A medical assistant in NYC who had a run-in with what they labeled an “entitled” elderly couple took to the internet to vent about the encounter. The individual claimed that it all went down on a bus in the city after the elderly couple demanded that the assistant move from the seat they wanted, even though there were plenty of other empty seats on the bus.
The story was shared on the r/EntitledPeople board on Reddit, where posters go to share stories about encounters with entitled individuals. According to the OP, they had finished work late, claiming that they worked as a medical assistant and had been on their feet for the past nine hours.
“I got on a bus after work and sat in the first row, and just wanted to melt for the next 10 mins.” They wrote, claiming that it was around 9 p.m. and the bus was “basically empty.” While the front seats are typically reserved for the elderly or disabled, the OP claimed that all of the priority seats were empty, so they thought nothing of sitting in one.
Things changed when a couple got on the bus whom the OP described as being in their “older maybe 60s?” The woman apparently pointed at where the OP was sitting and said, “I’m going to sit there.” What followed was a heated exchange between the exhausted medical assistant and the woman they described as an entitled Karen.
While the OP tried to explain there were plenty of seats next to them, the woman apparently insisted that she have their specific seat: “No, I want this seat,” she apparently told them, “you’re suppose to give that to the elderly.” The woman’s husband also chimed in.
People on Reddit weigh in
After calling the OP privileged and continuing to rant about their apparent lack of respect for the elderly, the couple eventually took some empty seats. The medical assistant stood their ground, and most people on Reddit seem to think it was the right call.
“She was clearly trying to power trip,” wrote one Reddit user. Another agreed, adding, “Yep this wasn’t about needing the seat at all lol. She wanted to prove she could make someone move for her.” The OP’s story certainly paints the picture of an entitled elderly couple on a power trip, but not everyone was so quick to make assumptions.
“Maybe she had dementia….” theorized one person. “Maybe she has favorite seat, like Sheldon,” another suggested, although they admitted that if that were the case, a “polite ask with explanation would be appropriate. Not rude demand.”
Regardless, most commended the OP for not giving in to the couple’s demands. Some even said that they weren’t rude enough!
Published: Aug 19, 2026 10:35 am