Originally Posted by
Proudelitist
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.
Your repeated references to false equivalencies are not entirely accurate and a red herring from the overall point I'm making.
I'm not saying you're out of line for saying no. To each their own. But your justification of saying no because all requests are impolite because they somehow "impose" on you is totally bogus.
In fact, if the imposition is that you want to "stay where you are and remain settled" because it's "easier", then you should welcome the exact situation I posed, with one minor modification, --- you approach 3C only to see someone already there and they politely ask you before you get to the seat if you wouldn't mind taking 2C so they can sit with their travel companion. Look at that! You don't have to move any further. You save steps. You don't even have to get up and then sit back down. Now that's "easier." But you're saying you're going to say no because THAT request is an imposition on you?
Unless you are diagnosed OCD or have some superstition about sitting in 3C that you must appease (and maybe you do, and that's certainly a legit reason -- but not what you've said), then refusing the request simply because it was made is, IMHO, rather petty and baseless. But if that's how you want to treat people, have at it. You know what they say...
