Watch Out for that Pushchair!

As a Dad (ok, so it's only been a few weeks!), I feel I can speak with authority on the subject of pushchairs and manners, namely that having a pushchair brings out bad manners in most people.

Everyone is in a hurry to get on the train or bus, though to be perfectly fair, anything that gets in their way (whether pushchairs or old ladies) is treated in the same manner - pushed or elbowed out of the way. No matter that I can get in place early and be lined up perfectly with the doors when they open, there's always someone who thinks they are more important and need to get on ahead of me.

Actually, to be honest, I'm not 100% sure of the etiquette about getting on public transport with a pushchair. I think it's probably best to get on first, because then I can get out of the way of oher passengers, putting the pushchair to the side of the carriage against the wall. If I'm last on, it inevitably ends up in the middle of the carriage and is in everyone's way even more. It's lose/lose when getting a pushchair on a train, and while not many people actually say anything, I can feel their looks burning into my back.

Still, when I'm on my way to work in the morning and force some space in the carriage, I do groan when I see someone with a pushchair. I know exactly how it feels, but that doesn't mean I have to like it when it's someone else trying to take MY space.

So please have some sympathy for a Mum or Dad who's trying to take their pushchair on public transport. It's not some thing we enjoy either, and if I could make my pushchair half the size, or even disappear then I definitely would. Just be thankful that the baby is asleep, or you'd be sharing your space with something that not only takes up room but makes a noise as well. Of course, more often that seems fair, you end up having both; but more on that another day.