Young Woman Refuses to Chat with Elderly Lady on Bus Is She in the Wrong?

We all have those days when we just want to tune out the world, plug in our headphones, and enjoy some music. But what happens when someone tries to strike up a conversation with you during your much-needed alone time? A 21-year-old woman found herself in this exact situation on her bus ride home from work. She chose to keep her headphones in and avoid conversation with an elderly woman, but now she’s wondering if she was in the wrong. Let’s dive into her story.

Working with the Elderly

Headphones and Commuting

Taking the Bus

Elderly Woman Sits Down

A Tap on the Shoulder

Not in the Mood to Chat

Elderly Woman’s Reaction

Mom’s Opinion ️

Mom’s Advice

Dad’s Take on the Situation

The Big Question ❓

Introvert vs. Elderly Lady: Who’s Right?

So, we have a young woman who works with the elderly and understands their loneliness, but after a long week of work, she just wanted to unwind with her music on her bus ride home. When an elderly woman tried to strike up a conversation, the young woman politely declined, citing her exhaustion. The elderly woman was offended and moved seats, while the young woman’s mom thinks she should have indulged the lady in conversation. Her dad, on the other hand, believes she didn’t do anything wrong. What do you think? Let’s see what the internet has to say about this situation…

Polite young woman refuses to chat with entitled elderly lady

Passenger shuts down entitled man’s rude request on plane

Headphones on, elderly lady sits next to her, she’s NTA.

Respectful refusal to chat with stranger on bus. NTA.

Polite introvert declines conversation with stranger, deemed rude by elderly lady

Polite young woman refuses to chat with elderly lady on bus

Respect personal space: NTA for refusing to chat.

Elderly lady ignored signals, NTA for not wanting interaction

Wearing headphones and declining conversation doesn’t make you rude.

Lonely elderly lady rebuffed on bus, commenter says NAH.

Headphones = no interaction. Polite explanation = not an AH.

Respect personal space and autonomy. NTA

Respect personal space and privacy. NTA for setting boundaries.

Generational gap leads to peaceful disagreement on bus interaction

Breaking societal norms, commenter defends young woman’s right to refuse.

Choosing to keep to oneself on public transportation is acceptable.

Polite refusal to chat with elderly lady on bus. NTA.

Woman defends her right to choose conversation partners on bus.

Polite refusal to chat with stranger on bus. #NTA

Polite refusal, entitled lady. NTA wins this bus battle.

Taking time for yourself is important, NTA

Asserting boundaries is important, even with strangers.

Respectful refusal to chat with stranger on bus. NTA.

NAH. OP not obligated to talk, but compassion is free

Introverted woman stands up for herself on bus

Polite decline on bus ride sparks debate on social obligations.

Keeping to yourself on public transport: NTA or rude?

Setting boundaries on public transportation is important.

Be kind to the elderly. YTA for snubbing her.

Taking a stand for introverts!

Polite refusal to chat with elderly lady on bus. NTA.

Respect personal space , not obligated to entertain strangers

Introverted commenter defends not talking to strangers on bus

NTA commenter reflects on the unpredictability of people’s reactions.

Headphones on, world off

Polite boundary-setting: NTA for refusing to chat with stranger

Introvert defends not wanting to chat with strangers on bus

Polite refusal to chat on bus doesn’t justify harassment. NTA

Empathetic comment reminds us to be kind to strangers.

Commuter defends right to not engage in small talk

Polite refusal to chat on bus: NTA, energy levels matter.

Respect headphone boundaries. NTA for ignoring entitled stranger.

Cultural differences in social norms, NTA for not engaging.

Defending the right to not socialize on public transport

Respectful refusal of interaction on bus, but called rude. NTA.

Polite refusal to chat on bus, but empathy could’ve helped

Stranger danger? NTA for refusing to chat with strangers

Polite introvert sets boundaries with entitled stranger on bus

Introverted woman not obligated to talk, extroverts need to understand.

Woman refuses to chat with elderly lady on bus, not rude.

Don’t bother me when my headphones are on

Introverted commenter defends bus rider’s decision to avoid conversation.

Introverted people pleaser learns to set boundaries. NTA

It’s okay to not want to chat on the bus

Polite refusal to engage with stranger on bus. NTA

Empathy for exhaustion and boundaries with elderly people. NTA.

Headphone-wearing woman on bus refuses to chat. NTA.

Introverted woman defends her right to not talk on bus

Respecting boundaries on public transport

Introverted commenter defends young woman’s choice to not socialize.

It’s okay to not want to talk to strangers

Introverts don’t owe anyone conversation.

Taking a break from socializing is okay

Polite refusal to chat with stranger on bus. NTA

Rejecting conversation with elderly lady: justified or rude? NTA.

English-speaking commenter shares perspective on respecting boundaries while traveling

Respect bus decorum, don’t force conversations. You’re NTA.

Polite refusal to chat on bus – NTA wins.

Polite young woman refuses to chat with elderly lady on bus

Working with elderly doesn’t mean she owes them conversation

Defending personal space. NTA. Entitled elderly lady crossed boundaries