Facebook: “Something to think about for today’s teenagers.”
Does no one offer the old woman a place?
In August 2019, a photo of an old woman clinging to a pole on a bus once again caused a stir – while younger passengers looked away impassively or stared at their smartphones. Once again, because we already covered this topic at the beginning of the year. This is the picture in question:
Every year, someone falls for this photo and unintentionally stirs up unfounded emotions among their followers (at least as far as this photo is concerned).
In February 2024, a photo of an old woman clinging to a pole on a bus while younger passengers look away impassively or stare at their smartphones once again caused a stir. Again, because we already covered this topic at the beginning of the year. This is the picture in question:
The old lady is apparently being ignored by the other passengers. She stands cramped in a wobbly bus, while younger (and certainly healthier) people sit comfortably. But as with so many pictures on the internet, this is just a snapshot that tells us nothing about the actual circumstances and has been taken out of context. And where you don’t know something for sure, the gates are wide open for all kinds of assumptions.
The picture was taken in Australia and spread very quickly, going viral before other users around the world also posted it to express their outrage at the old lady’s supposed situation.
The old lady’s grandson also saw the picture and didn’t hesitate for long: he sent the following explanation of the picture to Ben Fordham’s 2GB radio show.
The mature lady was getting ready to get off at the next station – she’s my Nanna [grandmother]”
Quote: The grandson
Ben Fordham then conducted a telephone interview with Howard Collins, CEO of Sidney Trains. “The picture is an opportunity to remind people that in our world full of texts and headphones, we should also look up. Is there anyone who needs your space more urgently?”
Conclusion
The lady is not being ignored, but is standing there because she wants to get off right away.
