Let me give my opinion on this matter.

I believe in nice things happen to nice people. I also believe in (and this is probably a negative side of me but I have difficulty changing it): I deserve respect and politeness, I will not tolerate rude people.

With this being said I have not yet had any unpleasant incident with any rude person in the air. When some elite member comes in from coach before take-off and places his large carry-on in my business overhead bin, he first put it in, then looks at me and shows that he does not think that I (19) should be in business, then he asks if I need the overhead bin. The man is wrong and maybe a little rude - but since I don't have carry-on it isn't worth bothering, wrong as he may be. I let him. Who cares.

Another example: having just boarded a terribly hot flight (temperature - not attractive) I look at the people boarding. A dangerous-looking hillbilly enters. My mind goes: please, let him sit ANYWHERE but in the seat next to me. Of course he has the seat in the middle next to me. He has his girlfriend with him. I think, Oh no. He looks out the window at take-off - he keeps looking (at me I think). Then he asks could I keep the window open a little while longer, it is his first flight. The sun is shining in at me, it is very uncomfortable. I say Yes. Five minutes later he has watched enough. I close the window, he is happy, I am happy - I have a pleasent flight.

Generally: If I see the person in front of me is going to recline, I block with my knees so they cannot do so. It usually works. I think this is okay since it is not feeling that good when I have the frontseat on my knees - probably unhealthy too. If I can, I do recline, but I do it slowly, and of course never at melas: it's difficult to eat as it is in coach already, the last thing I need is even more space between me and the food.

HOWEVER: Usually I go to sleep as fast as I can. The only way I can really endure flying coach. I can sleep even if not reclined but nicer of reclined of course. If sleeping is difficult: I take some pills. I normally don't take pills but since being awake in coach for more than 1-2 hours is pure torture to me, I really don't mind.