Proper Ettiquete?
Aug 2, 2018, 6:30 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: Marriott Titanium, , Delta 2MM & DM UA Gold
Posts: 299
Proper Ettiquete?
Question to the forum. Was "upgraded" to Comfort+ in the middle seat. A couple had seats on aisle and window. They proceeded to pass things back and forth on the plane quite often and talked to each other. I know they have the right to do so, but what it typical proper etiquette? I would have thought that its ok to plan aisle and window and if someone shows up to move so you can be together and not have someone hear things back and forth.
It is what it is, but just like to hear thoughts
It is what it is, but just like to hear thoughts
Aug 2, 2018, 6:32 pm
#2
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
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Posts: 21,371
Question to the forum. Was "upgraded" to Comfort+ in the middle seat. A couple had seats on aisle and window. They proceeded to pass things back and forth on the plane quite often and talked to each other. I know they have the right to do so, but what it typical proper etiquette? I would have thought that its ok to plan aisle and window and if someone shows up to move so you can be together and not have someone hear things back and forth.
It is what it is, but just like to hear thoughts
It is what it is, but just like to hear thoughts
is it mandatory (or should it be expected, by the person who gets the middle)? — absolutely no
is it nice if they offer? — yes
is it ok to ask them? — I certainly wouldn’t, but I don’t speak for anyone else
Last edited by jrl767; Aug 2, 2018 at 6:38 pm
Aug 2, 2018, 6:33 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,227
I would keep asking them if they would like to sit together. Like, each and every time they did that. Are you SURE you don't want to trade seats? Are you SURE you don't want to sit together? Are you SURE you wouldn't be more comfortable switching seats? Maybe start answering when they talk to each other. Or just generally be a passive aggressive pain in the butt, without ever actually seeming rude.
Eventually they would either stop being rude, or switch seats.
Eventually they would either stop being rude, or switch seats.
Aug 2, 2018, 6:36 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: BNA
Programs: DL GM, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,027
Question to the forum. Was "upgraded" to Comfort+ in the middle seat. A couple had seats on aisle and window. They proceeded to pass things back and forth on the plane quite often and talked to each other. I know they have the right to do so, but what it typical proper etiquette? I would have thought that its ok to plan aisle and window and if someone shows up to move so you can be together and not have someone hear things back and forth.
It is what it is, but just like to hear thoughts
It is what it is, but just like to hear thoughts
Aug 2, 2018, 6:41 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 277
It’d be one thing if the person in the window asks the aisle to grab them stuff out of the overhead bin, but if they were regularly passing food and stuff in front of me I’d probably get annoyed, say “thanks”, and start grabbing and eating it. ��
Aug 2, 2018, 6:44 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,227
If they kept passing food in front of you, a couple well timed sneezes would solve that. If they pass items, you could suddenly flinch and knock it out of their hands and apologize muttering something about special forces training and war zone flashbacks.
Possibilities are endless!
Possibilities are endless!
Aug 2, 2018, 7:08 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,374
If they are non-rev passengers, they aren't allowed to ask other passengers to switch seats. But you can make the request, and they can accept.
Non-rev or not, absolutely it's rude to do what they did, although they could have been oblivious to the annoyance to you. With 20/20 hindsight I say you should have spoken up ("Hey folks, this back-and-forth is getting old, would one of you mind switching seats.")
Non-rev or not, absolutely it's rude to do what they did, although they could have been oblivious to the annoyance to you. With 20/20 hindsight I say you should have spoken up ("Hey folks, this back-and-forth is getting old, would one of you mind switching seats.")
Aug 2, 2018, 7:19 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 258
What are they passing? I fly with my wife a lot next to me but can’t think of anything we have passed to each other. Generally we board, head phone up, and take after we land. If she wants something she better have brought it. :-)
About the only reason we sit next to each other is because she does not feel bad making me get up for a trip to the lav.
About the only reason we sit next to each other is because she does not feel bad making me get up for a trip to the lav.
Aug 2, 2018, 7:42 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
What are they passing? I fly with my wife a lot next to me but can’t think of anything we have passed to each other. Generally we board, head phone up, and take after we land. If she wants something she better have brought it. :-)
About the only reason we sit next to each other is because she does not feel bad making me get up for a trip to the lav.
About the only reason we sit next to each other is because she does not feel bad making me get up for a trip to the lav.
Marriage counseling?
Aug 2, 2018, 7:50 pm
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SEA
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Personally, I think it common courtesy to have one of you move to the middle. If you choose not to, any communication and passing stuff over the middle seat should be kept to a bare minimum.
Aug 2, 2018, 7:54 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Somewhere
Programs: Delta Plat
Posts: 3,363
This happened to me on a flight once. It was a last minute buy from JFK to Dusseldorf on AirBerlin about 7 years ago.
I got stuck in a middle seat and the guy next to me and the chick at the window appeared to know each other and speaking German.
I pulled out the free playboy and started making comments like mmmm, wow, nice. Eventually, the dude switched seats with me.
I got stuck in a middle seat and the guy next to me and the chick at the window appeared to know each other and speaking German.
I pulled out the free playboy and started making comments like mmmm, wow, nice. Eventually, the dude switched seats with me.
Aug 2, 2018, 7:55 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 258
planes are loud enough. I can’t think of a worse place to try and carry on conversations. I just head phone and ipad it until flight is over. Will switch to the delta screen during the meal.
Aug 2, 2018, 8:11 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
While I am usually meticulously equitable in my use of arm rest space, in this case I would have colonized every square inch and also engaged in some serious manspreading. And probably watched a film on my phone without using headphones.
Aug 2, 2018, 8:20 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 1,589
I think it is your loss because you got a middle seat. Next time fly first class or be prepared to deal with this sort of thing: coach class people are gross.
You are very welcome to meet them in grossness, sneeze in their food and participate in the conversation, give marriage advice, etc. That’s what happens in coach anyway. Don’t worry about étiquette (this is how to spell it, there is no alternative). Etiquette (note there is no accent when you capitalize) belongs to the other side of the curtain and then... probably not on a US airline.
You are very welcome to meet them in grossness, sneeze in their food and participate in the conversation, give marriage advice, etc. That’s what happens in coach anyway. Don’t worry about étiquette (this is how to spell it, there is no alternative). Etiquette (note there is no accent when you capitalize) belongs to the other side of the curtain and then... probably not on a US airline.