Should men give up their seats to women on the Tube?
Journalist Ed Cumming certainly thinks so, telling Subway Takes’ Kareem Rahma: ‘Men should not sit down… it’s weak, you look pathetic. There’s a lot of other people who need that seat more than you.’
Although he caveats that his rule doesn’t apply to those with disabilities, in his view, every ‘reasonably fit’ man should ‘let people more deserving than you have a chair.’
As expected, the response was mixed, with some saying it was the ‘all time best take’, while others called it ‘ridiculous’ and ‘inadvertently misogynistic’.
To stand or not to stand is a debate that has plagued the TFL network for years, with many men wondering whether offering a seat will be interpreted as a kindness or an insult.
History will tell you it’s what ‘gentlemen’ should do, but given this term originated in the medieval period, perhaps it’s an outdated expectation. And if we’re meant to be equal, does a woman deserve a seat any more than a man?
To answer the question, Metro asked members of the public to weigh in. Here’s what they said…
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Yes… Men should give up their seat
First up is 25-year-old Ryan who believes that yes, men should give up their seat for a woman on the train.
He tells Metro: ‘Its all about kindness. Women experience misogyny and inequality, so it’s important to demonstrate acts of kindness towards women as a man, because I recognise not all men behave appropriately.
‘When I get the opportunity to act generously, I take that opportunity to give up my seat because not all men would. It stops that woman having to stand in the middle of the Tube.’
Dean Blackstock, 44, agreed, saying: ‘It’s a 100% yes from me. In today’s age perhaps chivalry isn’t the right word, but politeness definitely is. I don’t see anything wrong in offering a seat to a woman in a busy train carriage.
‘If she chooses to stand at least the offer has been given and it’s her choice. If no-one makes the first move, you both lose, so why not be polite, offer a seat and potentially make someone’s day a little brighter!’
It’s not just the men who think offering a seat should be the done thing – some women do too.
Eimear Draper, 42 explains: ‘I’m a proud feminist t-shirt wearer and I still believe that they should. We can have old fashioned etiquette and still have equal pay.
‘Men are physically stronger in most cases, while women can be struggling with unseen pain… Periods, first trimester pregnancy, cesarean wounds.
‘During my pregnancy even with a bump and a baby on board badge I mostly had to ask people to give me their seat, and after a bad experience with a man I mostly asked women. It’s just polite.’
Louisa Guise added: ‘There shouldn’t be a mandate that men give up their seats for women full stop, but it does speak to their character if they do.
‘Women are more likely to use public transport to go about their day to do chores, whereas men are more likely just to have a straight journey to and from work, which is an argument for women getting priority.’
No… Men shouldn’t give up their seat
But there are plenty of people in the opposing camp too, in fact, our responses saw an even split.
Polly Arrowsmith, 58, tells Metro she never expects a man to give up a seat to someone just because they’re a woman.
‘Occasionally, a young man will give up his seat or offer me his seat, and I always say no if offered,’ she says. ‘I’m very grateful for it, but also uncomfortable, as I’m still fit and healthy.’
Susan Bonnar agreed, saying: ‘I see no biological reason why a 25-year-old guy should give up his seat for a 25-year-old girl! If we want gender equality this has to become a thing of the past. Offering the seat based on gender implies women are the weaker sex.’
Jenny Obrien, 60, explains: ‘My friend, in her forties, was most disgruntled at a man offering her his seat on the Tube. Yes, she’s decided to let her hair go grey but it’s a pixie cut and she looks amazing. He was significantly older than she was.’
Kyley Seal Dickinson even said she’d feel offended if she was offered a seat, assuming its because people think she’s pregnant.
Other news on the London Underground
The pregnancy debate…
Mothers-to-be experience nausea, dizziness and exhaustion – not to mention the anxiety of having your bump knocked in rush hour. But for some, this isn’t a good enough reason to offer a priority seat.
TikToker Mona Mali posted her experience being heavily pregnant and no men giving up the priority seats they were sat in – and it went viral.
However the comments said: ‘Chill, I just got off a 13 hours shift, I’m going to sit, sorry’ and ‘No one owes you a seat’.
Another pregnant woman (@s.cxox) shared a similar video and the comments were even worse.
‘Should’ve banged a dude with a car,’ one read, while another added: ‘Sorry but was I the one who decided you should have kids?’
Should men give up seats for women on the Tube?
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An even split…
Unfortunately it seems society is split when it comes to whether a man should or shouldn’t sit on the Tube, so we don’t have a concrete answer for you.
There’s also a lack of respect for the priority seat – a seat which should always be given up for those less able to stand, such as those who are pregnant, elderly or disabled.
Even this etiquette for both men and women however, seems to have died.
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The Getaway Expert
Your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro’s resident travel expert, Alice Murphy.
