Commuter gets surprise of life after offering train seat to pregnant woman

A London commuter was left gobsmacked after his act of kindness towards a pregnant woman on the train went horribly awry.

In the ruthless scramble for seating on crowded carriages, it is an unwritten rule to give up your spot to those in more need, like the elderly, disabled, or expectant mothers, and that is echoed by the symbols on designated priority seats.

So with that being said, a man took to Reddit to describe his experience on the Jubilee line from Stanmore into central London.

According to his account, when a clearly pregnant lady boarded the London Underground train, passengers in the priority seat took no notice.

Then, after offering his own, he watched in disbelief as another man swooped into the space he had freed for the woman.

He recalled: "This morning [I] was heading into London on the Jubilee line from Stanmore. After a few stops I saw a pregnant woman get on and the people in the priority seats just ignored her so I offered her mine.

"As soon as I stood up a man pushed her away and took the seat I had just vacated. It was bad enough seeing people not give up priority seats but then to see that and he just sat there obstinately as I told him it was for a pregnant woman."

The shocking tale has sparked more than 600 comments on Reddit - and also drew responses from none other than the pregnant woman herself.

The expectant mother expressed gratitude, saying: "Firstly, to the kind man who offered your seat, thank you so much for doing the right thing and I think we were both gobsmacked by this other man's behaviour."

She then went on to explain the incident from her own perspective, writing: "To clarify the situation, I got on the tube this morning and since I am 8 months pregnant I usually ask for a seat if someone isn't offering it, since I know people can be in their own world or on their phones.

"However, this morning, I didn't have to as this kind man stood up and then this other 2 meter tall, well built man pushed in front of me to grab the seat. I said 'excuse me, I think this seat was meant for me' and the kind man said the same thing.

"He just looked us both in the eye, didn't say anything but remained seated. The kind man said 'I can't believe you just took a pregnant woman's seat' but nothing from him, he shortly after pretended to sleep, probably not to face the looks of the rest of the carriage."

Fortunately, she was then given a priority seat by another passenger, but she hesitated to cause more commotion and politely declined.

Wrapping up her statement, the woman remarked: "I would have understood if he also had a disability but he had clearly been capable to stand until that point, didn't wear a badge or say anything in his defence.

"I think he was just lazy and rude. My main thought was: I wonder what his mum would have said if she saw his behaviour..."

Her husband also weighed in on the post, adding: "So this was my wife! Thank you op for noticing as not many do. Thanks to the other person who stood up to give her a seat. To the guy that just ignored my wife you're an a******!".

Other Reddit users expressed their disdain for the man's behaviour. One commented: "That's absolutely ridiculous. I would have shamed him loudly in front of everyone."

Another chimed in: "The irony of working in health support and doing that... unreal. Hope karma catches him fast."

Meanwhile, a third suggested: "Contact his work company and shame him. Even if they do nothing, at least you've done what you can. What a t*****.