Originally Posted by
MEMLawGuy
That is an absolute absurdity. Of course someone can "politely" ask if you might be willing to switch seats with them. Is it technically an imposition on you -- sure. You have to stand up and then move and then sit back down. As some here say: "HEAVENS TO BETSY!" You might even have to take your iPad out of the seat back pocket and move it too.
Of course you have every right to say no. And say no in whatever manner you choose. But painting the picture of you politely saying no as being proper and within your "rights" is a fallacy for supporting your assertion that there is no such thing as a polite request.
But if you can't be bothered to move from 3C to 2C because you consider the thought of even being asked impolite, then you must live a tough existence. Are you the same person who stakes out the spot right by the luggage belt at baggage claim and would refuse to move over to allow someone to claim their bag because their polite "excuse me, please" is an imposition on you to move over 2-3 steps? After all, you'll probably never see that person again, right?
As another poster illustrated, no matter how polite the language used, the unchangeable fact that it is an imposition of a more than minimal degree (unlike your baggage claim example using false equivalence) to a complete stranger makes it impolite. Like cutting in line but saying "excuse me" while doing it. It may not put you out much to be cut by one position in line..the person may be nice..but they are still cutting in line and the matter of principle comes up.
No, I won't switch from 2C to 3C...and I don't need to justify it. I shouldn't be arsed to move if I don't want to. It's not a tough existence by any means to stay where you are and remain settled. It's easier. The requestors problem is not my problem and by not having it effect me, I have an easier existence.