Giving up seat for an "old bird"

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From the Daily Mail

Lulu, 70, asks why nobody gave 'this old bird' a seat on the Tube after she had to stand in a packed carriage on the way to perform at The O2

Thanks to her gruelling tour with Take That, she is still in fantastic shape.

And it’s lucky Lulu is still fit and well at 70, as she admitted that she was forced to stand in a packed tube carriage as no one offered her their seat.

The singer, who turns 71 in November, posted a photograph of herself taking the London underground on the way to perform at the O2 arena on Tuesday.

snip

Youthful: The ageless star has previously revealed the secret behind her youthful complexion, saying less is more when it comes to makeup

She also said it was important to have a proper skincare routine, ensuring you properly cleanse your face and exfoliate once a week.

Strikes me that Lulu has gone to a lot of trouble to look young ... then the article is having a grumble that no-one gave up a seat to her because she looks old. Bit of a dual standard?

[Phil]

I have to confess I no longer give up my seat for any woman - old, young, pregnant or disabled. Having once received loud, public abuse for allegedly being condescending and a typical bloody man and all manner of completely inappropriate bollocks, when I in all innocence offered a woman a hand with her heavy luggage, I learned my lesson very well, thank-you. I now keep my nose down and ignore eye contact altogether.

[Bmblbzzz]

I thought an "old bird" was slang for a prisoner serving a long sentence?

[Ralph Ayres]

I have to confess I no longer give up my seat for any woman - old, young, pregnant or disabled. Having once received loud, public abuse for allegedly being condescending and a typical bloody man and all manner of completely inappropriate bollocks, when I in all innocence offered a woman a hand with her heavy luggage, I learned my lesson very well, thank-you. I now keep my nose down and ignore eye contact altogether.

It seems rather a shame to assume everyone will react like that based on one poor experience. Surely there have been other times when an offer of help or a seat has been gratefully accepted, or politely turned down?  I certainly see it a lot in London. I tend to offer a careful choice along the lines of - "Would you like some help or are you okay?"

[TaplowGreen]

I have to confess I no longer give up my seat for any woman - old, young, pregnant or disabled. Having once received loud, public abuse for allegedly being condescending and a typical bloody man and all manner of completely inappropriate bollocks, when I in all innocence offered a woman a hand with her heavy luggage, I learned my lesson very well, thank-you. I now keep my nose down and ignore eye contact altogether.

Never lower your own standards simply because others have lowered theirs.

[CyclingSid]

I understand where Phil is coming from. Have also had abuse for trying to be helpful. Does tend to make you reluctant to offer in future.

[grahame]

I understand where Phil is coming from. Have also had abuse for trying to be helpful. Does tend to make you reluctant to offer in future.

Coming at it from the opposite side of the fence, I'll admit to being somewhat shocked when someone offered me their seat.   I know I'm getting on a bit and wobbly ... but I was still rather shocked, and hope I wasn't offhand or rude in my "thank you but no thank you".   But it *is* good that people ask ...

[JayMac]

Non-story really.

Makes you wanna shout.

[Clan Line]

I have to confess I no longer give up my seat for any woman - old, young, pregnant or disabled. Having once received loud, public abuse for allegedly being condescending and a typical bloody man and all manner of completely inappropriate bollocks, when I in all innocence offered a woman a hand with her heavy luggage, I learned my lesson very well, thank-you. I now keep my nose down and ignore eye contact altogether.

I doff my hat to militant feminists - it really annoys them !!!!!

[Godfrey Tables]

That's why I think TFLs^▸ (Transport for London) "Baby on board" badges are a great idea. I too have had abuse in the past so use caution, but if someone is wearing one of these badges you know you're safe to offer. I'll also offer a seat to those with walking aids because if they then got abusive at being offered they'd just end up making themselves look a bit silly.

[LiskeardRich]

I don’t think my boss would like me giving my seat up on the bus   

[Henry]

 Remember catching an 'off-peak' bus from Teignmouth to Dawlish a few years back.
 Full with 'mature customers', I was quite happy to stand.
 The Driver casually remarked, ''You're the only one on the bus that's bought a ticket''.

[LiskeardRich]

 Remember catching an 'off-peak' bus from Teignmouth to Dawlish a few years back.
 Full with 'mature customers', I was quite happy to stand.
 The Driver casually remarked, ''You're the only one on the bus that's bought a ticket''.

Sounds about right.

[chuffed]

Would like to see grahame taking Isambird Kingdom Brunowl on a bus !

[grahame]

Would like to see grahame taking Isambird Kingdom Brunowl on a bus !

He has plans