Give up yer aul seats

A new twist on an old behaviour

Sir, – While standing on a busy Dart train yesterday morning, I noticed a new twist on an old behaviour.

A heavily pregnant woman was left standing on the train while non-disabled people sat in the seats that were prioritised for people with disabilities and pregnant women.

Unlike in the old days, when the gaze of a pregnant woman or a person with a disability could be avoided by reading a daily newspaper, now the newspaper has been replaced by absorption in a smartphone.

After three stops, one of the smartphone users got out of their seat, and while again managing to avoid the gaze of the woman, exited the train. If you are reading this letter, even on a smartphone, you should be aware that despite avoiding the gaze of people less able than yourself, we all know what you are doing, and think little of you for doing it. – Yours, etc,

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SEAN FOLEY,

Monkstown,

Co Dublin.