To give or to keep...

China
June 9, 2012 9:30am CST
In China, the culture always advocates soical courtesy like giving seats to those who are under privilieged when taking a bus. In my city the public bus system has a broadcasting system repeating this information very often and it encourages the clients to give away seats to the elderly,the weak,the diseased , and the disabled and pregnant women and children. I have had given away my seats to people fell under that category but the circumstance around that may be different each time and there were times I did not give my seat those others. There are always two sides of factors to influence your decision of to give or to keep your seat. The first and more influencial side is from the condition of the person you see. Usually I'd give the seat to those who are obivously over than 60 and others who are very clear to have the need to have a seat like a woman carrying a very young baby; The second factor is related to my own situation at that specific moment . At times I,myself, am tired,say after a long session of dancing, or when I am going on a long distance journey with a pair of high-heeled shoes on. At those moments, I am a bit reluctant to give my seat to others ,so at times I simply suggested to share a seat with people when it's not too embarrassing. Also I do had times that I felt a big guilty for not giving seats because of the unfavorite conditions from my own side ...What's the story from you guys? Have you ever had similar experiences of my sort??
4 responses
• Canada
9 Jun 12
Well where I am from I find that people are just not that nice!! but seriously yeah I guess some people might give up a seat on a bus depending on the situation, but It's not that common that I have seen. We have handycap or disables area in most buses specifically for that purpose. Of course to be honest with you, I tend to drive more then I take a bus. I think it's very nice of you however to consider giving away you're seat, but I do agree that sometimes after a hard day.. you just want to sit down!
• China
9 Jun 12
So in order to avoid making a tough decision, just drive your own car , scout:P
• Canada
9 Jun 12
For sure if you have you're own car might as well use it! Wow I bet it is so frustrating to drive in you're country as it is so busy. I know my girlfriend said the traffic in many parts of her country is just insane compared to here in canada:)
@dobsyto (298)
• Bulgaria
9 Jun 12
Yeah. This depends on the person that you are. I also often give my seat to older people or mothers with kids because they just need to seat. It is kind of a helping them in need. Well one day we will be also old and we will also need to seat. Just think about that. I really hate when I see young kids siting out there and in front of them is an old person looking for a seat. For me it depends mainly on you and how your parents raised you. So I think that we can be very tired but however we should share our seats for the older one or mothers with kids. So keep it up and help by sharing your seat!
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
9 Jun 12
dobsyto it depends on the tiredness of ourselves. if we are very tired then we may give hesitatingly.
• China
9 Jun 12
Let's applaud for those who are willing to help others :P
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
9 Jun 12
We don't have announcements like that in my country, but in almost every bus there are 3 or 4 seats for senior citizens or people with disabilities. Other people are allowed to use those seats if there are no senior citizens or disabled people, but they are supposed to leave the seat if a person from one of the those groups needs the seat. In the rest of the bus there are no official rules about the seats, but many young passengers still choose to offer their seats senior citizens. I usually do the same thing if I see a person who needs the seat more than me. The only exception was the time when I had an illness that made me incredibly tired. At that time I found it hard to stand for more than 5 or 10 minutes, so I chose to keep my seat.
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
9 Jun 12
19jasmine I am on the receiving side -- i am above 60. I am now in a college in vilulpuram suburbs of chennai. Today I went to nearby town thro college bus and two students stood up and gave the seat to us. We are now taking placement classes for them. it is good to give seat to needy people.