Speaking of Metro --sorry pregnant women

[Anonymous]

I just want to apologize to any pregnant women to whom I have not offered a seat lately. I try really hard to give up a seat to anyone who I think needs one -- especially pregnant women because I remember how much I hared being pregnant. I keep messing up, though, and offering seats to people who are not pregnant. The figure out why I'm offering and get offended.

Apparently, I can't tell the difference between a pregnant belly and a fat one. Go figure.

So, sorry to those who I've offended!

[Anonymous]

I find it really easy to tell the difference, but I have a fat belly myself.

[Anonymous]

This is grossly unfair.

I am a male but quite overweight. No one ever offers me a seat on the metro, even though I am carrying more additional pounds than a pregnant woman. Just because I am nurturing a bunch of burritos and some snickers, rather than a new life, does that make me any less deserving?

[Anonymous]

Yes. Yes it does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is grossly unfair.

I am a male but quite overweight. No one ever offers me a seat on the metro, even though I am carrying more additional pounds than a pregnant woman. Just because I am nurturing a bunch of burritos and some snickers, rather than a new life, does that make me any less deserving?

Yes it does. It has taken many years for your body to grow to its current distorted form. You are accustomed to your ill-shaped body and as such you are in a better position handled the jostling and the added G-forces of Metro cars starting and stopping.

[Anonymous]

In my opinion OP, the benefit of someone needing the seat and being pleased far outweighs the risk of offending a person or two who isn't pregnant. Good for you for offering it. I've been fat and I know there are a lot of basic indignities that fat people go through in their daily life. A stranger offering me a place to sit down would not even register on my scale of such indignities.

I know people are going to say pregnant women need to have the cajones to ask for a seat if you need one. Some of us are just not that way. For me, the hardest part of riding the metro pregnant isn't the end when you are huge, but the beginning when no one can tell you are pregnant and you are nauseous all the time. Those starts and stops are horrible with morning sickness!

I get offered a seat a lot of the time now that I commute with my son. I always consider it a kindness even though arguably I don't 'need' to be sitting down.

[Anonymous]

PP, the pregnant woman who has nausea could vomit on the inconsiderate person - I would love to see it!

Why are the Metro riders so inconsiderate? It's not as if they don't notice people right there in front of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is grossly unfair.

I am a male but quite overweight. No one ever offers me a seat on the metro, even though I am carrying more additional pounds than a pregnant woman. Just because I am nurturing a bunch of burritos and some snickers, rather than a new life, does that make me any less deserving?

That depends. Are you one of those dudes who thinks his wang and balls deserve their own seat on the metro, and thus sprawl their legs to take up 1.5-2 seats instead of just one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my opinion OP, the benefit of someone needing the seat and being pleased far outweighs the risk of offending a person or two who isn't pregnant. Good for you for offering it. I've been fat and I know there are a lot of basic indignities that fat people go through in their daily life. A stranger offering me a place to sit down would not even register on my scale of such indignities.

I know people are going to say pregnant women need to have the cajones to ask for a seat if you need one. Some of us are just not that way. For me, the hardest part of riding the metro pregnant isn't the end when you are huge, but the beginning when no one can tell you are pregnant and you are nauseous all the time. Those starts and stops are horrible with morning sickness!

I get offered a seat a lot of the time now that I commute with my son. I always consider it a kindness even though arguably I don't 'need' to be sitting down.

And I think you are so wrong. Get the cajones already-- you're going to be a mother, get used to sticking up for your interests.
I have lost all of the 60 pounds I gained when I was pregnant, but I still have a belly. I have raced in triathlons and half marathons but I cannot get rid of the belly. I occasionally get asked if I am expecting, and I can't help but burst into tears. Literally.
People, if you WANT a seat, you should ASK politely for a seat. Don't just EXPECT to be given a seat.
I have never been refused a seat when I have asked, and in fact, people are quite gracious about it.

[Anonymous]

Well, when being fat gives you shooting stabbing pains down your leg that leads you to be double over in pain and unable to rely on your joints to hold you upright and/or your doubled blood volume causes you to have surges of wooziness that might lead to you suddenly landing in someone's lap, sure, you can be grateful to be offered a seat, too! Last I checked, though, your belly isn't pressing on your sciatica and your extra fat isn't diluting your blood pressure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is grossly unfair.

I am a male but quite overweight. No one ever offers me a seat on the metro, even though I am carrying more additional pounds than a pregnant woman. Just because I am nurturing a bunch of burritos and some snickers, rather than a new life, does that make me any less deserving?

That depends. Are you one of those dudes who thinks his wang and balls deserve their own seat on the metro, and thus sprawl their legs to take up 1.5-2 seats instead of just one?

You guys are both funny! Thanks for the laugh this morning!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is grossly unfair.

I am a male but quite overweight. No one ever offers me a seat on the metro, even though I am carrying more additional pounds than a pregnant woman. Just because I am nurturing a bunch of burritos and some snickers, rather than a new life, does that make me any less deserving?

I've been both pregnant and grossly overweight. No comparison.

Grossly overweight doesn't mean your center of gravity is constantly thrown forward, and you have no balance.
Grossly overweight doesn't mean you have contractions, cramps, pains, leakage, and sore breasts.
Grossly overweight doesn't mean someone is kicking you from the inside, and doing flips in your belly.
Grossly overweight doesn't mean you sleep 45 minutes at a time, if you sleep at all.
Grossly overweight doesn't mean your feet grow 3 sizes in a month and your legs are grossly swollen.
Grossly overweight doesn't mean you're so nauseous you can hardly speak.
Grossly overweight doesn't mean strangers touch you constantly.

[Anonymous]

I think you offered me your seat OP. Just as you're sorry for offending non-pregnant women, I'm sorry for going with the flow and letting you continue to think I was pregnant. I was just fat and tired. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure Mr. Burritos and Snickers was making a joke, not being serious.

[Anonymous]

Gee, I remember the time when the young people were taught to give up their seats to anyone who was older than them, or needed one, that would include the obese young man who just happens to need a seat