Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: 42.1% in PDX , 49.9% in PVG & 8% in the air somewhere prior to COVID. Now ~ 3% in the air going somewhere
Programs: Marriott Ambassador Elite & Lifetime Platinum, UA 1K, AS MVP GLD 75K, DL Pt, SWA A-List Preferred
Posts: 1,124
When one flies in the ever shrinking seat pitch, nobody should be surprised. Look at how we vote with our purchases for where we fly, always the cheapest, why should we expect anything but the cheapest experiences.
That being said, courtesy and sympathy is something we should all maintain when crammed together, whether 1 hour or 14 hours. A nice request with a good reason is rarely ignored by reasonably people.
Sounds like the passenger behind was neither reasonable, nor nice so no reason to feel bad.
For meals it makes a lot of sense for both side to have the seat up, rarely saw it more comfortable and smart to be "reclining" in this confined space and trying to eat.
Seats recline for a reason, for the passenger to use, if the one behind needs a bit more room, they can also recline too, call it "even" LOL