Because if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does.
…easy target?
No disagreement there, but it can be enough to cause someone to hesitate and overthink. I’ve been known to appear inconsiderate, not because I haven’t considered someone else but because I’m desperately trying to work out how to translate my good intentions into the right action. Sometimes being considerate means pretending you haven’t noticed someone else’s problems or difficulties, and it can be pretty hard (for some people, at least) to know when it’s best to do something and when it’s best not to. It’s a difficulty that I understand, and my inner narcissist told me my thoughts might help defuse an argument between people who obviously all have good intentions and don’t actually seem to disagree all that much.
Is that a schtick?
Seriously - just answer the questions, and tell me why they are different. No need to dodge. You’re above that.
Well since now you admit I’m right about my basic point, doesn’t that mean you shot yourself in the foot?
Yes, good point - we spend most of our time trying desperately NOT to be seen staring at people with disabilities. It can be an uncomfortably abrupt transition to suddenly reverse that and bring the disability up, even implicitly, to a stranger. Ten times worse if you aren’t SURE if a disability exists!
That’s fair, I get you.
But there’s a tremendous difference between “You look disabled and worthy of my pity, here: I will nobly sacrifice my seat for you” and “Hey, would you like to sit?” Absolutely there are some people who will always hear the former, even when the latter is said, and it sucks that they have been taught by society to be so defensive. But I don’t think it’s most people. Or even, really, many.
Yes. Yes, it is.
No dodging required. I think your questions are as relevant to the scenario as astrophysics to a whelk.
Nope. Not even a little. And again, you really needn’t try to out-patronize me.
One can be absolutely correct and still come across as a prick.
I never thought of LA as an exceptionally friendly and considerate town, but I see and participate in these exchanges daily when on public transportation. A seated person looks up, meets the eye of a standing person, and points at the seat with raised brows and a nod. The standing person nods/moves toward the seat or shakes his or her head.
I don’t think I’ve had to stand any time that it isn’t the absolute jam-packed rush hour traffic where you can barely move your fingers. Sometimes I choose to stand, but I can’t remember having to.
They are very relevant. They are other examples of ways you could be as exceedingly polite as you are on a bus.
Just answer them and we’ll see if they are relevant.
Yes. And one can be a prick by arguing with someone who is correct.
I’m not sure what your circumstances at work are, but is there any chance you could recruit a coworker to travel with you? Perhaps they could snag seats on the bus or tube (if they could fine one), or act the part of concerned fellow passenger - Do you need to sit down? It sure looks like it! to try to shame other passengers up.
Just a thought. I feel for you though. I’ve ridden the tube as an able bodied person and it was a nightmare.
OP, these stories about the tube make me think that you really SHOULD consider using the services available to help those with a disability.
It may sound like overkill to you, and obviously you know better than I, but maybe consider it. Or talk to them or others who use the services and see what they say?
I’ll tell you, reading your story made me afraid that you could easily suffer a fall and serious injury. I’m worried for your safety!
I am so going to steal that! 
I have no suggestions, but I can definitely empathize. I have stood on way too many buses when I should have sat because of my RA. It is exhausting enough getting around some days, and the last thing I want is to explain to complete strangers, every damn day, “hey, pal, I iknow you didn’t notice I was disabled, but see how mangled my hands are? See how I limp and how I can’t straighten my arms? Look at me! Now give me your seat!”
It’s not something I have the energy or interest to do. I’d rather stand against the wall and just hope to be home soon than go through that every day.
I have a car and still have to explain to people I don’t even know why I am using a disabled parking permit when I am able to walk. People can be jerks. I am trying to stay as positive as I can and not discuss my disability at every opportunity, thankyouverymuch.
I hope you find a nice driver who will get you a seat without a lot of trouble. 
Sack up and ask for a seat if you need a seat. Ask people to let you pass so you can get to the seats if you have to. You don’t have to tell them your life story. Just tell them you need to sit down please.
How is that worse than standing there with a cutesy little button on hoping somebody notices it, reads it, and understands what message you’re trying to send with it.
Your hands don’t work. Your shoulders don’t work. Your knees don’t work. But guess what? Your voice works. Use it and get the fuck on with your life.
I couldn’t resist: Asking an African-American woman to give up a bus seat in the handicapped section makes me racist? - The BBQ Pit - Straight Dope Message Board
This. I mentioned using a station attendant in post #4, but the OP never acknowledged it. Also with the kneeling buses.
Another thought, SciFiSam, if telecommuting isn’t reasonable, I wonder if changing your shift times might be? If you can start an hour earlier and leave an hour earlier, I wonder if that might get you ahead of the most crowded part of the day on transit? I found a huge difference between boarding at 6:30am for a 7am shift (nearly empty) and boarding at 7:30am for an 8am shift (sardines).
Problem? I don’t have a problem. I think you might, though. Perhaps a mental disability? Sometimes those are harder to detect than physical ones. Not with you though. You make it abundantly evident.
And of course you care, sunshine, or you wouldn’t have taken the time to reply. Now stop trying to be a keyboard crusader and go drink your apple juice.
I have never ridden on a tube so I don’t know if this will work, but there are itty bitty three legged fold up chairs that can be carried over your shoulder. Would it work to carry that onto the tube and then sit on it there? I have one, and it is a blessing any time I have to walk too far.
OP, do the public transportation options in Merrie Olde Englande not have the ability to accommodate a Rascal, or other brand of motorized scooter? I know such things exist over there (on that side of the pond, that is), because I watched Waking Ned Devine.
Some pics for clarification. Those of you who are advocating asking are probably picturing something similar to this: non-crowded.
However, as the OP has said several times, she faces something more like this: crowded . As you can see, once she’s finally on, she would have to shout to the people surrounding her, who would then have to convey the message to those seated. This is especially hard as people on the tube congregate near the doors, rather than moving down inside the carriage. So it’s not a matter of politely asking somebody to give up their seat.
The seats are clearly labeled like this: sign. They say: “Priority seat for people who are disabled, pregnant or less able to stand.” I think the onus should be on the person choosing to sit in one, to ensure that there is nobody who needs the seat, throughout the journey. Of course real life doesn’t work like that, but it would be nice. (Not that it would necessarily help in the OP’s case, as somebody sitting would not be able to see her through the crowd.)
It doesn’t surprise me that in a thread about people with disabilities - started by someone who has one - you chose to use disability as an insult. Wow, you couldn’t be more rude.
Then you encounter another issue- last I was in London, not all tube stations were actually handicapped accessible. That’s what happens when you’re dealing with an essentially Victorian transport system.
I used the priority seats here when I was very heavily pregnant, and more than once got the death glare from some willowy creature in spike heels who wanted a sit down. Nope. Of course, we’ve got force of law here and a hierarchy of people who get the seats. Disabled veterans trump disabled civilians. Pregnant trumps carrying baby.
Yes - if people in a seat can’t even see the person with the disability, because she’s in a crowd, or can’t even tell she’s disabled, because it’s not obvious when she’s not moving around, how the hell are they going to know she’s there and needs the seat?
The solution is for her to simply speak up.