Screen etiquette - should I be offended?
Feb 13, 2019, 12:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 153
Screen etiquette - should I be offended?
Hubby and I are sitting in the middle seats in Club World. Person sitting in aisle seat facing me walks up and before doing anything else immediately puts the screen up - before sitting down or removing bag from shoulder or anything.
Crew haven't handed out water, amenities, menus, drinks or anything so it inconveniences them. There isn't much of a view from the centre seats but now we cannot see anything out of one side. I did lower the screen when we were taking off so we could see out but he didn't look happy about that.
I'm quite happy for people to put up the screen but it was just that he did it before doing anything else which just seemed incredibly rude.
Is this normal behaviour or was this person just a rude git?
Crew haven't handed out water, amenities, menus, drinks or anything so it inconveniences them. There isn't much of a view from the centre seats but now we cannot see anything out of one side. I did lower the screen when we were taking off so we could see out but he didn't look happy about that.
I'm quite happy for people to put up the screen but it was just that he did it before doing anything else which just seemed incredibly rude.
Is this normal behaviour or was this person just a rude git?
Feb 13, 2019, 12:24 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,449
Completely normal behaviour I would say / it’s certainly what I would do the moment I saw down. One of the unwritten CW rules is that anyone can put the divider up, any time. Having experienced an over enthusiastic talker many years ago I have no desire to be caught by another one jabbering at me face on 😱 Not suggesting you are one of those of course!
One of the risks or benefits of the middle pairs (depending on POV) is that you are shut off from the cabin.
One of the risks or benefits of the middle pairs (depending on POV) is that you are shut off from the cabin.
Feb 13, 2019, 12:25 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: southampton
Programs: BAEC GGL, Virgin Silver, Marriott Platinum, HH diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 257
I didn’t even know you could put it up that early as I always assume they don’t work until after the safety demo. I admit I will put the screen up as early as possible. I hate the awkward avoiding staring into each other’s eyes. Plus gives people a chance to start talking to you which is not something I am always in the mood for.
So so no I don’t think it’s rude. That’s what they are there for.
So so no I don’t think it’s rude. That’s what they are there for.
Feb 13, 2019, 12:26 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Balham - Gateway to The South
Programs: BA Bronze
Posts: 2,020
I feel extremely uncomfortable with a stranger facing me and would smile and put the screen up.
Offically (I think) it only needs to be down for the safety briefing- I don’t think it was incredibly rude- but to acknowledge the person on the other side might have been a little more polite.
That being said if you were in a middle pair it might have been a moot point as the aisle pair(s) might have had their screen(s) up which would have also blocked your view.
Offically (I think) it only needs to be down for the safety briefing- I don’t think it was incredibly rude- but to acknowledge the person on the other side might have been a little more polite.
That being said if you were in a middle pair it might have been a moot point as the aisle pair(s) might have had their screen(s) up which would have also blocked your view.
Feb 13, 2019, 12:28 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 153
I'm quite happy about the divider going up - its just putting it up before you even get to your seat that bothered me. I would at least sit down first!
I also do not want to interact with the other passenger but personally I would at least smile or say hello before doing it!
I also do not want to interact with the other passenger but personally I would at least smile or say hello before doing it!
Feb 13, 2019, 12:29 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: All the usual suspects
Posts: 342
The screen coupled with the forward backward seating arrangement seems designed as some sort of social experiment on how people will react.
I wouldn't say it was abnormal or especially rude, its public transport and different people behave in different ways in different circumstances. Personally I hate having the screen down but I never put it up until the safety briefing is complete, primarily because that is what BA ask you to do. I usually put it up with a smile or some comment, but I certainly don't want it down any longer than necessary. I suspect that some people find it very awkward, to be half staring at a complete stranger from a distance of around 3 feet, me I just want the privacy.
I just had 8000 avios deposited into my account for a non-functioning screen.
I wouldn't say it was abnormal or especially rude, its public transport and different people behave in different ways in different circumstances. Personally I hate having the screen down but I never put it up until the safety briefing is complete, primarily because that is what BA ask you to do. I usually put it up with a smile or some comment, but I certainly don't want it down any longer than necessary. I suspect that some people find it very awkward, to be half staring at a complete stranger from a distance of around 3 feet, me I just want the privacy.
I just had 8000 avios deposited into my account for a non-functioning screen.
Feb 13, 2019, 12:38 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SYD, GOT
Programs: BA GGL; SK EBG; QF LTG; Hilton Diamond, A-Club Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,727
Worst CW flight of my life was wife someone who claimed they needed the screen down to cabin crew (they were in an aisle!) as they were claustrophobic and proceeded to try and engage in conversation most of the flight.
Screen goes up early. As said earlier it is a weird social experiment. And curious for a British airline...
Screen goes up early. As said earlier it is a weird social experiment. And curious for a British airline...
Feb 13, 2019, 12:38 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Berkshire
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold, GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Accor Plat, Pucci Fan Club
Posts: 1,779
I always ask the person in the other seat if they mind if I put the divider up and no one ever refuses.
it doesn’t cost anything to be polite. if someone had done what you experienced I probably would have thought that was a bit rude too... for a split second and then forgotten about it!
it doesn’t cost anything to be polite. if someone had done what you experienced I probably would have thought that was a bit rude too... for a split second and then forgotten about it!
Feb 13, 2019, 12:41 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883