rajagainstthemachine wrote:I have witnessed a few such flare-ups' in buses here. One grumpy old man screamed at me cause I offered him a seat, he said he was physically fit and didn't need a seat, so much for showing elderly people some kindness.
Have never seen an elderly person do this, but can imagine it happening.
It is sad that some people can be so rude, worse yet when you're trying to be polite.
Seems silly to be so resentful, turning to hostility instead of using humour, which would actually get their point across more effectively.
Don't let it stop you from showing kindness to others.
rajagainstthemachine wrote:on a side note: why do people hesitate to occupy seats in which one faces another? People go out of the way to avoid such seats cause they don't want to make eye contact with a stranger.
It's quite natural to avoid making direct eye contact with strangers.
It can disrupt one's thoughts and is essentially giving up control of the situation. Have found that a subtle smile followed by a quick glance away can help defuse the tension.
Curiously, had the exact opposite happen a few days ago.
Sat in a nearly empty coach.
A young lady sat 2 seats to right on the opposite side, then slid over, first one seat, then another to where she was directly opposite.
Must have been something about that seat- it certainly wasn't anything about me, as she was very aloof during the rest of the ride.
Must have annoyed her that I was already sitting in the seat opposite to where she wanted to sit.
rajagainstthemachine wrote:they also sit on the aisle seat leaving the window seat empty and sit in some guarding position wary of anyone wanting to occupy the window seat, it seems a bit uninviting and unfriendly and people tend to stand than sit next to such people.
Some find it troublesome to try get out from the window seat, so they sit in the aisle seat for an easier exit.
They also don't want to be bothered to get up to let someone else in.