UNKNOWN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 117, 19 May 1945, Page 4

UNKNOWN

If here Mid there onoappnoacfeed the gentlemen who travel on the Auckland trams*at rusiwperiods and politely inquired*if --they- weretgerrfiemen, they most® assuredly -would answer ''yes." Yet the facfc*remafns —and it is a very unpleasant fact— that few of our "gentle" men of Auckland show much consideration towards lady travellers. During busy periods it is the rule rather than the exception to see our gallant males heroically elbowing and straggling their way aboard a tram to the detriment of women passengers. Indeed, the behaviour of some men is nothing short of uncouth. Sometimes more chivalrous souls will stand aside, but theirs—l mean ours —is a diminishing minority. Too often have I seen a mother and child endeavouring to board a tram at busy times only to find herself among the "also rans." That' aspett of Auckland tram car manners. Let us*make another pertinent observation. This time it is a mild castigation of the fair sex. I always surrender my seat to an<adult female when I am seated in a crowded tram. A few times I have been rewarded with a gracious "thank you!" To-put the matter arithmetically, I would say that possibly 80 per cent of Auckland ladies take the seat without bothering to thank the giver. I have found that the only ones who consistently acknowledge the courtesy are the elderly ladies. The younger and middle-aged ones are sadly lacking in that little point of etiquette. Of course we find a few exceptions. RETURNED SERVICEMAN.