Anonymous wrote:When u are on vacation and on a shuttle bus, is it not courtesy to give a women who is older than you your seat anymore? Also if you are in a group but have to sit solo in a 2 seat row bus, is it not courtesy to scoot over?

I just need some thoughts so I can adjust my thinking to the real world! Lol

Everyone on vacation is old these days because they are the only ones who can afford to vacation.

I’m 63 and have not been offered, nor do I expect or need, a seat. So I guess it depends how old you or the other passengers are. Also it’s not really gendered question. A frail/handicapped man likely needs a seat as much as a similar woman.

I’m not sure why you mention being on vacation and are asking questions specifically about a shuttle bus. Is this somehow different from being on a regular city bus?

Age —unless it’s extreme — wouldn’t get you offered a seat. Someone noticeably elderly, someone with a cane, someone carrying an infant would usually get offered a seat . Someone “older than you” — a category that obviously can vary quite a lot, depending upon how old “you” are doesn’t usually get this type of treatment, but you are always free to offer your seat to someone else as a kindness. This happens a lot on the Metro — especially when people plan to get off the train within a stop or two.

Similarly, I’m not sure about your “being in a group” question. If you’re in a 2 seat row, and someone appears to be looking for a seat, it’s customary to either move to the seat closer to the window, or to get up so that someone else can sit by the window, allowing you to return to the aisle seat. People often do the latter when they anticipate getting up in a few stops.
Being a part of some sort of group wouldn’t change any of this. What might change is that people sitting near each other as part of a group with empty seats between them will usually move over to a seat next to a fellow group member to maintain proximity with them, opening up seats for people who are not members of the group.

Depends on how much older. I’m a middle-aged woman and if someone much older gets on, I’ll offer them my seat. They often say no. But maybe if a young person offered, they’d be more likely to say yes? And yes, in a crowded shuttle, people should not hog seats. But if someone is on the seat by the aisle and the seat by the window is free, it’s also acceptable for them to get up and let you take that window seat. They aren’t obligated to scoot over. And it’s never wrong to pleasantly but firmly say, “Can I sit there, please?” and point to the empty seat, to make someone move so you can sit down.

There are sometimes seats marked for elderly or disabled. Those not should get up.

Anonymous wrote:When u are on vacation and on a shuttle bus, is it not courtesy to give a women who is older than you your seat anymore? Also if you are in a group but have to sit solo in a 2 seat row bus, is it not courtesy to scoot over?

I just need some thoughts so I can adjust my thinking to the real world! Lol

It was never a thing, OP. People give up their seats for disabilities they can see, otherwise you have to ask.

If you’re just an older woman but you appear to be of sound mind and body, no.

If you have a hidden disability, ask. If you want people to scoot over so that there is room for you to sit, ask.

I mean, are you frail and elderly, or are you just like, 55 and relatively healthy?

It’s not really courtesy to give seats to older women anymore just because they are older. Seeming frail or feeble, yes, it should be offered. However, you can just ask. I do it on the metro all the time - excuse me, may I sit there? People don’t offer seats proactively but they always say yes to me when I ask.

For age, no, but for visible conditions, usually people notice and someone offers their seat. Hidden condition? No. People need to see fragility, like a heavily pregnant woman, or an elderly man hobbling with a cane.

Not on the DC metro from what I can see. It also seems acceptable to lay over both seats with you feet hanging in to the aisle.

When u are on vacation and on a shuttle bus, is it not courtesy to give a women who is older than you your seat anymore? Also if you are in a group but have to sit solo in a 2 seat row bus, is it not courtesy to scoot over?

I just need some thoughts so I can adjust my thinking to the real world! Lol