Should you give up your seat on the train for a pregnant woman?

Question

Do you think non pregnant, non disabled people should give up their seat on the rush hour train for a pregnant woman? I have to start work 1 hour earlier because if I get my normal train I have to stand up and end up feeling really sick and dizzy.

I know everyone has paid the same amount of money to get on the train and all that so dont give me a hard time by saying stuff like i chose to get pregnant, get the bus or things like that, I just want to know if you still think it is good manners to do this one little thing for a pregnant woman.

Answer 1

I think it's good manners for people to give up their seats for ANY woman, and most especially a pregnant one.

I would absolutely do this because I've been pregnant twice and know what it's like to have an aching back, swollen, tired feet, blood pressure problems (I would actually faint during my first pregnancy if I stood too long. It's because when you're pregnant, your body manufactures more blood. Standing too long can make you dizzy. If you ever feel this way, PLEASE just sit down right where you are...floor, near the door, whatever.)

Unfortunately, I imagine the majority of the people who won't let you have their seat are under one of two mindsets: Either (like you said), you CHOSE to get pregnant, so why should they care if you stand (most of these people are either women who have never been pregnant or high-and-mighty men; or 2) some of them just plain don't have manners. No apparent reason--they just weren't taught manners. They probably wouldn't give up their seat for anyone, even a pregnant woman.

I'm sorry you are going through this. If I ever saw you on the train I'd definitely let you have my seat! I'd probably even offer to rub your feet. :)

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy, and here's to a healthy, happy, beautiful baby!

Answer 2

If a pregnant woman is showing and obviously pregnant, and someone is neither physically ill, disabled, elderly and infirm or encumbered with a heavy load themselves, it would be a thoughtful thing to do for a young person between age 7 and 49 and someone empty-handed and healthy of limb to give their seat up to a pregnant woman. A senior citizen 50 or older, a child under 7 who is unsteady of limb or a physically ill individual should not be expected to give up their seat for anyone. It looks especially disrespectful for an obviously young, healthy male to remain seated while a very pregnant female is standing on a moving vehicle.

Answer 3

I was on the bus the other day and a woman got on with four children I was sat at the front trapped by the window by a LARGE woman she made the woman stand with her youngest boy(approx2yrs) until at the next stop I got up squeezing past the LARGE lady and letting this woman sit with her child. she smiled thankfully at me and I said "you shouldn't have had to wait there is no need to thank me it is common courtesy". On the buses near me they say "PRIORITY SEATS FOR PEOPLE LESS ABLE TO STAND" I think these signs say it, a pregnant woman is LESS ABLE TO STAND a mother with a young child is LESS ABLE TO STAND an elderly person etc. I don't think you should have to ask people to stand for you they are ignorant if they have not already offered. I am sorry the general public have lost their manners. I hope you continuing train journeys are better.

Answer 4

Definitely, yes. Even though I am ill myself and would struggle to stand. Because I look ok I would feel so guilty if I continued to sit that I would make myself feel even more ill, so I would save myself the stress and the embarrassment of looking ill mannered and I would give my seat up for a pregnant woman, an old person or anyone looking like they were struggling.

Answer 5

Yes it is polite manners ( something this modern society seems to have forgotten ). I know exactly how you feel as I am 25 weeks pregnant at the moment and I suffer with SPD which means I shouldnt be on my feet too much, but not everyone even thinks about letting you sit down.

I hope there are some people who read this and think about it next time they are on public transport and will then get up for you.

If my SPD gets worse I could end up not being able to walk at all so there are real serious reasons as well.

Answer 6

I wouldn't near where I live, all the preganant women around here are only 15. On a rush hour train I'm not sure I'd give up my seat for anyone, it's horrible enough having to commute and I feel really rubbish, sore feet and tired before I even start the day. I do agree that it's good manners to give up a seat for someone less able to stand but seeing as train tickets are so expensive I feel cheated if I have to stand and also of the opinion that why should I offer my seat when all of the people around me (especially teeenagers and men who don't have to deal with high shoes!) refuse to offer theirs. Sorrry, I know it's selish and I do agree with you but I personally wouldn't offer you my seat.

Answer 7

I always give up my seat for anyone unless I am feeling ill. Old people, kids, pregnant women, people with sticks, blind people and even to fully grown men who look tired.
I think manners are very important and once I ended up standing for a 4 hour journey even though I had my ankle in a plaster cast. I figure if I am nice enough to people than maybe one day I might get to sit down next time I break my foot.

Answer 8

Absolutely, I've never been pregnant but it's just common courtesy to let a pregnant woman sit down, I get rush hour trains and it annoys me to see people rushing for seats when there's a pregnant or elderly person who clearly would appreciate it more!

Answer 9

Personally I think its just good manners to offer a seat to pregnant women, the elderly, disabled, etc. But it is getting to be rarer these days when people are more concerned with the spare change it cost them to pay the fare. It's not about what you pay to travel on the bus or train, its just about simple kindness to others.

Answer 10

of course they should, just like they should give up their seat for the elderly, whether you chose to be pregnant or not people should respect you and help you out, i mean if they hurt their leg in a motorbike accident they would want you to give them your seat, well they chose to get on the bike?!?

at the end of the day we live in an ignorman world were people dont care about other people anymore, my parents can tell me about days when you helped old ladies with their shopping or the blind cross the road etc etc....

nowadays everyone is out for themselves there is no love nor caring for anyone in the world anymore, we have all become very selfish and self centred.