Just want to add that it's quite presumptuous of the woman in the OP to expect a seat. You often can't tell jus by looking whether someone sitting has some physical problem (tired after long physical labor, cast recently taken off leg, recent leg surgery etc.)
Also, how someone asks for aseat (orany other favor) influences how I react. Passive aggression makes me far less likely to do anything. Ditto for loudly saying "where's (the subway, baggage claim, the dairy section.)" "Excuse me," "please," or a combination there of will have me help people new in town, tourists, etc. Otherwise, they get a shoulder shrug or "I dunno."
Also, how someone asks for aseat (orany other favor) influences how I react. Passive aggression makes me far less likely to do anything. Ditto for loudly saying "where's (the subway, baggage claim, the dairy section.)" "Excuse me," "please," or a combination there of will have me help people new in town, tourists, etc. Otherwise, they get a shoulder shrug or "I dunno."