About two months ago, I was convinced chivalry had actually died. One very cold morning, I arrived at my train stop feeling especially icky and heartburny. At the stop where I get on, sometimes there is a seat, but usually I have to wait until the mass exodus at Belmont two stops later and I can generally find a place to sit.
On this morning, it wasn't too crowded but there weren't any seats. I don't like demanding special treatment or anything, so I just waited for Belmont and figured I would sit at that point.
Whelp, when we pulled up at Belmont a dude who was in his late 20s (maybe early 30s) beelined for the one seat in my vicinity. His actions annoyed me because he didn't even look around to see if there was anyone that could actually use that seat. So I decided to approach him.
"Excuse me, I'm sorry but I'm pregnant and I'd really love to sit down," I said to him ever so politely. His response? He looked me up and down and said: "Really?"
Well, that didn't go over well with me.
"Yes, really," I said. "Would you like me to unzip my coat and show you my belly or what?" Meanwhile, the fellow next to him was appalled and told me I'm welcome to sit in his seat. I thanked him and noticed another seat opened up across the aisle and up a little bit, which I beelined for instead. There was no WAY I was sitting by the jerk who made no move to get his able-bodied butt up when I politely asked for a seat.
As I angrily took my seat across the way, I heard the nice man telling the jerk, "Dude you should stand up when someone asks you no matter what that reason is." The jerk did not look shamed at all, and merely plugged his earphones in and went about his train ride in the comfort of a seat.
After that incident, I never wanted to ask anyone to get up ever again. I mean my blood was boiling with that response. That's fine if you want to roll your eyes and sigh heavily as you begrudgingly get up, but to look at me and say "really," that takes a real piece of work.
Anyway, about two weeks ago I had my first unsolicited offer to sit. I was feeling pretty spritely that day so I refused but thanked him very much, and felt better about humanity yet again. Then, this morning, I had another gentleman glance at my stomach and ask if I'd like to sit down. This time I took him up on the offer. Granted he stood awkwardly above me the whole train ride, but at least I had a seat and a good book.
Once it gets slightly warmer (and my stomach gets even bigger) I'd like to see if these offers increase. I can't say I'll take them every time, but I like to think that the reason no one offers right now is because they can't see what's going on under my piles of winter clothing.
Another interesting question I have is how many times Jeff has gotten up for a pregnant lady on the train, and if this number has increased since our journey began. Hmmm.
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