The case on my Kindle has a built-in light. Just pull it out and it immediately illuminates the screen. Doesn't bother anyone. I read my Kindle in bed all the time with all lights out.

^^^
I have no problem reading my Kindle in bed with DW sleeping. I also have no problem sleeping with DW reading her Kindle.

You didn't mention if she was rude in the way she asked the question.
If something is honestly bothering someone, and that someone nicely asks you to make a slight adjustment to fix the situation, what is the problem?

I might be odd (well, I probably am, but I'm just not sure this is the best example of it;)) I didn't want to get a case with the built-in light because it pulls power from the kindle battery and I knew I'd be using it in areas where power is a concern (parts of Africa). So I read with my headlamp - my headlamp travels with me anyway and I can use it for other purposes. Hate to travel with just a uni-purpose item, right?

It's only a problem if someone asks me a question and I turn to look without turning off the light first:D

I can understand about conserving power. I have the case lamp which use the Kindle battery and a clip on led which uses one AAA.

I have used headlamp reading real books and yes when someone wants to talk to me and I forgot that I have the headlamp on (Petzl with the Xenon bulb) it was "We have ways of making you talk" time. :D

+1. I have had this happen on a few recent flights.

This is why I bring a set of eyeshades with me on flights. Should someone complain about light, I'll offer him/her the eyeshades (keep 'em, too!). So far no one has accepted. They just shut up. Everyone's happy. :)

It is amazing to me how some people feel we should do nothing but sit in our seats with our hands folded in our laps.

My story from hell was back in 2000, I was watching a DVD on a laptop. Had headphones on so the sound wouldnt bother anyone. Was watching a recently released MAJOR Sci-Fi motion picture at the time. Think it was rated PG or such. Some lady from behind me told me I couldnt continue watching it as she didnt allow her children to watch movies like that. Seems the little brats were peering at between seats or something. Told her "Sorry, but she needed to control her Rug-Rats better then." I had no intention of putting it away. This was a 3+ hour flight & I needed something to pass my time. Talk about the rude comments under the breath and the looks from hell I got from her. OH WELL, I try to be reasonable, but I will not put up with any requests or espically demands from people who have an ENTITLEMENT attitude.

Entitlement. That's another issue altogether, and one that you can probably see in detail under Omni/PR. :p

I went from Kindle to Nook Tablet. Since it's backlit, I have no issues about having to use an overhead or portable clip on light. I did, however have a person tell me that the glow from my Nook was disturbing them on an overnight from HNL to DEN.

I think it goes back to the old expression, "Your right to swing your fist ends at the point of my nose." Where do your rights end and your row-mate's rights begin, and VS VS. When I sleep, I put on a mask, and put in earplugs. This way if someone is watching a video or turning on lights, or making some noise, I'm a bit isolated. It's my responsibility to try and "share" this space with my co-passengers, and their responsibility to do the same.

Hang on, I know what she is talking about. The screen on the kindle catches the bright overhead and flashes someone sitting at the right angle. You don't see it from your angle. It IS annoying, and I am sure she knew you didn't intend it.

I agree with you. However, it's not rude for the women in the OP's story to polity ask if she could change the angle or dim her light.

Totally agree.
Are people here so incredibly fragile that they can't accept someone making a polite request?

I am not taking one side on the other on these issues, I just thought it was strange that in some cases (such as window shades being raised on a night flight), FTers expect the person who is bothered to solve the problem, yet in this case (reflection from a Kindle), the initial reponses expect the Kindle reader to solve the problem.

Just seems inconsistent to me. :confused:

Indeed. It's funny that someone mentioned the entitlement mentality when that's ultimately what this arguement boils down to on both sides of the coin. My entitlement to reflect the light off my tablet vs your entitlement to sleep.

I don't think anyone is out of line here though. The woman was well within her rights to ask you to adjust to the angle of your tablet and you were well within in your rights to be reading your tablet with the overhead on.

I really don't prescribe to the prevailing theory here on Flyertalk that, "I'm going to do whatever the hell I want to do on an airplane and you're just going to have to deal with it". A little understanding and courtesy goes a long way and that's not specific to this situation.

Having been in the same situation as your seatmate I would say - if she asked nicely why not just turn you kindle a few degrees in any direction? When the stars align and any kind of screen is reflecting in your face you aren't going to be able to sleep regardless of how you turn you head.

To stress again, I say this assuming the lady was nice and polite about her request. If so, I would see refusing to move your screen a bit as quite barbaric and rude on your part.