I have no idea what they bought, I have to assume it was something that required the use of their tray table. Also on this particular LCC, there's no grey area between fully reclined and fully up - I suppose I should be lucky I get to recline at all.

I was definitely more annoyed with the f/a waking me up to put my seat back up than the actual act of having to put my seat up. If I'd been awake and asked nicely, I would have had no trouble doing it - although I never recline if I'm not snoozing.