A crowded New York City subway car became the setting for a quick social experiment when an elderly woman with a medical condition asked fellow passengers for a seat.
What started as a simple request evolved into an increasingly desperate plea (complete with a cash offer) that left viewers feeling like basic etiquette has been lost.
Woman Offers to Pay for Subway Seat
In a viral video with more than 45,000 views, performer Linda Marcus Smith (@llindamarcussmith), a self-described elderly woman, shared her attempt to secure a seat on a full NYC subway train.
“70-year-old lady with osteoporosis who would like to have a seat,” Marcus Smith announces to the car. “Any takers? I’ll give you everything in my pockets for a seat on the train.”
Her friend, who’s recording the incident, warns her about making such an offer.
“Don’t say that. You might have some money,” the friend cautions.
But Marcus Smith is undeterred in her request. She continues addressing the seated passengers, making it clear she’s willing to compensate someone for basic courtesy.
“I’ll give you money. I’m not asking for money. I’ll pay you to get up off your seat and let an old woman,” she says.
The woman then begins calling out specific generations, attempting to appeal to different age groups on the train.
“Any Gen X, Boomers? Nobody?” she asks, scanning the faces of seated passengers.
She pulls out what appear to be $2 bills, holding them up as evidence of her serious offer.
“I got money; I will pay you,” she emphasizes. “I will pay to have a seat.”
Her friend joins in, asking about millennials. The elderly woman becomes more direct with passengers who seem to be ignoring her.
“Take the earphones out of your ears. I’m talking to you,” she says, still smiling.
At the end, the Marcus Smith promotes her comedy show scheduled for 5:30 that evening, then claps for herself. Despite her continued efforts, smiling demeanor, and visible disappointment, no one appears to have offered her their seat.
Understanding Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones, making them thinner and less dense than they should be. According to Cleveland Clinic, more than 50 million people in the U.S. live with osteoporosis, with experts estimating that half of all women and one in four men over 50 have the condition.
The disease makes bones fragile and significantly increases the risk of fractures, especially from minor falls or accidents that wouldn’t normally cause injury.
People with osteoporosis often don’t know they have it until they break a bone, which is why healthcare providers sometimes call it a “silent disease.” The condition commonly affects the hips, spine, and wrists and can cause physical changes, including loss of height, stooped posture, and back pain.
For someone with osteoporosis, standing for extended periods—particularly while balancing on a moving subway train—can be physically taxing and dangerous.
The risk of falling and suffering a serious fracture makes securing a seat more than just a matter of comfort; it’s a legitimate safety concern.
NYC Subway Etiquette
According to Thrillist, one of the fundamental rules of NYC subway etiquette is that passengers “should always give up his or her seat to the elderly, pregnant, or those with baggage.”
The MTA designates certain seats as priority seating for elderly passengers and those with disabilities, marked with signs reminding riders to offer these seats to those who need them.
However, enforcement relies entirely on the voluntary compliance of passengers, and many able-bodied riders ignore these guidelines—particularly when wearing headphones or pretending not to notice someone in need.
The incident highlights a broader issue in urban public transportation culture, where the combination of crowded conditions, personal fatigue, and smartphone distraction can lead passengers to disengage from their surroundings and ignore basic courtesy. While some riders may have invisible disabilities of their own that justify keeping their seats, the woman’s vocal and repeated requests—combined with her stated medical condition and age—should have prompted at least one person to respond.
Commenters React
“This generation isn’t taught any manners,” a top comment read.
“When I was pregnant, men would consistently pretend to be asleep rather than stand up,” a person shared.
“Shame that is so shameful that no one got up. She’s an older woman and I know everybody is tired, but this world has cooked man,” another wrote.
BroBible reached out to Smith for comment via TikTok direct message and comment.