Sabrina’s ordinary subway commute takes an unexpected turn when her mother reprimands a young man who appears to be in good health for taking a reserved seat in public.
However, there is undoubtedly more going on than meets the eye.
Subway Conflict: Protecting the Mother
I was riding the city subway on an unseasonably warm spring afternoon, the 1st, going through the routine of my daily commute. It was impossible to find a seat in the car, yet you could stand without getting too close to strangers. It was the perfect amount of overcrowded seats.
This little kid, about eleven or twelve years old, was in the back of the car, completely engrossed in his phone. He was sitting in one of those chairs reserved for the elderly, the disabled, or women who were obviously pregnant.
This woman burst into the door of the train, dragging a small child who was struggling to keep up. The boy was sitting when she noticed him and the look she gave him could have made frozen lava.
She seemed to be trying to use her mind to force him out of his seat as she stood there for a moment.
The child was engrossed in his screen, oblivious to her intense gaze. This made her look even more irritated. She strode up to him and called out, “You young man! Can’t you see I’m a parent here? You’re obviously in good health, so how dare you sit in the seat that was reserved? Am I right?” Her voice just kept getting louder.
For a moment, everyone around seemed to be on her side as they began to pay attention. However, the boy’s mother enters the picture out of nowhere.
There was something calm and strong about her.
She says to the first woman, “You’re going to regret it,” and there was something in her tone that made you pause.
Not long after, the boy puts down his phone, ends the game, and rolls up his denim leg to reveal a prosthetic limb. He takes it off and places it right in front of the surprised woman.
The subway car was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. A woman’s face? It quickly turned from rage to shit. She stepped back, mumbled something, and got off at the next stop, as if desperate to leave.
As she drove off, everyone in the car let out a collective breath, and an air of unspoken support permeated the space. The mother subtly assisted her son in using his prosthesis, as if they had practiced the exercise beforehand.
For the rest of the ride, I couldn’t help but notice how quickly we formed opinions before hearing all the details. The dramas that take place in these public spaces are absurd.
What do you think – did the boy’s mother handle things correctly? How would you react in her place? Stay tuned for another equally crazy story to come!
Seat Conflict: A Silent Note from an Expectant Mother
Twenty-one years ago, I, Sarah, had an extraordinary experience on a commuter bus. It was during the tense and nerve-racking first trimester of my pregnancy. At the time, a noticeable bloated stomach was the only telltale indicator of my pregnancy, making it difficult to tell when I was sitting still.
I once managed to snag a senior or disabled seat that was often available unless someone else arrived who needed it. The vehicle was packed and there was no more room for personal space. All I wanted was a place, that’s all.
An older woman approached as we were milling about. She found a seat next to me and wasn’t particularly weak; she did not use a cane or a walker.
But as soon as we started moving, she started kicking my legs. First, I moved away and judged her case from a distance.
Was it a reflex?
But I couldn’t take these purposeful kicks any longer before I lost my patience. Feeling a little irritated, I said, “Ma’am, do you want my seat?” She simply folded her arms and gave a wild look in return.
I moved slightly to show her my pregnant belly which was visible as soon as I stood up.
Her reaction was quick; her gaze flicked to my stomach and then back again, her expression defiantly refusing to admit her mistake. We stayed there the rest of the way: me standing and waiting and her sitting quietly staring at nowhere but me.
The other passengers watched us silently as we found ourselves in a stalemate. Although it was a silent script, it communicated a lot because of the weight of unspoken judgments and the silent support of those around us.
When I got off the bus at my stop, she just nodded politely and that was the extent of our interaction. Although it was a small incident on the bus, it served as a stark reminder of how quickly we form opinions based on what we perceive to be true.
Do you think I solved it correctly?
How would you react in such a situation? Hang in there because we have another story that you might find just as fascinating!
Inadequate demands: Arguing over a seat on a bus
What began as another day on the city bus became something more—a lesson in mindfulness and humility. My name is Marianne and due to the condition of my hips, I was really lucky to get one of those seats designed for people who are unable to stand for long periods of time. I extended my leg to prevent it from locking while I had my staff tucked in. Yes, it hurts as it sounds.
While it wasn’t chaotic, the bus was packed. There was enough space that he didn’t feel cramped. I was totally engrossed in the podcast and completely oblivious to the outside world when someone tapped me on the shoulder.
A certain woman asked very forcefully, “Don’t you think you should give up your seat?” Half expecting to see someone who clearly needed the place more than I did, I looked up in confusion. No, all there was was her staring expectantly.
I just said, “Err…” before she cut me off with a pointed “Well!?” My aversion to conflict began to show. I mumbled, “Okay,” and carefully took out the stick, hoping he’d see it and maybe change his mind.
No, but she remained motionless. Not even the sight of the stick evoked recognition or regret. She sat down as if nothing had happened and I stood up, each step sending a jolt of pain through my hips. I was secretly hoping that someone would see me leaning against the pole and extend an invitation for me to sit down. Unfortunately, it was not to be. I was too proud and hurt to ask directly.
The bus suddenly gave way with a violent shock.
I lost track when the driver suddenly had to hit the brakes to stop for a jaywalker. My leg suddenly gave way, causing me to fall and slide across the floor of the bus. The pain was immediate.
Right there, the bus driver asked, “Are you okay? Do you have a head injury? Where’s the suffering?” As I lay there, a flood of self-judgmental thoughts hit me: why couldn’t I stand firmer?
I tried to brush it off with a mumbled apology, even though it was obvious something was wrong. As he assisted me in parking, the driver guided me toward the reserved seats. The woman who was sitting in my place suddenly seemed really embarrassed, got up, and hurried away without a word.
That ride was a blur the rest of the way. I tried not to think about the discomfort during that time, instead thinking about what had happened. It all came back to me as I lay in bed that night, a sobering reminder of the struggles that people with hidden disabilities experience on a daily basis.
I would therefore like to make a small request to anyone who may encounter something like this: giving up your seat if you witness something like this goes beyond simple courtesy. It is a huge help to those of us who suffer in silence.
Asking is difficult, especially when our problems are hidden. Offering a seat or performing a small act of kindness can save someone from a rough night. It might not seem like much, but trust me – it makes a difference.
Here’s another story that might appeal to you if these made you cry:
Some man shamelessly takes the seat on the train that I had reserved, but I’ll settle down!
One passenger on a particularly overcrowded train from Edinburgh to London found himself in a frustrating situation that quickly turned into a cunning act of rebellion. A passenger who carefully chose a window seat with a table for his trip in hopes of a nice flight is the subject of this Reddit article.
But when they boarded, they saw something strange and unexpected: four people had taken their assigned seats, including the window seat that was actually theirs. Not sure what to do, the passenger motioned for the four people to clear their seats.
The main character of the narrative, the man who sat where the passenger had reserved it, brazenly refused to move even when prompted. The train was packed with people and there were no free seats anywhere. It seemed hopeless.
Surrounded by his friends, the man refused to budge and cited an overcrowded train as his justification, infuriating the rightful seat holder.
Trying to find a solution, the distraught passenger went to the ticket office for help. However, the man refused to move when the ticket collector approached him and asked him to do so.
To the passenger’s surprise, the ticket collector acknowledged that he did not have the authority to transfer and recommended that they find another seat, even though there was none available.
This took the traveler by surprise and he asked what else could be done. The passenger told the ticket collector that only the police had the authority to remove people from their seats by force. However, the ticket collector assured the passenger that the police would not show up in such a case.
The passenger decided to do his own kind of justice when he realized he could stand all the way to London. When the ticket collector was informed that they wanted to sit in first class, they were reminded that this was not allowed.
Ironically, the passenger pointed out that the police were unlikely to respond to such a call, repeating his previous incompetence, and retaliating by saying that the ticket collector could call the police.
Reactions to the Reddit article have been mixed, with many highlighting the apparent lack of power on the part of train staff to enforce seating arrangements.
Many questioned the effectiveness of the current system and expressed astonishment that such basic laws could not be introduced without the involvement of the police.
Those who worked in comparable service capacities and left comments recounted their personal experiences with rule-breaking and enforcement. Cinema management deftly uses public pressure to resolve seating issues and conductors in Belfast and Dublin enforce compliance by threatening police to wait at stops and not allow the train to go until the situation is resolved.
The commenter pointed out the inconsistent way in which these kinds of circumstances are handled, including personal anecdotes about being promoted to first class when confronted with a comparable problem on the same route. This was in stark contrast to passenger experience, suggesting that passenger treatment differs in these situations.
The conversation also turned to moral and social responsibility, with many criticizing the person who took the reserved seat and demanding swift retribution for their careless actions. Many frequent travelers who have experienced similar circumstances have found resonance in the story and expressed hope that more concrete answers will be discovered in the future.
During the exchange of stories and opinions, the important question of the possible consequences of acting alone, as the first passenger did, was raised.
Some praised the audacity of the move to first class, but others expressed concern about the financial and legal ramifications and emphasized the delicate dynamics of standing up for one’s rights in public.
These stories from the busy environment of subways and buses offer more than anecdotes about the daily commute; they serve as a powerful reminder of the complexities and nuances of human behavior and the importance of empathy. Sabrina’s story of a mother defending her son from an unjust accusation highlights the hidden challenges many individuals face. The boy’s use of a prosthetic limb was not immediately apparent, leading to a hasty and unfair judgment by another passenger. This incident not only emphasized the need to withhold judgment until all the facts are known but also illustrated the profound impact that a mother’s quiet strength and protective instinct can have in defusing a tense situation.
Sara’s experience during pregnancy is another example of the everyday challenges faced by individuals whose needs may not be immediately obvious. Her silent confrontation with an older woman on the bus reveals the often-overlooked frictions that arise from competing needs and societal pressure to prove entitlement to special accommodations. This interaction, though subtle, speaks to the silent battles waged by those whose conditions or circumstances are not overtly visible. It highlights the need for greater awareness and understanding among commuters and promotes a more respectful and supportive public transport culture.
Marianna’s account of her confrontation on the bus vividly illustrates the harsh reality faced by individuals with hidden disabilities. Her effort to assert her need for a designated seat, only to be met with indifference and ultimately pain, underscores the importance of visible compassion and support in the public space. The bus driver’s intervention, while well-intentioned, came too late to prevent her from experiencing physical and emotional hardship. This story is a poignant reminder that small acts of kindness and awareness can make a big difference in someone’s day, especially for those dealing with chronic pain or a disability that isn’t immediately obvious.
The story of the dispute over a seat on the train offers a broader view of social norms and the enforcement of rules in the public transport environment. Passengers’ efforts to reclaim their reserved seats from an uncooperative group, coupled with the helplessness of ticket collectors, expose the flaws in a system designed to protect passengers’ rights. The traveler’s decision to assert his position by upgrading to first class despite the risks reflects a broader societal frustration with the ineffectiveness of enforcement mechanisms. The story resonated with many and sparked discussions about the need for better enforcement of public transport regulations and the importance of standing up for yourself in the face of injustice.
Together, these stories underscore the critical need for empathy, patience, and a willingness to understand the unseen challenges others may face. They emphasize the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive environment in public spaces where individuals feel comfortable and respected, regardless of their visible or hidden conditions. The stories also call for a rethink of how public transport authorities manage and enforce the rules, suggesting that a more compassionate and proactive approach could greatly improve the commuting experience for everyone. As we navigate our daily lives, these stories remind us to look beyond the surface and offer kindness and understanding to those around us