I ride the Muni every day.

The Muni is the bus and train system which makes up a subset of San Francisco’s public transit.

When riding the Muni there are general announcements that run in the background providing information on train arrivals, news & alerts, and occasional bits of advice for expected train rider conduct.

One particular announcement asks that you give seats to seniors and people with disabilities.

Reasonable, right? But you’d be shocked at the number of people who do not abide by this common courtesy.

Maybe it’s because the chilly San Francisco fog has crept too deep within their souls, or simply because their new app leveraging big data didn’t get VC funding – it’s a toss-up.

Well, today I was guilty of the very group I am scorning.

While riding the train today  I was listening to ‘The Porch’ podcast with my eye’s closed. Partially because I was tired, and wanted to focus on the podcast, but also because I didn’t want to make eye contact with someone who may need a seat.

Thankfully Lydia, my roommate, did not adopt such a mindset. In the past two days alone she has been the first to give up her seat to the elderly or, in today’s case, to a mother and her four-year-old child.

And each time I have been impressed and surprised by how much her example impacted me, resulting in me following suit.

Most people on San Francisco public transportation have a C- or F in Muni Etiquette. Although public transportation and etiquette can often be seen as oxymorons Lydia has a shining A+.

Taking honorable, sometimes uncomfortable action shows! It impacts others more than you likely know.