Travelling on the London underground one Sunday afternoon recently, my 80-year-old husband and I (76) got into a very crowded carriage of mainly young people who were all wearing wrist bands from an event. One woman immediately got up to offer me her seat, which I gratefully accepted (Letters, 15 September). Opposite me were a young couple, and he was occupying the priority seat. Both happily sat there, with my husband right next to them holding tight to the rails. When I got chatting to the women next to me it turned out they’d all attended a big event about gyms, fitness and gymwear.
I wish I’d had the courage to ask the young man to give up his seat. A pity he felt that he, a gym bunny who was obviously proud of his physique, had priority over a rather frail elderly man. I guess we should be thankful that some people are aware and considerate of others. And maybe we need to challenge those who aren’t.
Holly Anderson
Cambridge
• In 2002 I cracked a bone in my ankle and for some weeks hobbled around using a stick and with my ankle swathed in support bandages. In this state I travelled daily on the tube in London during the rush hour for four weeks. Only once during this period did anyone offer me their seat: a young woman who was heavily pregnant. She didn’t seem offended when I suggested that her need for a seat was probably greater than mine.
Laurence Gibson
Stowe, Buckinghamshire
• I’d suggest that it’s a broader issue than young people not giving up seats on public transport. Recently, while waiting at an airport baggage carousel, I twice had to help elderly ladies lift their suitcases off the belt even though we were surrounded by men all aged under 40. I thought that seeing me, a 63-year-old woman, helping the first lady would encourage them to help the second one, but that was not the case. However, they weren’t oblivious to the situation because I overheard them commenting on “the old girl travelling alone”.
Peggy Sellers
Pickering, North Yorkshire
