Have Those Days Gone.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2464452/Heavily-pregnant-minister-Jo-Swinson-forced-stand-PMQs.html

Were the MPs right or wrong not to offer this pregnant MP their seat?

Even though I belong to the old school which still believes that the more able person should stand for those who don't appear to be able to stand for long, and the male of the species should hold the door open for the female. one has to be so careful these days that one doesn't offend.

Most would accept willingly whereas others will not and make sure that one knows they are offended.

[boxtops]

I'd offer a seat to a pregnant woman, same as I would to an infirm person. It's decency. I do agree with you though - I've seen some men rebuffed when they offer their seat to a female on the bus.

[emmie]

would have been courteous to offer her a seat, not sexist, just polite

[Gromit]

Bit of a none story.

Pregnant women can and do stand up.

If she gets to a stage where she cannot, she has a tongue in her head and can ask someone to give up a seat.

[emmie]

that is not the point, the heading gives it away. Are these days gone?
yes is the answer, without sounding like a member of the Archers, back in my mums day, and indeed as i grew up, heavily pregnant women, the frail and elderly were not expected to stand on public transport, a seat would be offered, and usually taken, with a thank you tacked on. I have seen elderly, infirm get no help, made to totter down a packed bus whilst the able bodied men and women sat and chatted. I am struggling myself these days, and sometimes i wonder at some people's common sense and compassion.

[hc4361]

Ridiculous story - she wasn't 'forced' to stand. She may have been sitting all day and preferred to stand; she may have piles.

[emmie]

but you don't know that, and besides wouldn't it be nice if someone had offered her a seat, she may have said no that's ok, then fine, but at least be a little considerate.

[boxtops]

Sadly I know guys who have offered their seat in the past, only to be met with vitriol because said female thought they were being sexist and patronising. I don't blame them not offering, sometimes.

[Gromit]

"Do you need help packing your shopping bag?"

"No I fecking don't you patronising Lady!"

Yes, times have changed.

[hc4361]

My response to that, Gromit - I do apologise for offending you, madam. I mistook you for a lady

[hc4361]

Emmie, did you read the article? She slipped in to the room late. Those seated had their backs to her. She had to leave early. If she had wanted or needed a seat she would have asked.

[baza]

if she had been standing up in the first place she would not be preggers now, urban myth.
i think a gent or able bodied lady should at least offered her a seat.

[Gromit]

Hc,

I didn't type 'lady'.

The AB filter changed it and killed it.

[emmie]

some men seem incapable of packing their own shopping, letting the woman, girl on the till do it, they are not stupid, nor disabled, so why don't they pack their own bloody shopping.

[hc4361]

Just as some women seem incapable of changing the car's wheel or cleaning out the guttering.

[LazyGun]

@emmie "some men seem incapable of packing their own shopping, letting the woman, girl on the till do it, they are not stupid, nor disabled, so why don't they pack their own bloody shopping"

Some women seem incapable of packing their own shopping, letting the woman, girl or boy,man on the till do it, they are not stupid, nor disabled, so why don't they pack their own bloody shopping?

[AB Editor]

"some men seem incapable of packing their own shopping, letting the woman, girl on the till do it, they are not stupid, nor disabled, so why don't they pack their own bloody shopping."

I've noticed it's a service being offered more and more regularly - I don't think it's a gender issue! If they start doing it without any prompting I let them get on with it.

[baza]

I always place my basket with the heavy items nearest the cashier, I can then place them in the bottom of my bag, why does the stupid woman lean over and pick up the lighter stuff?

[pixie373]

We can all pack our own bloody shopping. But sometimes it's nice to have a hand. I don't see why courtesy is patronising, either. I agree with boxy that if you say the wrong thing to someone with a "chip on their shoulder" , you might get a rude response. You can't win 'em all.

[sp1814]

I have lived in London all my life and taken buses and tubes all over the place.

I have not seen a decline in the number of men who offer their seats to pregnant women, and I really do take exception to this notion that there are hordes of women who will lambast you with vitriol if you so dared offer them a seat.

That simply isn't true. It's a bit of anti-feminist clap-trap.

The only time you might get a mouthful is when you mistakenly offer a fat woman your seat, thinking she's pregnant.

[pixie373]

Lol. Speaking from experience, sp?