I generally prefer to not recline.

If the person in front of me reclines, I immediately recline. If the person in back of me then comments, I reply that it's domino effect and to speak to the person in front of me.

For me, a big part of the problem is that the seat back in front intrudes into my space without notice. The suddenness is so invasive my immediate reaction is strong anger and retaliation strategies instead of a calmer compromise/mediation approach.

What bothers me even more is woman with long hair whose hair is over the seat back in my space and men who cross their arms behind their head and rest a hand on the seat back.

Space/territory becomes even more important when one is herded through impersonal boarding processes.

Sylvia, flying international Saturday in coach