Originally Posted by ermdjdsj
[snip]
3. If someone refuses to switch, please do NOT demand or even politely ask to know why they won't. Their bladder problems, claustrophobia, or whatever, are their business, and they shouldn't be put on the spot to explain why they won't move (however, it might not hurt to offer them $20 to switch, if they're in coach and refuse
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Thank you for saying that!! I know this thread is primarily about swapping seats in coach, but I had a somewhat annoying experience last week in first. I was in 5E and the pax in 5F asked me to swap with her friend in 6A. I politely said no. Said pax huffed and puffed then got on her cell phone to her boyfriend and loudly complained that she couldn't sit next to her friend "cause the guy next me won't swap". I think it's rather selfish and boorish to expect the world to always do your bidding. So if someone refuses your seat request, be gracious about it and see it as a case of c'est la vie.