Nosy Neighbor or rude seatmate?
Oct 7, 2017, 9:18 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 240
Been flying for 30 plus years and try to be the best passenger to the airline and my fellow seatmates.
Got to the airport last night and discovered that there was an earlier flight to my destination. Because it was it was a last minute deal, only middle seats left. No problem since it was an hour flight. The person in the aisle seat was a little bit larger, had their earbuds in and took both armrests. The person in the window seat was elderly and very small framed, but they were making themselves at home and had a bag of items between the window and their legs which made them move more into what should have been my space. I ignored all of his and put my earbuds in and turned on the TV and was glad to get home early.
5 minutes into flying, the elderly passenger in the window seat tapped me on the shoulder. They said that they didn't appreciate the TV News Show that I was watching and they wanted me to turn to another channel. I was dumbstruck and at first I ignored them. I put my earbuds back in and the person waived their hands in front my screen and again I took my earbuds out and they started to give me a lecture on the evils of watching this show. I spoke up very loudly and said that they needed to mind their business, this was America and I had the right to watch what I wanted and they needed to leave me alone. They then pull out a book to read and it's all about the rights of the individuals being tramped on and how to fight back!
I consider myself a nice helpful person to my fellow human beings. For the rest of the flight, I made sure that they weren't in my space and during drink service wouldn't help pass the drink. Petty, I know but I was pissed at this point.
I know that the there are strong political views held by many folks in this country but I was stunned at their behavior. Anyone ever run into something like this?
Got to the airport last night and discovered that there was an earlier flight to my destination. Because it was it was a last minute deal, only middle seats left. No problem since it was an hour flight. The person in the aisle seat was a little bit larger, had their earbuds in and took both armrests. The person in the window seat was elderly and very small framed, but they were making themselves at home and had a bag of items between the window and their legs which made them move more into what should have been my space. I ignored all of his and put my earbuds in and turned on the TV and was glad to get home early.
5 minutes into flying, the elderly passenger in the window seat tapped me on the shoulder. They said that they didn't appreciate the TV News Show that I was watching and they wanted me to turn to another channel. I was dumbstruck and at first I ignored them. I put my earbuds back in and the person waived their hands in front my screen and again I took my earbuds out and they started to give me a lecture on the evils of watching this show. I spoke up very loudly and said that they needed to mind their business, this was America and I had the right to watch what I wanted and they needed to leave me alone. They then pull out a book to read and it's all about the rights of the individuals being tramped on and how to fight back!
I consider myself a nice helpful person to my fellow human beings. For the rest of the flight, I made sure that they weren't in my space and during drink service wouldn't help pass the drink. Petty, I know but I was pissed at this point.
I know that the there are strong political views held by many folks in this country but I was stunned at their behavior. Anyone ever run into something like this?
Oct 7, 2017, 9:39 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
Oct 8, 2017, 7:51 am
#18
Moderator: Travel Buzz
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,095
You could have handed the elderly person an eye mask.
Oct 8, 2017, 8:38 pm
#19
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,638
other passengers have commented on the videos i watched twice. once, i was watching 'snowpiercer' and the person sitting next to me got interested. i shared my earbuds and we watched it together. the second time, i was watching 'powaqqatsi.' after we landed, someone behind me was curious and asked what it was, and commented that the visuals were fascinating but couldn't tell what was going on. i tried to explain the film, and commented that the soundtrack is important to the film.
it certainly helped that both of those other passengers were polite.
it certainly helped that both of those other passengers were polite.
Oct 9, 2017, 8:27 am
#20
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: GIG - YYC - SVO
Programs: Lost it all and don't care
Posts: 945
Never had a seat mate that I couldn't convey a message to, by opening Hemi, or getting my ear buds out.
Happens very rarely to be honest. 98% of the time I find that airplanes turn folks into introverts.
2 weeks ago on UAL129 to GIG the band Offspring was sitting in front of me in J. They were on their way down to perform at Rock in Rio. Quiet and polite, kinda disappointed that they didn't rip the IFE out of its brackets, turn the seats upside down, and break booze bottles everywhere. I mean, what kind of legacy rock band is that.......heh ? (sarc)
Happens very rarely to be honest. 98% of the time I find that airplanes turn folks into introverts.
2 weeks ago on UAL129 to GIG the band Offspring was sitting in front of me in J. They were on their way down to perform at Rock in Rio. Quiet and polite, kinda disappointed that they didn't rip the IFE out of its brackets, turn the seats upside down, and break booze bottles everywhere. I mean, what kind of legacy rock band is that.......heh ? (sarc)
Last edited by KDS777; Oct 9, 2017 at 8:33 am
Oct 10, 2017, 5:12 am
#21
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Rosh Haayin
Programs: Sky Team (Flying Blue Gold) Star Alliance (Senator Gold) Matmid - ELAL (Platinum)
Posts: 4
I would have told her to fly first class next time, and if she's lucky she won't have a seat next to her or an empty seat.
I once had a passenger in economy behind me complaining about me reclining my seat. I told him i wanted to sleep, so he kept on bothering me with his knees, hitting the back of my seat.
So annoying!
I once had a passenger in economy behind me complaining about me reclining my seat. I told him i wanted to sleep, so he kept on bothering me with his knees, hitting the back of my seat.
So annoying!
Oct 10, 2017, 6:05 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
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Posts: 14,101
"Foxtrot Oscar"
Oct 10, 2017, 6:54 am
#24
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 2
If you were watching Fox News, she has my sympathies.
Oct 10, 2017, 7:12 am
#25
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: ewr pbi
Programs: Premier 1K (Former CO Plat)
Posts: 135
Reminds me of an old joke!
Woman calls the hotel's front desk to complain that a couple across the courtyard was nude and acting lewdly with the shades up.
The house detective came to the room, looked out the window, and couldn't see anything.
"Stand on the bed, Stand on the bed" the woman shouted.
The house detective came to the room, looked out the window, and couldn't see anything.
"Stand on the bed, Stand on the bed" the woman shouted.
Oct 10, 2017, 7:48 am
#26
Join Date: Sep 2012
Programs: United Mileage Plus
Posts: 30
Assumptions
Nowhere in this post was it mentioned that the "elderly passenger" was a female. Yet several posters assumed that "SHE" was sitting next to you.
Oct 10, 2017, 10:56 am
#27
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Lincoln, NE (OMA or LNK)
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Starwood/Marriott, Hilton, IHG
Posts: 1,345
I can imagine what you were watching. How dare you!
I would have added who you voted for. I'm sure that would have also made their day. I use these stories to share with my students what happens them as adults if they don't pay attention in my Social Studies class.
I would have added who you voted for. I'm sure that would have also made their day. I use these stories to share with my students what happens them as adults if they don't pay attention in my Social Studies class.
Oct 10, 2017, 2:17 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 223
I was hooked on the Sopranos one recent flight in Asia and there was a bit of boob now and then. As soon as it came up I got really worried that someone around me would complain and it got me thinking about why is this actually allowed on a plane when there could be under 18s nearby...Not that i personally mind, but if there had have been kids around I certainly would have fast-forwarded.
Oct 10, 2017, 2:38 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: Sydney Australia
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Oct 10, 2017, 3:21 pm
#30
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
"Please stop talking to me"
