Leighbo's article mentioning excuses reminded me of something that happened to me on the bus once. I had an aisle seat near the front and the bus was packed. A blind guy got on with his cane. I offered him my seat. He said no, he was fine with standing and only going 2 stops . So I stayed seated. The next stop a chick got on and had a go at me (and not at anyone else in any of the other seats) for not giving the guy my seat. I said I offered it to him and he didn't want it. She said I should have given it to him. He just stood there and didn't speak up to back me up. I put headphones in and turned away. But I was blown away that she felt like attacking me and no one else, and that he didn't speak up to say he didn't care (although I can get that he was embarrassed). Should I have insisted on him taking my seat? Isn't it condescending to think that just because he can't see he's incapable of standing on the bus? Why was I, of all the people on the bus, solely responsible for him not having a seat?
Anyway , not sure what my point is but it was a strange incident.