Travelling on the bus to school on Friday. I offered an elderly lady a seat and was accused of being an "Agest" by her.
I told my teacher & she said that the UK had gone mad with being PC, is this true? I was only being polite.
2006-10-15 23:19:37 · 31 answers · asked by 24/12/1993 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Good for you Sian,
You were showing good manners!
2006-10-15 23:24:31 · answer #1 · answered by claire j 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My nan maintained to her dying day that she was not 'old'. She was 77 when she died and looked very much the little old lady. So maybe this woman was similar, but she didn't have to be so rude!
If you had offered your seat to me, I would have been more grateful than you could ever know - I have an unseen disability and standing is very painful for me, but as I look healthy and am young (25 next week!) people think I'm just weird when I sit on the floor on buses/tubes/trains etc.
I think you can be accused of just about anything for no reason today, purely because the accusers know you won't challenge them because you don't want such a negative label. PCness is a way for the types of people who exploit it to get whatever they want out of life and not have to pay for it (and I don't just mean money-wise). It's the victims of political correctness who are the most politically correct, because they weren't even thinking in such a negative way as these people!
By offering your seat you weren't being ageist - ageism is preventing someone doing something or excluding them because of their age, not showing them kindness. You didn't even think what you were doing could be thought of in any way negatively - which shows your intentions were good and pure. It's such a shame that this one instance will make you think twice in future - please don't stop! One day there may be someone who does really need a seat and will be really, truly grateful for your kindness!
2006-10-15 23:43:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree that PC has gone totally over the top - in so many things. If I listed all the things I think have gone OTT, then I think I'd be here all day!
You did the right thing, don't be put off by a miserable old fart being rude when you're trying to be polite, I would have done exactly the same as you!
2006-10-15 23:36:55 · answer #3 · answered by junkmonkey1983 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's true that the world has gone PC mad, but I don't think that's the problem here. I think that maybe she didn't feel she was an old person. Possibly by offering her a seat you made her feel old, when she thought she wasn't (or didn't want to think she was).
Don't worry though, most older people would be glad of a seat.
2006-10-15 23:32:09 · answer #4 · answered by Steve-Bob 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The worlk has gone completely bloody nuts
When people knew common sense and courtesy ( as you obviously do) things like this didn't happen. Now everyone is 'trained' in their rights, you can't move without upsetting someone.
Political Correctness has played straight into the hands of those malcontents within society who will agitate and create difficulty where there is none.
Stick to your good manners, and be better than them
2006-10-15 23:39:13 · answer #5 · answered by Graham B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about it, the old woman was undoubtably a b1*ch, you should have hit her for saying you were being ageist. You were just being polite. Like you said. Don't stop being polite. Ignore rude old women like her. Her punishment is that she has to live with everything being a problem. She'd have complained if you didn't offer her your seat. My Nan would have taken your seat and said "Thankyou", as fully functioning human should do.
2006-10-15 23:35:28 · answer #6 · answered by Mudkips 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mad? Please, this is not the Middle Ages! The correct term is "mentally challenged".
Only joking! Well done for offering up your seat. It's like that story about the man opening a door for a woman. "I hope you're not opening the door for me because I'm a lady," she says. "I'm opening it because I'm a gentleman," he swiftly replies. The point being, you showed class and manners. The old bat may have had neither but she should not put you off doing the same again. Besides, next time, I'm sure it'll be appreciated.
2006-10-15 23:31:48 · answer #7 · answered by christian martini 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes i think it has! I would be pleased to be offered a seat by a young person such as yourself and i'm not all that old myself (I'm 31)!
I think we need more people like you and less of the accusing old bag you offered a seat to! keep up the good work, don't let her put you off!
2006-10-15 23:23:23 · answer #8 · answered by Andromeda Newton™ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its crazy cos if you hadnt got up to offer said old dear the seat someone else on the the bus would have given you earache for not moving.
PC gone mad is an understatement. We cant even sing Baa Baa Black sheep anymore in csae we offend African people, jesus wept
2006-10-15 23:22:55 · answer #9 · answered by poli_b2001 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes it's true. It's gone over the top now. It doesn't pay to be polite anymore, you will get on better in life if you don't talk to anyone incase 'hello' is infensive to someone and don't sit next to anyone in McDonalds incase they say you're calling them fat if you glance in their direction. In fact, if you stay at home you'll be fine and it's the only way you won't offend people by breathing the same air as them!
2006-10-15 23:39:52 · answer #10 · answered by jeeps 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Elderly people might accuse you of just about anything, because their minds are slipping. I'm sorry, but it's true! Try not to let it hurt you, or believe bad things about anyone else when an elderly person says them until you've really checked it out.
2006-10-15 23:34:48 · answer #11 · answered by shirleykins 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋