Livingston (Liv)

In mid May we spent 3 nights in Florence. One afternoon I (my wife stayed behind and shopped) caught the #7 bus from Santa Maria Novella station to Fiesole. This was a 30 minute ride traveling through busy Florence and uphill to quiet Fiesole. The bus was half full when we started, but quickly filled to standing room only as we made our way across town. It was interesting and quite pleasing to see that none of the elderly ladies that boarded the bus had to stand as the young people immediately gave up their seats to them. These young people included both teenagers and young adults. This same extension of generousity was even extended on the return trip to Florence. It even encouraged me to give up my seat (I'm a 57 male) to an elderly lady at the first opportunity. Noticing this type of behavior from Florence's young people made the bus ride the most memorable event to Fiesole. I wish similar acts of respect to others could be shared throughout the world.

x

I find it hard to believe that you found this behaviour surprising. It's not common among the fine people of Hampton VA to give up their seats to the elderly? In my experience, this is universal behaviour and certainly nothing that would shock me into writing about it on Fodors. Did you really have to be inspired in order to give up your own seat? Shame on you!

egg

I've often seen it on the London tube.

xxx

X, You are reading too much into Livingston's comments. He probably doesn't take public transportation. So enough with the lecture.<BR><BR>For my part, I've noticed that people don't give up their seats to elderly on the Metro in Paris.

mark

to: x([email protected])<BR><BR>i believe it is you who is constantly critical of people posting messages on this website. mr. livingston wrote a wonderful message. consider my elderly aunts wanting to take a final trip of a lifetime to paris or florence. his message may help them consider a more (senior friendly) place to visit such as florence. <BR><BR>your rude comments may keep some people from asking important questions or sharing important stories.<BR><BR>remember you do not have to read these postings. your repressed anger and anonimity should be kept off this forum. <BR><BR>are you the moron that was critical of jim and camille?<BR><BR>mark

JOdy

A very nice story , Livingston. <BR><BR>It's nice to know that coutesy is still alive and well somewhere in the world..it certainly isn't where I live!

XXX

On behalf of all X's everywhere, I apologize.

Livingston (Liv)

To the anonymous "x([email protected]) of June 1 at 7:44 am: <BR>You've shared your opinion but, unlike me, you have neither shared your name, gender, age, or whether you live above or below the ground of our good planet earth. I'm afraid courtesy is not as common as it used to be either on the highway (have you heard of road rage wherever you live), work, schools (ask teachers wherever you live), and in shopping centers and other public areas. It is sometimes absent from the internet as others following your opinion on this same thread have acknowledged. Yes we have many fine people in Hampton, VA, but it was refreshing to see Florence's young school age kids without hesitation giving up their seats. There's no shame in my home town of Hampton, VA which is on the topside of planet earth. Where did you say you're from again?

tracy

Courtly politeness, respect, all admirable qualities are refreshing to see performed in such a ordinary way. We saw this in Amsterdam one year when moms with kids and groceries where assisted up and into our trolley, without pause, from the people standing closest to the door.

karl

We noticed on the tube in London,that no matter the age of the person in the seat,when an elderly person got on ,they got up immediately and gave them the seat.<BR>I fear that manners in the US are lacking a little in this way,as I never see such a thing on the trains and buses here.<BR>

aussie@aussie

It certainly does not happen in Australia - well Sydney anyway.