Monday
It was on our family holiday to the Lake District that we had an experience I can’t quite shake off. My wife, the children, and I had finally managed to escape work and school for a few days, determined to make the most of our time away from London.
One morning, we booked a coach tour. The excursion would lead us through hidden corners of the regionthose picture-perfect spots you simply cant reach on foot. We all fancied a bit of adventure and thought itd be a treat for the kids, Harry and Emily.
We bought four tickets in advance so we’d each have our own seat. The coach was nearly full when we boarded. Shortly after us, a rather robust lady entered with her son, who was, frankly, just as broad as she. They squeezed through the aisle with some effort. The woman settled herself on a seat at the back and soon realised her son wouldnt fit comfortably beside her. She stood up abruptly, searching for another seat for her boy.
Glancing about, she clocked my two childrenboth rather slight, as children goand decided to commandeer the remaining seat in our row for her son and herself. She looked like she expected us to simply make space.
But I politely interjected and let her know those seats were already paid for and reserved for my family. My wife added that wed bought the four tickets specifically so our kids wouldnt be squashed the whole journey. The lady wouldnt let it go. She argued with the tour guide, insisting we should swap things around, even going so far as to suggest we could exit the tour and receive a refund.
The situation escalated when some of the other passengers started taking photosor, more likely, videoson their mobiles, hoping to capture the drama. My kids, quietly mortified and just wanting to get on with the day, made the decision to shuffle over and squeeze together, so the tour could finally commence. All the while, the coach driver sat at the front, drumming his fingers on the wheel, no doubt wondering if wed ever get going.
The spirit of our little outing was well and truly dampened. As we bumped along the winding roads, I couldnt help questioning: were we in the right? Why should our children have to sit in discomfort when wed paid good moneyhard-earned poundsto ensure seats for everyone? At the same time, I wondered whether a bit of willing flexibility might have spared us the confrontation.
Lesson learnt: sometimes, doing whats right on paper doesnt always feel right in practice. But standing up for whats fair, especially for your family, is something I dont regret. I just wish British politeness hadnt been lost somewhere along the wayfor all of us.
