sinjoroseniorgentleman/Mr.

Sam was tired. To be fair, he was tired most of the time nowadays. But he was especially tired on weekday mornings as he commuted to work.

Sam had been looking forward to retiring at age 65, but economic difficulties and bad investments had forced him back into the labor pool. Life as a senior wasn't all that Sam had hoped it would be. Sure, he got discounts on cofee and bus tickets, but cheap coffee was no substitute for lazy days fishing on a placid lake somewhere.

Sam looked around and sighed. He was standing in a tightly-packed bus bumping and jostling down the road. He looked up and down the rows of seated passangers, and then around at those standing in the aisles. He knew he shouldn't look too closely; his doctor had warned him about getting his blood pressure up. But he couldn't help but notice all the young able-bodied men sitting in seats while senior citizens like himself were standing. What had happened to being a gentleman and giving up your seat for the elderly?

He thought he had gotten used to it by now. Teenage boys and 20-something men sat staring at their video games or phones as pregnant women and men with canes stood in the aisle next to them. How could they be so... so... un-gentleman-like! (He couldn't think of a better word to describe their behavior.)

Finally, the bus pulled up to Sam's stop. This wasn't his final stop. He was transitioning to another bus for the rest of his trip. After waiting for less than a minute, the next bus arrived. Maybe he was lucky today and would find a seat.

Sam stepped up into the bus, showed the driver his ticket, and then looked backed in the bus. He couldn't believe his eyes. Every single seat in the bus was occupied by a young man. But standing throughout the rest of the bus were dozens of senior citizens. Some were standing unsteadily on canes, others were hunched over gripping onto poles for support. Little old ladies were clutching their handbags while trying to maintain their balance. Dozens of seniors were standing in the bus, dozens of young men were seated—not a one of them a gentleman enough to give up his seat!

Sam had had enough. "Gentlemen!" he yelled, trying to get the young men's attention. He had used the word "gentlemen" only out of habit. Ironically, only the senior men looked up at him.

Note: S-ro is an abbreviation similar to Mr.