An incident on the tram

[Stick]

Today when I was catching the tram home something a bit out of the ordinary happened. This lady hopped on and immediately demanded that one of the students on the tram (the tram was basically full of students from my school) give up their seat for her. I've always been more than willing to proactively offer my seat to the elderly, the disabled, pregnant women or parents with young children should they require it. However, this lady did not fit any of these criteria - she was just a normal woman, who, to me, looked like she just wanted to sit down. I personally don't believe that what she did was very fair but a couple of students were just caught off guard and were shocked by it all and gave up their seat immediately for her. I started to think what I would do if someone similar demanded the same of me personally, but I wasn't too sure.

Was this woman's request reasonable, and what would you have done if you were put in that situation?

[Professor Polonsky]

Unless she had some kind of a disability, my response would be to tell her that she's got no right to demand that I get up, and ensure that at least my friends don't give up their seat for her. Depending on how irritated I am, I might even use some colourful language. Just being realistic here, haha.

[pi]

I've been told at school that student concession should always stand if a full-fare passenger or someone with special requirements (pregnant, disabled, elderly, mum with a pram, etc.) asked. Honestly don't mind following by that, and have done since yr7.

The way she asked was a bit rude though.

edit:typo

[Stick]

Unless she had some kind of a disability, my response would be to tell her that she's got no right to demand that I get up, and ensure that at least my friends don't give up their seat for her. Depending on how irritated I am, I might even use some colourful language. Just being realistic here, haha.

This woman didn't seem like someone who you'd want to escalate the situation with though. My first response was the same thing, but I'm not one for confrontation. :/

[Shenz0r]

What a r00d arse

[Professor Polonsky]

This woman didn't seem like someone who you'd want to escalate the situation with though. My first response was the same thing, but I'm not one for confrontation. :/

Yeah fair enough, then. If I wouldn't want to escalate the situation, I would just quietly refuse.

pi, after someone made that claim to me, I went through anything I could find on the internet (anything from legislation to ticket terms & conditions and the Authorised Officers guidelines) and could find nothing which states that a concession passenger should stand up for a full-fee paying one. In fact, that would probably even be illegal to enforce - as well as have the implication that war veterans have to stand up for young adults.

[Thu Thu Train]

I've been told at school at student concession should always stand if a full-fare passenger or someone with special requirements (pregnant, disabled, elderly, mum with a pram, etc.) asked. Honestly don't mind following by that, and have done since yr7.

The way she asked was a bit rude though.

I've been told this too. I highly doubt she was aware of this though.

[Sach1_K]

Yeah we have to stand up.
 You could all stand up and make her feel guilty.
You see the most weirdest ppl on public transport. You should check the video on YouTube about people on train unite or something can't remember. But basically this person is being racist to this random dude and the whole carriage just defends the random dude. (Craigieburn line)

[availn]

This happened once on the train, when I wasn't there. Someone demanded a seat, but one very well versed student just argued it out. He acknowledged that he is obliged to give his seat (if you're on concession, you actually have to give seats to any full-fare iirc), but argued that he shouldn't have to, because though he is paying less for the transport, it is because he is a student who cannot work full time, or something of the like. Most people just back down if they are countered, but they will always give your school a ring, as no one can talk back to them then. Just be careful that you have a good standing with the school, which I'm sure you do Stick

[Professor Polonsky]

Yeah we have to stand up.

[citation needed]

I highly doubt that this is true. Find me once source which says so. It's flat-out age-discrimination - do all under 16's have to stand? How about those on other types of concession, like a health care card or being a war veteran? If this is something specific to those on student concession cards, then it should say so somewhere when you apply for them. Or anywhere.

[Stick]

One could also argue that a student might have the right over an ordinary passenger not only on the principle of the matter, but also due to the heavy backpacks we have to carry around. At my school we were never told to offer our seats up to ordinary full-fee commuters.

[Sach1_K]

[citation needed]

I highly doubt that this is true. Find me once source which says so.

You misunderstood me sorry. MHS tells you to stand up for people for the school reputation etc.

[Jayward]

Yeah we have to stand up.
 You could all stand up and make her feel guilty.
You see the most weirdest ppl on public transport. You should check the video on YouTube about people on train unite or something can't remember. But basically this person is being racist to this random dude and the whole carriage just defends the random dude. (Craigieburn line)

a flagrant display of bigotry... sad

[Professor Polonsky]

You misunderstood me sorry. MHS tells you to stand up for people for the school reputation etc.

Oh, sorry. My bad.

[Charmz]

I think this lady sounds a bit rude. I don't see why anyone had to get up if she was perfectly capable of standing. I'd have just gotten up and given her the seat to avoid any hassle.