With the latest viral news about an airline passenger punching the back of a women’s reclining seat, here is my take on how to keep everyone happy.
First, of course, don’t be a douche.
Second, as a reminder: the back of the plane can be especially miserable for everyone. Not only are you going to be last in line for food and may not get the choice of meal that you want, but it’s usually crowded by people standing in line waiting to use the bathroom.
As people line up to use the two small laboratories, the laborious dance begins of shifting sides; twisting, turning in the aisle; squeezing, sucking everything inward to avoid being touched. But while the bathroom takers try to avoid each other, they inevitably rub or bump against the arms and shoulders of those unfortunate to have an aisle seat.
Besides the grossness of having derrieres swiped against a shirt, I also wonder if the position brings extra condensed exposure to sickness with everyone breathing and coughing so close together.
The other debate is whether to recline at all, anywhere on the plane. With an aching back, I used to wait until after reaching altitude to recline, welcoming the release in tension and allowing me to take a nap. After so many years of flying, I see seat reclining less and less. The more people travel, I think the more we realize how much it oppresses the person behind.
If you do choose to recline, the etiquette involves checking the person behind to ensure that they do not have knees that may be hurt, or a drink that might be spilled. All in all, I save the reclining feature for overseas flights when the lights go out and everyone is expected to sleep.
So if you have a seat in the back of the plane, be especially kind, and make a civil decision on whether to recline. Perhaps avoid putting your seat back. Be extra attentive to whom you inadvertently touch. And know that everyone is just as miserable as you, so go the extra mile to apply civility at all costs.
With all that said, yes, the man was clearly feeling entitled to physically abuse this woman and her chair. So part of me applauds the woman for videoing the behavior and fighting this case. And as a school teacher, I can only imagine what sort of petulant behavior she deals with on a daily basis, which makes it seem no wonder that she has so little tolerance for this dude.
Waunder 