Why must we give up our seat?

RESERVED SEATS
 
It was packed on our 10am train this
morning. I ended up at a table seat.
The final place was politely requested
by a scruffy looking guy who clearly was
a bit the worse for wear. He was too chatty
for the middle class group he joined.
 
When he took out a can of beer,
you could hear the comments in
people’s heads. ‘I’m going to a mate’s
funeral so it’s going to be a tough day.
You don’t mind?’ he gently asked.
I’m not sure the voices believed him.
 
The train stopped at the next station and as
more people got on, he offered his seat to
a little girl who was sitting on the floor beside
her Mum. The mother ignored his offer.
My man took a call on his phone to confirm
what time he would be at the funeral.
 
He opened another can as we pulled
into the next station. He offered his seat to a
dad with kids who said ‘I’m getting off at
the next stop. Thank you though. Top man!’
My man rolled a cigarette from a packet that
stated that ‘smoking can cause throat cancer’.
 
A young woman and her friend arrived and
claimed their reserved seats opposite me.
My man graciously packed up his battered laptop
and left without a farewell. The ‘two husbands’
then arrived. They insisted that I stay in my
seat. Then all four of them opened their cans.

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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONS
1.  What’s they key message in this story for you?
​2.  Why must we give up our seat?

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Day 569 of Des McCabe's Personal Development Exercises