Children On Buses

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30811, 24 July 1965, Page 14

Children On Buses

Sir,—ln reply to “T.J.H.” I should ■ like to say that 1 think that he must be a most discourteous person. Although I am not a regular bus traveller, it always disgusts me to find that I am the only young person standing. It seems today that the young people have few or no manners, and to see a young person seated while an older person is standing is, to me, disgusting. Perhaps when “T.J.H.” is older and standing in a bus while young ones are sitting down he will think differently. In the meantime I hope that he learns a few more manners.—Yours, etc., C.L.W. July 23, 1965.

Sir, —My experience, especially in the holidays, is not that of “Old Bean,” for I associate it with the willing scuttle of little feet to the back whenever a bus fills up. Older children (though still on half fare) seem less disposed to leap up for adults, but I have always ascribed this to the self-consciousness of adolescence, which dislikes the publicity of being thanked for the service, though adults are often guilty of bad manners by sparing them any

acknowledgement at all. Your 15-year-old correspondent is clearly within his legal rights, and adults should not “expect” courtesy from him. The fact remains that elderly people often suffer from prosaic infirmities, such as corns or plain fatigue, and a decently brought up young person recognises this possibility—a fact which “T.J.H.” might ponder with advantage, both to his manners and his humanity.—Yours, etc., BOADICEA. July 23, 1965. Sir,—Surely all this argument about who pays full fare and who doesn’t has nothing to do with the question. Is it not a matter of common courtesy, that young people stand for those who are older?—Yours etc., A YOUNG ’UN. July 23, 1965. Sir, —What a great pity “T.J.H.’s” mother, like a lot of others today, forgot to teach her child respect for their elders.—Yours, etc., NOT MUCH OLDER. July 23, 1965.