I have shushed a few and wanted to shush many. Mostly, I just glare. The few times I've actually shushed, it was on a long-haul overnight flight when the pax should be sleeping. In one instance, I had work to do upon arrival, and in the best of circumstances would have gotten at most five hours of sleep en route. Chatting excitedly and loudly with family across the aisle was one thing during the first couple hours of flight when the FA's are doing cabin service, but with lights out halfway across the Atlantic, chatting loudly enough to awaken fellow passengers defintely warrants a great big SHUSH.

I had a Loud Talker in the row behind me on a transcon flight earlier this week. Youngish guy. Recent law student. Didn't understand his Contracts professor, who was too new to do anything right. Was first in his class to pass the California bar. Uncertain of his job prospects. Evidently single. Hadn't been to SFO in several years. Generally liked 757's, though he'd been on 737's a lot lately. Found himself fairly funny. Could have sworn that he was trying to make a pass at the lady next to him, 'til I saw that she was 80 if she was a day. The incessant Elmer Fudd laugh almost earned him a great big shush. But it was a daytime flight and I couldn't bring myself to do it.

Gotta agree with the others here. If you've been shushed more than once, the problem might be with you.