom, grandma and daughter take pride in the fact they are gentleman? Weird.

[anyonebutedmonton]

I just thought it was an interesting topic to debate. I have only been riding the train for 3 weeks now and I have given up my seat 3 or 4 times. Seems like something many people on here would encounter so I thought I would ask for your opinions.

I love the posters on here who say that I should stand regardless since I am a young guy. Wanting to sit has nothing to do with the physical toll standing places on my body, I just cant read and hold my morning coffee while standing.

[Byrns]

If a seat is available why not sit for your 30 minute journey? You paid for it.

[-TC-]

Originally Posted by kevman

Haha are you guys for real?

I'm glad to see that both of you, at least on the internet while sitting in front of your computers, are better men then everybody else.

very much so.

in front of the computer, in my home, on the street, everywhere.

how we treat others is a direct reflection of how we see ourselves.

the world doesn't have to be the selfish, self absorbed place it is rapidly becoming.