I must admit, I truly enjoy your closing statement Ali!

But I do agree with mamaluv, and that is not just because I am biased to my hometown. But when I rode public transit to and from school, I did see many people give up seats for pregnant ladies and (usually) the elderly. I usually sat in the back, so normally I did not give up my seat. My dad is a transit driver in Winnipeg and has mentioned on many occasions that an elderly person, pregnant lady, or someone with a disability has gotten on the bus and when no one gives up their seat, he has to ask that someone does. And most do without any hesitation. That could be because, as you say, the passengers are caught up in their own world which I do think is the case most of the time. At least I like to think it's that reason and not because they are just inconsiderate!

Embrace those parking spots! I plan to when I'm pregnant!

Since I wrote this, 2 other people have offered their seat -which I truly appreciated. 2 out of 3 times it has been a woman under 35. I agree showing gratitude is extremely important. I can't imagine anyone not being thankful for someone giving up their seat.

Still I think most people can't be bothered. I actually believe most people are kind hearted and that they just don't notice but I think you need to be a bit more aware when you ride public transit. I myself have spent many commutes playing angry birds and probably oblivious to others who could use my seat. It's just something you have to be conscious of.

@mamaluv re the expectant parking spot - I'm 6 1/2 months along but some people still can't tell unless I'm wearing something fitted. I think we have to not assume that because we can't see the size of a person's belly that they aren't far along. Everyone carries differently. I am one of those people using those spots when they are free. When else in life can I park there?

@Cathy - I love that you said you keep the seat open for people who turn down your offer! I did that once and immediately after the person refused my recently vacated seat, some punk teenager claimed it and promptly went to sleep. The nerve!

Since that time I will usually sit back down again and wait for the next person who might need the spot so I can offer it to him/her. Like Becky said, at least my seat WILL be made available for someone who needs it instead of being claimed by inconsiderate people.

I'll always give up my seat when an elderly, pregnant, or injured person is standing on transit. Although I must say I've been turned down quite a bit -- mostly by elderly people -- who insist on standing. In this case, I'd still leave the seat empty so that they have the option (in case they declined out of pride -- or denial that they need it!)

Expecting Moms: Have you ever asked someone to give up their seat and been turned down???

I do agree with what Mamaluv said about showing appreciation when someone
gives up their seat to you. If I'm being courteous to you, I'd like that same courtesy in return - all it takes is a smile. I also don't like being pushed out of the
way, this happens far too often when someone is scrambling for a seat (although if people in general were more willing to give up their seats, this scrambling wouldn't happen). Just because you need to get to a seat on the other side of where I'm standing, does not give you
permission to manhandle me. All you have to do is say "excuse me" and
I'll be happy to move out of the way.

Re: Baby on Board pins (and also the "expectant parents" parking spaces)

When you are showing and therefore actually subject to some of the aches and pains that Ali talked about due to spine alignment and muscle tension, then by all means you should be afforded extra courtesy.

However, those newly pregnant have none of these issues and while I truly and sincerely do not wish to downplay the wretchedness that is Morning Sickness (or as I called it "All Day Sickness"), it bothers me too to see women who have no apparent malaise claiming their preggie rights over the 3rd trimester mamas who need these considerations much more.

I know someone who has a disabled parent living at their home and got the handicap sticker/hanger for their car. They often go out without Gramps and still claim the handicap parking spots like their birthright. So many people have such an entitlement complex!

P.s. speaking of selfish obliviousness, whats up with people not looking to see who they hit when they swing their huge bag onto their shoulder? Or those taller-than-me people who come and try to stand exactly where I'm standing, or move into me as if I'm not even there? Hello people, there's a person standing here! Regarless of how short I am, I'm definitely not invisible!! I wish when using the public transit, people would try to be more courteous and realize that there are others standing around them. Keep bags and elbows as close to the body as possible, and look where you're going so you don't step on someone smaller than you.. sheesh

I guess it can really depend on where you live? When I was pregnant (and admittedly this was a couple of years ago now) and living in Winnipeg, I was always offered a seat - usually 2 or 3 people would jump up and offer me one. I think I recall one time when the bus driver yelled at someone for not offering a seat (it wasn't on my behalf, it was for an elderly person). In fact, while I was pregnant (in Winnipeg) I never had to carry groceries or open doors for myself, and sometimes was offered to jump the line at the grocery store even if I had a cartful and the other shoppers had just a basket or two.

Having experienced this level of kindness, I purposely go out of my way to try to pay it forward. We were at the park the other day and we gave up our bench to an older man with a cane. He was very gracious in his acceptance.

I think this is the other key to the problem: when you are offered a seat or to jump the line, it's so important to make sure the other person sees your gratitude. I know most of us are well-bred enough to know this automatically, so it's really discouraging when some boor accepts your kind offer with no more than a self-approving sniff.

You've nailed one of my pet peeves. I actually look around the first half of the streetcar and try to find the youngest person, and ask them to get up. I try to ask nicely, but I'm sure I'm the nasty woman on the streetcar that keeps making people get up. Sometimes when I get on the streetcar and no elderly or priority seating people are standing, I sit in one of the priority seating seats just so I can get up and give it to someone who needs it.

Are people really oblivious or do they just avoid eye contact so they can keep their comfy seats? hmmm......

Hmmm, I had the same happened when I broke my foot. For most part I would commute by taxis, but when I felt ready to take the subway, with my cast off, but still with both crutches, I had maybe 1-2 people offering me a seat for the whole 2 weeks.

On the other hand though, I hate seeing those girls who are clearly not pregnant wearing those "Baby on board" pins, and expecting people to give their seats to them. I mean come on, you are not even pregnant, you just found that button and wear it to take advantage of it.

Oh my gosh Ali, that is SO sad... I have definitely given up my seat to expecting mothers and elderly people. I do often feel like I am the only one that offers when it does happen though, and I just think to myself, "what's wrong with you people?" Especially when it's a mommy with a stroller and another on the way, I seriously want to make the whole row of people move so she can sit with her stroller comfortably beside her and not feel like she's blocking everyone.
It's not just giving up seats, it's also just simple things like helping someone get their stroller out a door way, or when people get their bags stuck in a closing door, or even holding a door open for a tiny second longer so it doesn't slam on the person behind you. What goes around, comes around!
If this is how it is now... what's it going to be like when I finally get pregnant or even when I'm old?!