Young Adult Refuses To Give Up Her Seat To ‘Entitled’ Elderly Woman & Receives Praise

Jul 03, 2023

In the past few years, younger generations, including Millennials and Gen Z, have been commonly dubbed by older generations to be entitled, selfish and disrespectful. This notion that these younger people are most often to think more about themselves rather than their elders has been perpetuated by many people throughout the media and in personal accounts. 

While many would argue that these younger generations are empowered rather than being entitled, a lot of people that belong to the older generations are still unaware and misinformed about how power dynamics work in today’s society.  

An example of this is letting an "older person" get all the comfort and convenience at the expense of a “younger person” because of how the former was the first here and how they impose that being older automatically begets respect. To put it simply, a Reddit user experienced being called “rude” and “disrespectful” after she refused to let an elderly woman take her “assigned” seat on the bus. 

Taking her frustrations to Reddit, the Original Poster (OP), a 22-year-old female, who according to Beresford Research, is classified as Gen Z, wondered if she was wrong for refusing to give up her bus seat for an elderly woman. 

“Since I can't avoid taking the bus given that is the only way I can get to college from my house, I have found certain ways to cope with that,” OP explained. “For example, a always take a pill to prevent me from throwing up 30 minutes prior (to) departure, I always wear a mask, I always keep a plastic bag close in case I have to use it and I always reserve a window seat close to the door.” 

But as OP had to take the bus again one time, she was confronted with a rather difficult situation. 

OP revealed that because she felt nauseous and physically sick when on the bus, she had to do certain things to avoid being hassled by its effect on her body.

Elaborating her story to the thread, OP revealed that she had to take the bus for a 6-hour trip. 

“When I get to my seat I noticed it's occupied by a woman probably I'm her late 70's. I am socially awkward so I was nice as I could be I explained to her that that was my seat, I had reserved the window and she had the aisle. She said sorry, she thought it was hers and moved. Everything was fine after that, or so I thought,” she explained.

However, shortly after, a woman whom she thought accompanied the old lady confronted her and told her that she should have just let the old lady take the window seat since the bus was closed anyway, and there wouldn’t be any difference. 

The accompanying woman also told OP that the old lady “really liked the window seat and it didn't suppose any effort from me to give it up.” In response, OP explained how she needed the seat as much as the lady liked it and even told her that she should have reserved a window seat if she liked sitting there in the first place. 

“Apparently this was viewed as rude and she went on and on about how young people are disrespectful towards the elderly and stuff like that. I ignored it and proceeded to continue the trip on my seat,” she went on to conclude her story. 

However, OP still felt like she was in the wrong for doing so; but Redditors took to the comments to affirm her, and even praised her for standing up for herself.

Many users took to the comment section and discussed how older people are much more “entitled” as opposed to younger people being branded as such. 

“I just love how millennials are depicted as the entitled generation when Boomers throw more public tantrums than most toddlers. You're entitled because you want to sit in the seat you purchased and planned accordingly for. Absolutely priceless. NTA,” a user wrote. 

“NTA and age doesnt entitle you to other peoples stuff. Besides if the seats didnt matter why did the woman need it. If seat reservations are a thing then she was the AH for not reserving it and then just taking it,” another commented. 

Others even pointed out that it was well within OP’s right to refuse to give up the seat because she bought it in the first place. 

“NTA - It was. your seat that you had reserved. Frankly, you don't have to have a good reason for wanting the seat you paid for. But, it just so happens that you do. Don't feel badly about taking care of yourself,” one reminded.

“NTA. I can’t think of a situation where I’d side with a person in reserved seating that is in the wrong seat. You reserved it, paid for it…it is yours. Period,” someone said. 

Some even said that it would be more inconvenient and hassle for the old lady if OP had puked beside them. 

“Nta I bet she would have been less pleased had you vomited on her,” someone joked. 

“NTA... just tell her that without the window seat, you will likely spend the ride vomiting and this would be inconsiderate to those around you that have to smell and hear it,” a Redditor posted. 

Do you think OP was in the wrong for refusing to give up her seat? Who do you think is more entitled – the younger generation or the older ones? What would you have done if you were in OP’s shoes? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other loved ones to know what they think!