How Insulting!
By LilacFaye
@LilacFaye (204)
Philippines
May 31, 2011 7:03pm CST
When we were young, we were taught by our parents to watch our mouth, meaning, not to say harsh and bad words against other people. I wonder why some people, as they grow old, forget this teaching.
My staff and I were on our way to the university yesterday to enroll her for this coming semester. As the train stopped in front of us, we split up because I'm supposed to get to the part of the train where only pregnant, old and disabled persons are allowed. So as I enter, I noticed that there was no seat available and therefore decided to just stand up. But an old, fifty-ish man stood up, walked towards me and offered his seat which I graciously accepted since I'm pregnant and he looks like an energetic and very capable man. Seconds later, an older guy, two seats to my right, spoke up and pointed a finger at the pretty, young looking lady on the opposite side of the car, just in front of me.
He said in a loud voice, "You should get up, you are young and he is old." The lady looked surprise at the sudden attention.
Then he pointed at the guy who gave up his seat to me, "You are old, she should stand up! Sit over there!"
The guy replied, "No, I'm fine, thanks anyway."
The older guy insisted that the lady should be standing up instead. He kept blabbering how young people show no respect anymore to old people. So we all looked at the lady, and noticed that she was pregnant, only that she looks young. So some of the passengers told him, "She's pregnant."
"Pregnant?" He looked at her, "Pregnant? So young! Women nowadays get pregnant at such a young age! Why are they like that?"
The old lady to my left murmured to me, "Why is he like that, he keeps saying nasty things!"
You see, whatever he said is insulting to that lady. He should have observed first before he spoke harshly to her, and should have kept his mouth shut about her being pregnant. Though young looking, the lady could be about 22-24 years old, and she's just got off from her work, which I noticed, since she's wearing a company uniform. Of course the old guy must not have noticed it, he just kept blabbering about how women don't think twice about getting pregnant. That's really insulting!
2 people like this
10 responses
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
1 Jun 11
I have observed that some old people could really be like that. They complain at any thing that doesn't meet their standards. They rant when they feel like it and when you try to stop them from doing so, they would say that you don't respect their being elderly.
Well, in that particular case, it was nice for all of you to just keep silent about the ranting of the old man. At least you all did your best to respect him for his being old, though he really is soooo insulting!
1 person likes this
@yspmyl (3435)
• Malaysia
1 Jun 11
Most of the old people like to nag and since at first he though the lady doesn't want to give up her sit to someone older but he never notice that she is actually pregnant. After someone told him that the lady is pregnant, he have to find something else to keep his face, so he change his topic on why the young lady pregnant at the very young age.
Anyway, she had done nothing wrong to sat at the place sine she is pregnant and she is not wrong to get pregnant at the age of 22 to 24 as long as she is married.
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
1 Jun 11
It is frustrating when people start on a rant like that. For one thing, the man stood up for you, and I think it was a put down to him as well as to the young pregnant woman.If he felt capable of standing then that is where the conversation should have stopped. It sounds as if many in the train realized how very rude he was.
1 person likes this
@izziemint (94)
• Philippines
1 Jun 11
That old man is just to perfect maybe to say that he is right of his comments to that of the young lady thinking that he is older. Maybe, he is boosting in his ego that he is getting older and have lots of experiences. He should have not than that. He has no right to utter comments as he is in the public place where everyone is a stranger to all. Each person is entitled for a respect for it is painful to hear bad words from others without full realization from the one saying that he is totally wrong. Much more that he is a total stranger to that young woman, that adds up the hurt feelings that the latter should not have to.
1 person likes this
@ptower76 (1616)
• United States
1 Jun 11
lol, I thought i've seen everything since I've been riding the New York City subways for over 40 years. But I guess I have a long way to go. People can be so rude and mean. I guess its ignorance or egocentrism. One ignores people like that and try not to take what they say personally since they are strangers they cannot truly be criticizing the person per se. They probably have all kind of issues we will never understand. On a good day I would ignore someone like that. On a Bad day I would probably tell the man to mind his business.
1 person likes this
@RalphJacob (45)
• Philippines
2 Jun 11
LoL. Thats why I always keep quiet.
If only that older guy haven't done that, then those things wont happen. Besides, who is he to tell absolute strangers what to do.
But let us forgive him. Old people like that like young people to consult to them because they want to do something worthwhile in the nights of their life.
Also, old people's mind are weaker than us, maybe he doesnt mean it too you know
@bingskee (5234)
• Philippines
1 Jun 11
that man has no manners. wonder if it is part of him being an old man suffering from andropause. 
some people, too, tend to be judgmental and worse, they could not keep their mouths shut.
i do not know how i would react in that situation. recently, i had learned to zip my mouth unlike before where i would defend other people who just keep silent against a nasty person. it just won't work with this kinds of people to be told of about the truth and about manners. 
some people, too, tend to be judgmental and worse, they could not keep their mouths shut.
i do not know how i would react in that situation. recently, i had learned to zip my mouth unlike before where i would defend other people who just keep silent against a nasty person. it just won't work with this kinds of people to be told of about the truth and about manners. 
@SimpleBB (1329)
• Philippines
1 Jun 11
Actually, it's more insulting on his part. And probably, that's his way of defending himself for embarrassing moments as such.
He suddenly look at other's attitude, but what had happen is his attitude put on shame. And realizing that, he thinks of something to keep himself from shame. He diverted the focus of people from his harsh attitude the other situation to keep away people's attention from him. Defense mechanism.
You're right, such situation showed one's values. They never consider the circumstances and feelings of others.
You're right, we were given two eyes to observe, and two ears to listen more, and only one mouth to voice out our thoughts carefully. 
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
1 Jun 11
You can't just back that up with what our parents told us before, it's just not right. As we grow up, we get molded to who we are right now. Maybe that person had issues while he was growing up that's why he was like that.
@minomarimat (372)
• Philippines
1 Jun 11
That scene truly is insulting, as he just based on prejudice and nothing else. Young people makes mistakes, but then it's not a valid reason for one to judge them.
