Travelling on busy public modes of transport is never ideal, especially through the summer months as temperatures rise to uncomfortable levels. But things can turn even more awkward when disputes around seats flare up.
A woman took to Reddit to explain her recent encounter when she spotted an elderly woman sitting in her space. The 22-year-old said how she gets "really nauseous and physically sick" when travelling, reports the Mirror.
She explained that sitting by the window can alleviate some of her symptoms, so she always books ahead where possible. She said: "I hate traveling by bus. Since I can't avoid taking the bus given it's the only way I can get to college from my house, I have found certain ways to cope with that.
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"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. This method has worked in the past and I try to implement it every time I have to travel."
However, once on the bus, she spotted a woman in her 70s already in her seat. "I am socially awkward so as nice as I could, I explained to her that she was sitting in my seat - I had reserved the window and she had the aisle," she said.
"She said sorry, she thought it was hers and moved. Everything was fine after that, or so I thought." Once the bus arrived at its first stop, another passenger came and confronted her.
"She told me I should've just let her have the seat because the window was closed anyway (the bus had AC) so there wasn't any difference, that the lady really liked the window seat and it didn't suppose any effort from me to give it up," she wrote. "I told the woman I needed that seat as much as she did and if she wanted a window seat she should have reserved one like I did.
"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."
Dozens of people replied to the post, with most agreeing she did nothing wrong. One person said: "Age doesn't entitle you to other peoples' stuff. Besides if the seats didn't matter why did the woman need it.
"If seat reservations are a thing then she was the a***hole for not reserving it and then just taking it." Another wrote: "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. " A third user said: "If there's 'no difference' then why did the old lady 'like the window better'.
"You weren't rude and it was your seat. People do this on airplanes all the time. 'Oh I thought I had the window.....' No you have middle and no I won't switch."
