In a delightful turn of events, a New York City mother, Linda Marsh, was on her second pregnancy journey when she finally received the courtesy she’d been waiting for—a seat offer from a man on the subway. After enduring two pregnancies with nary a gentleman in sight to relinquish his seat, Linda decided it was time to take matters into her own hands and create a trophy to celebrate the first decent guy who would step up.
“I hadn’t received any seat offers from men,” the 38-year-old designer shared with Metro News. “I thought if I finally got a seat from a guy, I needed to make sure he knew he was appreciated.” While numerous women graciously offered their seats, the men seemed oblivious, engrossed in their phones or the latest Pokémon Go adventure, completely ignoring her very obvious, very pregnant state.
In a fit of optimism, Linda once carried a “silly little card” during her first pregnancy, but thankfully, she never had to use it thanks to the chivalrous women of NYC. Instead of kicking every man she encountered (which I might have considered), she opted for a more creative approach. She commissioned a custom 7-inch bronze trophy modeled after the “Incredible Hulk” mid-t-shirt tear, complete with a plaque reading, “#1 DECENT DUDE. First Man to Offer Subway Seat to Pregnant Woman throughout Two Pregnancies.” This little statuette found a home in her backpack, as she thought it would be worth the effort.
To increase her chances of success in this social experiment, Linda dressed in a way that clearly indicated her pregnancy. Fast forward to her second pregnancy—at eight months along—when a kind gentleman finally offered her his seat. With a grin, Linda presented her trophy to the man, who was initially startled but quickly stood up, saying, “Please take this seat, I just noticed.” They shared a light conversation, and of course, she took a picture of him with the trophy.
Linda expressed her hope that her story would encourage everyone to treat each other with a little more kindness. “If men gave up their seats as often as women do, we wouldn’t have this issue,” she remarked.
Meet the Kind-hearted Gentleman
Curious about the kind-hearted man? His name is Tyler Brooks, an Army veteran and mixed martial artist who also works as a body double in action films. He recounted that he hadn’t initially noticed Linda’s pregnancy due to her all-black attire but jumped to action once he did. “It’s just common courtesy,” he said. “I have no problem giving up my seat no matter how tired I am, or where I’m going.” Spoken like a true gentleman!
For more insights on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. And if you’re curious about at-home insemination options, you can find a comprehensive guide here.
In summary, Linda Marsh’s quest for a simple act of kindness led to a humorous and heartwarming moment on the subway. Her trophy became a symbol of appreciation for those who recognize the challenges of pregnancy, reminding everyone that a little courtesy goes a long way.