Man stands inches from me for an hour talking to passenger in window seat!
Dec 19, 2014, 3:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 105
Man stands inches from me for an hour talking to passenger in window seat!
I am sitting in an aisle seat flying back from South America on a long tiring international flight. I don't know the person in the middle or window seat.
I was dozing off but was woken by the voice of a loud Spanish speaking man who is suddenly standing inches from me speaking loudly to his friend who is sitting in the window seat. While he speaks he grabs on to the top of my aisle seat. He speaks very loudly and appears to be drunk.
First I thought it would be a conversation for a few minutes but it goes on and on and on and on! I don't speak Spanish and the loud man standing next to me does not speak any English. He continues this loud aggressive conversation with the man at the window seat.
I try to get him to move on. I stare at him, ask him to move on and touch is arm, all designed to tell him he is bothering me. He completely ignores me and continues this loud conversation.
After about a half hour, I go back to the galley and ask the Flight Attendants if they can move the man along. They tell me because the fasten seat belt sign is not on, and the flight attendants are not serving dinner, the man has the right to stand in the aisle inches from me as long as he wants.
He eventually moves on about an hour later. Was I wrong for being bothered and complaining? Should the Flight Attendants have told the man to move on and return to his seat? IF it bothered you how would you handle it if the flight attendants refused to act?
I was dozing off but was woken by the voice of a loud Spanish speaking man who is suddenly standing inches from me speaking loudly to his friend who is sitting in the window seat. While he speaks he grabs on to the top of my aisle seat. He speaks very loudly and appears to be drunk.
First I thought it would be a conversation for a few minutes but it goes on and on and on and on! I don't speak Spanish and the loud man standing next to me does not speak any English. He continues this loud aggressive conversation with the man at the window seat.
I try to get him to move on. I stare at him, ask him to move on and touch is arm, all designed to tell him he is bothering me. He completely ignores me and continues this loud conversation.
After about a half hour, I go back to the galley and ask the Flight Attendants if they can move the man along. They tell me because the fasten seat belt sign is not on, and the flight attendants are not serving dinner, the man has the right to stand in the aisle inches from me as long as he wants.
He eventually moves on about an hour later. Was I wrong for being bothered and complaining? Should the Flight Attendants have told the man to move on and return to his seat? IF it bothered you how would you handle it if the flight attendants refused to act?
Last edited by librarygal; Dec 19, 2014 at 3:58 pm
Dec 19, 2014, 4:11 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2009
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Dec 19, 2014, 7:32 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 34
Depending on several factors (his seat, ability to communicate, amount of carryon), I might offer to trade seats with him so he could continue chatting with his friend without disturbing me. But I'm that guy who is always willing to accommodate as long as I'm not too inconvenienced.
Dec 19, 2014, 7:47 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: AA EXP, UA Prem Exec, HH Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 93
Wow, you guys are quite nice.
Here's my way:
1) I would have asked them if they could have this conversation near the galley or facilities, perhaps mentioning it's easier to get [booze, food, snacks, water, whatever] there.
2) If that didn't work, I'd mention I'm trying to sleep and it's pretty annoying.
3) If that didn't work, I'd get up and check the [overhead bin, seatback pocket, bag tucked under the seat, bathroom occupancy status lights, etc)for a moment then asking the gentleman to move again sit down.
4) If that didn't work, repeat step 3 taking more time before
5) Never needed a step 5
Here's my way:
1) I would have asked them if they could have this conversation near the galley or facilities, perhaps mentioning it's easier to get [booze, food, snacks, water, whatever] there.
2) If that didn't work, I'd mention I'm trying to sleep and it's pretty annoying.
3) If that didn't work, I'd get up and check the [overhead bin, seatback pocket, bag tucked under the seat, bathroom occupancy status lights, etc)for a moment then asking the gentleman to move again sit down.
4) If that didn't work, repeat step 3 taking more time before
5) Never needed a step 5
Dec 19, 2014, 8:56 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2004
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Dec 19, 2014, 11:01 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
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Posts: 6,531
I'm afraid this is one of those unfair differences between the sexes that shouldn't matter but do. In a similar situation, I would put up with it for a few minutes then stand up (6'5", 280 lbs) and ask the guy politely to move along. If that didn't work, I'd tell him in my quiet but rather intimidating, retired LEO manner. I rarely have to "ask" twice. I suspect the OP wouldn't be able to use my method.
I'd be interested in knowing if this was on a South American or US-flagged carrier. It would seem that a complaint from a female passenger of being made uncomfortable by uninvited close attentions of a somewhat liquored up male who is seated in another part of the plane would get a better response from the FAs. I realize there are cultural differences but nonetheless, the airlines do have some responsibility to the female passengers.
I'd be interested in knowing if this was on a South American or US-flagged carrier. It would seem that a complaint from a female passenger of being made uncomfortable by uninvited close attentions of a somewhat liquored up male who is seated in another part of the plane would get a better response from the FAs. I realize there are cultural differences but nonetheless, the airlines do have some responsibility to the female passengers.
Dec 20, 2014, 1:17 am
#13
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Dec 20, 2014, 3:04 am
#14
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