Originally Posted by
Tizzette
When people wind up with separated seats, I wish they would just accept that's their luck and accept it unless there is a really good reason to need seats together, such as traveling with a small child. Not just want seats together but NEED seats together. It imposing on people to ask them to change seats and putting them on the spot. If you refuse, you are the bad guy. If you don't refuse and wind up with a lesser seat, you feel like a chump.
Is asking really imposing, though? A simple "no thanks" takes care of it.
It seems there are two main issues discussed ITT. One is the obvious one -- the demanding/poaching requester. The other, though, seems to be when the person being asked politely is uncomfortable declining.
Saying 'no' and not feeling bad about it is an important life skill. If there's one good takeaway from this thread for everyone, hopefully it is comfort in declining.