The Importance of Empathy and Kindness in Public Spaces

I’m going with a 2-year-old, a 6-year-old and an empty stroller. Backpack, bag and hurry. Great hurry. That’s why today is very important to take the first bus. We arrive at the stop first and we know that there are a few minutes left until it arrives. So we talk about our things and I make sure that the one in two doesn’t lick the floor. Meanwhile, The older girls and boys are arriving and they also take the bus.. I’m not of interest to them, so they don’t see me. There are more and more and they see me less and less.

As they usually do, occupy the road so that the bus cannot approach the sidewalk, brake in front of them and go in first to get the back seats for six or seven stops until you reach your destination. We almost never take this bus for this reason.

But today we have to catch it and like today I also wait for one, just one of them, to tell me: “come in, because you were first.” “Come in, because I see that you need room to maneuver with children and a stroller.” “Come in, you only have two hands.” “It happens, because at home I have been taught that if someone needs help, offer it to them.” “It happens, because I spend eight hours at school receiving an education.” “Come in, because if by chance I run out of a seat, I can stand for ten minutes.” “Come in, because you could be my mother to my brothers.” “Come on in, because maybe one day the same thing will happen to me.” “Come in, because I have education.” “Come in, because I feel empathy.” Or just “pass”, or in the worst case, “pass”.

It is not like this. Still trying to make room for myself with the stroller and the 2 and the 6, no boy, no girl gave me room. Not even a hint. They didn’t see me. I had to say hello and ask: “Hello. Can you please let me in?” And hear some mocking laughter.

This has always happened. I don’t want my children to do the same thing as them.. So when we have to take the first bus, it is an opportunity, if today my children see how they don’t see me, maybe tomorrow they will see when they are one of them.