Should men give women seats on the tube? Have your say

The answers may surprise you… (Picture: Getty Images/Westend61)

Should men give up their seats to women on the tube?

It’s a debate that plagues the TFL network, leaving us wondering if offering a seat will be interpreted as a kindness or an insult.

History will tell you it’s what ‘gentlemen’ should do. Although given the term gentleman originated in the medieval period, perhaps it’s an outdated expectation. 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…

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.

Young man in formal attire on a business trip in London, UK. (Credits: Getty Images)

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.

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.

It seems some men and woman don’t think pregnant women should be allowed the priority seat (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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?’

An even split…

Unfortunately it seems society is split when it comes to whether a man should or shouldn’t give up his seat, 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 e.g. pregnant, elderly or disabled.

Even this etiquette for both men and women, seems to have died.

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