Random reminder

Press, 18 October 1976, Page 28

Random reminder

THEORY AND PRACTICE

It was a cold day, io the August holidays. The pictures were out, and the suburban bus closely resembled a tin of Norwegian sardines. One more stop, and with considerable pushing and shoving, three adults managed to find standing room. Returning shoppers and children alike were treated to a loud and highly-coloured diatribe from the elderly gentleman who had just arj rived. He voiced his opin-

ion of children on buses. They should be banned. He described at some length what should happen to children who occupied seats on buses while adults stood. But for children who occupied seats on buses when ladies were standing — ! He became almost apoplectic. The passengers shuffled uneasily, looking apologetically at Ms female companion, their eyes beseeching her to understand their predicament.

At last the bus stopped, and with considerable difficultly a passenger alighted, pausing on the way to indicate her vacated seat to the whitehaired female companion. It was then she realised two things — the female companion was an independent passenger, and the seat was no longer vacant. It was occupied by one elderly, unchivalrous gentleman.