Mtr

[Nashua852]

From someone who uses the MTR from the new territories into Central a few times a week and who has spent most of her life in Hong Kong I can say with confidence that the somewhat lacking spatial awareness of hong kong commuters in general becomes more of an inconvenience and less of a factor in using the MTR when you have kids.

I barely got a seat when I was pregnant - this was counteracted by me actually asking for a seat. It was no big deal, you just had to be frank. Stewing in my own discontent (not to mention the sciatica and aches) was only hurting myself, and I figured if I wanted to kick off about anything it might as well be if someone actually refused to give up their seat when a pregnant lady asked for it -- which of course, didn't happen.

I am very peeved by the lift ettiquette in Hong Kong though. I too have had many frustrating waits by the lift as people have pushed me and buggy aside to make way -- who were CLEARLY able bodied. The Tung Chung line in Hong Kong Station is notorious for this -- despite the escalator LITERALLY 10 paces away. There has been an occasion where I have been very 'vocal' to in this case two teenage boys who just looked at me dazed when I gestured they get off the lift in favour of the woman in the wheelchair waiting -- SHE felt bad for US because we got off to take the escalator (husband pulling me away as I was still ranting) whilst the two boys still took the lift. There have been occasions where a sharp knock to the ankle from a buggy has sent a clear message - a method I would recommend you use with discretion.

The bottom line is it IS frustrating, there are days where everything goes wrong - rude co-passengers, people using the buggy as a handrail, people touching baby without any acknowledgment of parent, long waits by the lift, hunting for an exit barrier etc. BUT the fact of the matter is things ARE improving. If anyone hasn't noticed yet, the disabled sections in trains now have not only a man in a wheelchair sticker, but a woman pushing a pram. Signs are becoming more apparent to give up lifts to people that need them.

YES, the advent of technology isn't helping, YES, queuing for the train is sometimes laughable, YES, there have been co passenger horror stories (mine was on a bus, this man rudely banged at my then 5 week olds carseat with his fist whilst bab was still inside, asleep -- screeching about as he put it 'one person, one seat.' I could understand where he was coming from but any sympathy or guilt on my part was irreconcilable with the fact that this guy was a weedy little sh*t.) But all it takes sometimes is someone to glance up from their PSP or ipod or DS or highhorse, smile and inquire about the baby -- and any bleakness to your journey vanishes.

 

[bumpkin]

Interesting topic. I find out that time matters, during rush hour my son and I are rarely offered a seat but other times we always have one or are offered one. Although they are few occasions that young ladies offered us their seats, most people offered us seats are over 40, I guess. And never had any luck with 20s guys.

 

[nicolejoy]

I think it's crazy here when people stand up for school aged kids - in Australia, we were always taught that kids should stand up for any adult!! At least when I was a kid, that's what they told me!!

 

[megan2008]

For a while, rarely a person would give up their seat for me. Lately, I have noticed on the MTR that only women will give up their seats for me; I am 35 weeks pregnant. I did have a young lady (maybe 20) give up her seat for me, while her boyfriend kept his seat! This surprises me as in the states it is taught that a "gentleman" should give up his seat for a lady regardless if she is pregnant. While I never expect anyone to give up their seat, I have noticed a trend. Not sure if it is a culture thing or not. It does worry me about what to expect once I have my baby and need to take the MTR.

 

[1510]

I'm also fully frustrated having to squeeze into a lift with so many able-bodied young guys/gals pushing moms with kids or wheelchaired bound folks. It also happens a lot when i need to take shuttle bus to the MTR station, young men would insist on the reserved seats despite huge and yellow signage on the seats. They were pissed when i ask for them (though i was alone carrying a baby and stroller). Totally yikes! When pregnant, i was only offered seat by ladies in their 40s and that only happened a few times. I really think people are just plain selfish.

 

[joyofliving]

Some might dislike me for saying this but I have ALWAYS been offered help by white folks and Pilipino helpers (Many times even without asking for it.) and EXTREMELY rarely the Chinese.

 

[Smiles]

I think you will find that no matter where you are in the world you will always have people who will offer their seat and those who don't. I think blaming all chinese is a bit harsh....but maybe I've just been fortunate to have both chinese men and women (and a few teenage boys!)offer their seats to me...mind you I do my best to look pathetic and in need of one!

On the London Underground you'll still see business men buried in their newspaper while someone who really needs the seat is standing. My mum who is in her 60's (sorry mum!) finds that she is usually the one offering her seat instead of a much younger person.

As Nicole said, when I was a child you were expected to give up your seat...

 

[joyofliving]

I am not blaming "all Chinese" but majority. I agree all sorts of people exist everywhere and I have been offered help when I asked for it in dire circumstances by some Chinese people as well :smile:

 

[bekyboo44]

From experience the only people who help me lift a push chair up and down stairs are tourists or women- and usually women who say 'oh I have a baby at home so know what it's like.'

I've lived in HK since I was 11 and so have little experience of other big cities- is it like this in other big cities? i.e. impossible to get around with a push chair, impossible to get a seat on the bus or train even when carrying a baby or toddler?

I have been heavily pregnant, or carrying my toddler on the buses in DB and never been offered a seat. Recently was on the bus with a friend, I managed to get a seat for my toddler but she had to carry hers for the while 15 minute bus ride (not only uncomfortable but very dangerous); when she challenged the guy sitting in the seat she was standing next to he ignored her and then when the bus stopped pushed past her, so she had to grab on to something, to get off the bus!

Having lived in HK for a long time I have to agree there is a lack of basic manners and courtesy here- countless times I have had doors in shopping centres closed on my push chair or on my toddler; countless times I have struggled with a push chair down a flight of stairs.
But maybe this is part and parcel of living in a big city????

 

[capital]

I don't think all cities are like this. Of course the fact that hong kong is so hilly doesn't help, but honestly other countries make things so much easier by having lower areas on side walks to make it easier to cross the street, most stores and malls will have a button to push to open the door for you, or an automatic door elevators in more accessible areas. Most of these things are meant for wheel chairs, but also used by everyone with a stroller. it is all in the desgin, for example why do grocery stores in hong kong, or at least the ones I've beeen to, have all these metal bars in front of the door that have you to lift off to get a stroller through, and then have turnstiles? Why? it makes no sense whatsoever. Why so few elevators and hard to find? I can't imagine how someone in a wheel chair gets around.