I think that seats on short-haul do not need to recline, a policy adopted by easyJet and Ryanair with which I am pleased. However, I think on a long-haul most people want to recline, I certainly do.

I don't tend to find, even though I am quite tall, that that makes all that much difference to my comfort so long as I can recline as well. However, what I would ask is that anyone in front of me who does wish to recline does so slowly or says they are about to do so first, as that allows me to change my position to allow it. Otherwise, it can be rather painful. The same applies to raising the stupidly-designed armrests on 737s that cut into knee-room.

I was on a National Express coach (bus) last weekend, and I noted that the automated welcome announcement included a request to passengers that they should be considerate when reclining their seats to avoid causing injury or damaged items on tray tables. I thought that was a good idea. Everyone has the right to recline, but also the responsibility to check that they don't hit anything, and if necessary request politely[1] the person behind to move the item/themselves a bit to accommodate it before doing so.

[1] Though there are almost no reasons in this case for such a request to be reasonably denied, there is no harm in being polite.

Neil