A Redditor thought it was right to place her bags on an empty seat, even if the bus was already crowded. She argued that if someone wanted to sit, they should ask her straightforwardly.
Daily Commuter
OP (Original Poster) is a 19-year-old woman who lives in the United States. She said she rides the bus because she “can’t afford a car, insurance, gas, etc.”
Riding a Near-Empty Bus
She said that a few days before posting this story, she was riding a near-empty bus. OP shared, “Not empty, but there were multiple unused seats, and no one had to stand.”
Taking up Two Seats
OP had heavy bags to carry because she had just gone grocery shopping. She said the bags were too big and hardly fit between her legs.
So, she took up two seats on the bus by placing one of the bags on the empty seat beside her. She didn’t see an issue with putting her stuff on an empty seat since not many people were on the bus, and her arms were getting tired.
People Kept Piling Up
Her bus ride was long; therefore, as it went on, more and more people got on the bus.
She said, “It eventually got pretty crowded to the point where some people had to stand up.”
Finding an Excuse
OP said she didn’t attempt to move her bags because, in her experience, people didn’t want to sit beside strangers anyway.
OP shared, “A lot of the time, people will end up standing instead of sitting in an empty seat next to someone they don’t know.” She said no one mentioned anything to her either.
Frustrated Passengers
They finally reached the last stop, and everyone was getting off. One of the passengers who passed her told her passive-aggressively, “You could have moved your bag and not been inconsiderate and rude. Everyone wants to sit, not just you.”
OP didn’t respond because she didn’t know what to say.
They Should Have Asked
OP tried to explain herself in the post and said that if the person who spoke to her or any other passenger told her to move her things, she “probably would have.”
She said she didn’t understand how her actions came across as “rude.”
I Didn’t Do Anything Wrong
She reiterated that other passengers should have asked her instead of “insulting” her after the ride. OP also mentioned, “Buses are also generally first come, first serve, so I think my behavior was normal.”
Redditors’ Thoughts and Reactions
Redditors told OP that what she did was wrong. One even stated that he thought OP wasn’t moving her stuff because of a creep on the bus.
He wrote, “I really thought it would be another one where some creep made her move her bags when there were empty seats because he wanted to sit next to the young girl. Nope. As soon as the bus fills up, you move your stuff. You might rather stand, but many people would way rather sit.”
Seats Are for People!
The community reminded OP that seats are for people—not for stuff.
One said, “Seats are for your a**! As a full-time bus rider, if you aren’t sitting in the seat, get the f**k up and let someone else sit there.”
Basic Bus Etiquette
Some Redditors also couldn’t believe OP lacked the common sense or common courtesy to move her bags.
“I can’t fathom not knowing basic bus etiquette and basic human decency of a human taking precedence over your damn shopping. What the hell, OP? You’re the a**hole, obviously,” wrote one user. Another said, “You’re the a**hole. They shouldn’t have to ask you. Common courtesy is amazing when applied in everyday life.”
We Don’t Believe You
A couple of Redditors thought OP wasn’t sincere about moving her bags if someone asked her to.
A commenter wrote, “Judging by this post, she seems like she’d be the type to roll her eyes and huff if someone did end up asking for the seat.” Then one replied, “No, no. If someone had asked her to move her stuff, she ‘probably’ would have! You’re a real peach, OP.”
It’s the Polite Thing to Do
Redditors also reminded OP that, in whatever situation, never assume that people don’t want to sit. She should have asked them before deciding for herself.
A user shared, “You’re the a**hole. Once people have to stand, it’s just polite to move your bags so people can choose to sit. Put your bags in your lap if you don’t have room in front of your feet. Do you really not understand that that’s the proper way to do things? It’s just being polite and considerate of other people.”
What Do You Have to Say?
What do you think of OP’s actions? Do you think she was being rude?
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This post first appeared as She Refused to Move Her Bags From an Empty Seat on a Crowded Bus. No One Asked Her To, but if Someone Did, She “Probably Would Have.” on Quote Ambition.
