CTA Tattler

If this weren't for real, it easily could be a story on the Onion Radio News.
--Andy

The best is the "I thought chivalry was dead" look I get on the Orange line during rush hour. We're packed in like sardines and someone near me gets off at Halsted or Ashland or whatever. A woman will look at me as if to say, 'I know you want the seat', but when I let them have it, 9 times out of ten they're incredulous. Maybe some guys weren't raised properly...

Ed: I know I'm always incredulous when some gentleman offers me a seat. It happened several times lately on crowded #9/X9 busses. It is so unusual, it surprised me so much the first time I didn't think to say thank you for a good two seconds or so. And, for what it's worth, I never had guys offer me their seat before, say, the past six months or so -- I don't know if folks are getting more polite, or if I'm just getting old!

You have to be careful with this. I gave up my seat to a woman I though was pregnant. She said thanks, I said something like "I would want to a seat if I was carrying around a baby too," and she said "what are you talking about?" Turns out she was just fat. I had to switch cars at the next stop to get away from all of the dirty looks and smirks.

Man Rule #358: "Never assume a woman is pregnant unless you can see the baby coming out."

Rule #358A: "But give up your seat anyway."

Men giving up seats for women was expected in 1955. Now that women can work outside the home, they can stand on the train. You can't have it both ways.

Who asked for special treatment here, Ralph? But thanks for the same tired lines...

heh heh heh... not this conversation again.

I guess it is old-fashioned thinking, but I still get up for women and open doors, etc. Hopefully someone appreciates it.

I gave my seat to a MAN today Ralph. Does that make you feel better. Actually, I got up the stop before I needed to because someone was going to sit in the empty seat next to me and I didn't want to make them get up again a minute later. It happened to be a man.

It's not old-fashioned, it's called being a decent human being.

People, people...here's the thing. Just give your seat to people WHO LOOK LIKE THEY NEED IT MORE THAN YOU. Don't explain why, don't worry. Fitness, looking tired, carrying lots of things...these are all what to check for. Gender is immaterial, as is age. Need is the only thing you should be thinking about. Everything else will take care of itself.

adam--I appreciate it when I get it. I try to make sure my gratitude is expressed, that I'm not taking the gesture for granted.

Agreed with Flynn! Speaking as a 30-something woman, when I was suffering last fall from a (non-contagious)illness & taking the crowded train to a Doctors appointment at Rush, an older WOMAN gave up her seat for me! I was surprised, and at first I politely declined, but she insisted, telling me that she could see I needed to sit down (I did, I was very weak & must have looked like hell). I was so touched by this act of kindness, I had to fight back tears. I will never forget this.

I'll give up my seat to ANYONE who needs it.

Simply because you're a woman doesn't mean you need it.