skywardhunter

Considering the many other threads on this topic that exist on FT I'd guess you're not the only one

SuperG1955

My response is " I selected this seat because I don't sit in window seats or at bulkheads." I can only think of 2 occasions where I was offered like for like. I accepted both of those, especially the Y to F offer.

When my wife and I travel together, we're almost always in F. Most of the time we sit together but when we're upgraded from Y because the F buy up was too expensive we're always apart. Invariably, someone offers to change so that we can sit together. We always thank them but decline, explaining that we spend enough time together and enjoy meeting new people.

skywardhunter

....um?

Saint4805

Absolutely no need to give an explanation for saying no and it's incredibly rude of the requester to seek one. I know a guy who prefers an aisle seat because he has bladder problem and wants easy access to the toilet. That's nobody's business but his. I will trade if it's like for like or better but most of the time it's down to people being disorganized and checking late after most preferred seats have been selected.

kipper

I just say no. If they are nice about it, I'll just say, "Sorry, I'm not comfortable switching seats at this point."

Often1

There are already a number of the same threads on FT. Why start a new one? Also, what does this have to do with DL unless DL is part of the conspiracy to annoy OP?

There is nothing wrong with someone politely asking one to switch seats. If you are willing to do so, just say "yes" and move. If you are not willing to do so, an equally polite "no" or it's equivalent is all that is necessary. No need to make up silly juvenile reasons. No explanation is required. The most I would say is, "thank you for asking, but I am fine where I am."

If the asker persists or is rude, either ignore them or repeat the exact words used before. There is no reason to engage and no need to feel intimidated.

pvn

Sure, that's their problem. People get huffy about all sorts of stuff on airplanes.

What is the "correct" number?

angra

I always say "No, thanks" to unsolicited requests for me to give something that I don't chose to give. The "thanks" really throws most people into silence.

SamOF

Yes, being snarky any time anyone asks you something might throw people into silence. Any reason to do that?

kop84

I've never minded when a couple wants to sit aisle/window leaving a random person in the middle, but then you need to respect the middle seat and not be trying to chat the whole flight or pass things back and forth a bunch. (Not you specifically, but anyone who does this) It's already bad enough sitting in the middle, no need to compound the misery by talking over someone for possibly multiple hours.

angra

interesting that you presume it's snarky. perhaps that is a reflection on the society in which we live.

so, I guess the answer to your question would be "no" there is no need to be snarky any time anyone asks me something.

SamOF

I must be missing something--what other reason is there to say "no, thank you" when someone is asking you for something?

nrr

Reading the NYTimes say (fully opened) when sitting between them can cut the chat(ter).

angra

probably wandering way off topic, but I didn't say that I said that anytime someone asks me something, only when someone asks me for something that I don't wish to give. Said with a genuine smile, I have found it to be the most effective way of communicating "no" without also attaching some implied judgment (either to the requester or myself) for either the request or the denial, and reframing what is otherwise a conflict and potentially adversarial interaction (hey stranger, give me this / hey stranger, you should give me this) into a more cooperative/friendly one (hey stranger, would you like to give me this?).

The vast majority of my interactions that follow this pattern have resulted in friendlier and defused interactions. It is really only the people with out of control anger and entitlement that seem to take it as some sort of affront. The only times I have had negative interactions after saying "no, thank you" have been when at least one party to the conversation has already lost control of their emotions.

GRALISTAIR

Yep !