Kid behavior onboard – how would you have dealt with it?
Aug 20, 2019, 8:32 am
#1
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Kid behavior onboard – how would you have dealt with it?
On a quite recent CE flight back to LHR….
Family of 6 sitting as follows: Mum (1A), Dad (1C), Kid n1 (2A), Kid n2 (2C), Kid n3 (2D) Kid n4 (2F).
If I were one of the parents I would have preferred to sit in 2A/C together with my partner to get a better overview of the 4 kids (side-wise and in front). I was sitting in 1F.
I was the last boarding and before I sat down I saw Kid n4 sitting behind me without shoes and with both his feet on both my armrests.
Quite smelly feet to be honest, it was a hot day in Italy and I’m not sure for how long the kid had been walking. During the flight his feet touch my elbows / arms several times.
Parents were enjoying their iPads and drinking booze all time, no kind of interaction whatsoever with the kids, all kids had their own iPad too (I recon the age ranged between 6 and 10). In the lounge, kids were playing and entertaining themselves with food – wasting most of it and throwing it in the bins straight away – again parents didn’t say a word.
What would you have done to fix the smelly and "touching" feet situation?
a) Live with it
b) Reach out to the smelly kid
c) Reach out to the busy parents
d) Reach out to professional cabin crew
Looking forward to hearing your point of view
Family of 6 sitting as follows: Mum (1A), Dad (1C), Kid n1 (2A), Kid n2 (2C), Kid n3 (2D) Kid n4 (2F).
If I were one of the parents I would have preferred to sit in 2A/C together with my partner to get a better overview of the 4 kids (side-wise and in front). I was sitting in 1F.
I was the last boarding and before I sat down I saw Kid n4 sitting behind me without shoes and with both his feet on both my armrests.
Quite smelly feet to be honest, it was a hot day in Italy and I’m not sure for how long the kid had been walking. During the flight his feet touch my elbows / arms several times.
Parents were enjoying their iPads and drinking booze all time, no kind of interaction whatsoever with the kids, all kids had their own iPad too (I recon the age ranged between 6 and 10). In the lounge, kids were playing and entertaining themselves with food – wasting most of it and throwing it in the bins straight away – again parents didn’t say a word.
What would you have done to fix the smelly and "touching" feet situation?
a) Live with it
b) Reach out to the smelly kid
c) Reach out to the busy parents
d) Reach out to professional cabin crew
Looking forward to hearing your point of view
Aug 20, 2019, 8:38 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Gold, HH
Posts: 261
On a quite recent CE flight back to LHR….
Family of 6 sitting as follows: Mum (1A), Dad (1C), Kid n1 (2A), Kid n2 (2C), Kid n3 (2D) Kid n4 (2F).
If I were one of the parents I would have preferred to sit in 2A/C together with my partner to get a better overview of the 4 kids (side-wise and in front). I was sitting in 1F.
I was the last boarding and before I sat down I saw Kid n4 sitting behind me without shoes and with both his feet on both my armrests.
Quite smelly feet to be honest, it was a hot day in Italy and I’m not sure for how long the kid had been walking. During the flight his feet touch my elbows / arms several times.
Parents were enjoying their iPads and drinking booze all time, no kind of interaction whatsoever with the kids, all kids had their own iPad too (I recon the age ranged between 6 and 10). In the lounge, kids were playing and entertaining themselves with food – wasting most of it and throwing it in the bins straight away – again parents didn’t say a word.
What would you have done to fix the smelly and "touching" feet situation?
a) Live with it
b) Reach out to the smelly kid
c) Reach out to the busy parents
d) Reach out to professional cabin crew
Looking forward to hearing your point of view
Family of 6 sitting as follows: Mum (1A), Dad (1C), Kid n1 (2A), Kid n2 (2C), Kid n3 (2D) Kid n4 (2F).
If I were one of the parents I would have preferred to sit in 2A/C together with my partner to get a better overview of the 4 kids (side-wise and in front). I was sitting in 1F.
I was the last boarding and before I sat down I saw Kid n4 sitting behind me without shoes and with both his feet on both my armrests.
Quite smelly feet to be honest, it was a hot day in Italy and I’m not sure for how long the kid had been walking. During the flight his feet touch my elbows / arms several times.
Parents were enjoying their iPads and drinking booze all time, no kind of interaction whatsoever with the kids, all kids had their own iPad too (I recon the age ranged between 6 and 10). In the lounge, kids were playing and entertaining themselves with food – wasting most of it and throwing it in the bins straight away – again parents didn’t say a word.
What would you have done to fix the smelly and "touching" feet situation?
a) Live with it
b) Reach out to the smelly kid
c) Reach out to the busy parents
d) Reach out to professional cabin crew
Looking forward to hearing your point of view
I have two kids (which is easier), but my spouse and I will never sit together, we sit next to one of the kids.
In this circumstance, I feel that the crew should be reaching out to you, as opposed to you having to reach out to them.
I would have thought that they see this frequently and therefore should react accordingly rather than you having to have any confrontation with the parents.
Last edited by Prospero; Aug 20, 2019 at 2:41 pm Reason: Unite quote and response into single post
Aug 20, 2019, 8:49 am
#3
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With a huge grin I’d have poured a full glass of coke and ice over the head of the smelly child, after stabbing his foot with a pen prior, of course
Aug 20, 2019, 8:57 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2013
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Posts: 1,448
On a quite recent CE flight back to LHR….
Family of 6 sitting as follows: Mum (1A), Dad (1C), Kid n1 (2A), Kid n2 (2C), Kid n3 (2D) Kid n4 (2F).
If I were one of the parents I would have preferred to sit in 2A/C together with my partner to get a better overview of the 4 kids (side-wise and in front). I was sitting in 1F.
I was the last boarding and before I sat down I saw Kid n4 sitting behind me without shoes and with both his feet on both my armrests.
Quite smelly feet to be honest, it was a hot day in Italy and I’m not sure for how long the kid had been walking. During the flight his feet touch my elbows / arms several times.
Parents were enjoying their iPads and drinking booze all time, no kind of interaction whatsoever with the kids, all kids had their own iPad too (I recon the age ranged between 6 and 10). In the lounge, kids were playing and entertaining themselves with food – wasting most of it and throwing it in the bins straight away – again parents didn’t say a word.
What would you have done to fix the smelly and "touching" feet situation?
a) Live with it
b) Reach out to the smelly kid
c) Reach out to the busy parents
d) Reach out to professional cabin crew
Looking forward to hearing your point of view
Family of 6 sitting as follows: Mum (1A), Dad (1C), Kid n1 (2A), Kid n2 (2C), Kid n3 (2D) Kid n4 (2F).
If I were one of the parents I would have preferred to sit in 2A/C together with my partner to get a better overview of the 4 kids (side-wise and in front). I was sitting in 1F.
I was the last boarding and before I sat down I saw Kid n4 sitting behind me without shoes and with both his feet on both my armrests.
Quite smelly feet to be honest, it was a hot day in Italy and I’m not sure for how long the kid had been walking. During the flight his feet touch my elbows / arms several times.
Parents were enjoying their iPads and drinking booze all time, no kind of interaction whatsoever with the kids, all kids had their own iPad too (I recon the age ranged between 6 and 10). In the lounge, kids were playing and entertaining themselves with food – wasting most of it and throwing it in the bins straight away – again parents didn’t say a word.
What would you have done to fix the smelly and "touching" feet situation?
a) Live with it
b) Reach out to the smelly kid
c) Reach out to the busy parents
d) Reach out to professional cabin crew
Looking forward to hearing your point of view
Aug 20, 2019, 9:05 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, IHG Platinum
Posts: 942
Little point engaging with the parents when they are clearly disinterested - speak to the cabin crew.
One of the problems here is that I've no doubt the parents in this case would become instantly defensive if the behaviour of their kids was pointed out by a fellow passenger. Maybe they would react differently (perhaps out of embarrassment) if the crew have a word.
Kids won't always behave and that's nature, but there is no excuse for inactive parenting. It can be very annoying for sure but as long as the parents are trying it's understandable.
One of the problems here is that I've no doubt the parents in this case would become instantly defensive if the behaviour of their kids was pointed out by a fellow passenger. Maybe they would react differently (perhaps out of embarrassment) if the crew have a word.
Kids won't always behave and that's nature, but there is no excuse for inactive parenting. It can be very annoying for sure but as long as the parents are trying it's understandable.
Aug 20, 2019, 9:13 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2008
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I'd have politely just asked the kid to take his feet of my armrest. That's always worked for me in similar situations. I'd only get the crew involved if the parents took umbrage.
Aug 20, 2019, 9:14 am
#12
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Some parents will have the courtesy to position a little seat kicker behind one of themselves so that other passengers aren't disturbed, also having at least two of the kids sitting behind them might have been a considerate move.
Aug 20, 2019, 9:25 am
#13
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Aug 20, 2019, 9:25 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,578
The level of passive aggressiveness on this board always astonishes me...
What about a "Would you mind not putting your feet on my armrests?"
I'm sure that works. Also teaches the kids a thing or two about how their behaviour affects other people.
Afterwards, thank them for removing their feet - reinforces positive behaviour.
What about a "Would you mind not putting your feet on my armrests?"
I'm sure that works. Also teaches the kids a thing or two about how their behaviour affects other people.
Afterwards, thank them for removing their feet - reinforces positive behaviour.
Aug 20, 2019, 9:33 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hotels.com Gold
Posts: 576
Exactly this. Children tend to be pretty straight forward (well at least if they're not your own!) and often unaware of the results of their own actions.