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-   TravelBuzz (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travelbuzz-176/)
-   -   the etiquette of reclination.... (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travelbuzz/921570-etiquette-reclination.html)

generaltao Feb 17, 2009 4:11 pm
Originally Posted by thegeneral (Post 11274648)
If your ability to walk was truly in danger, then why are you still flying?
What the? Is the hyperbole necessary? I never claimed my ability to walk was in danger. Still hurts like hell. And seriously, how productive is it of you to suggest that the solution to this is for me to either spend 4 times the money for a ticket or stop flying altogether?

I never said leaning should be banned, or that only evil people lean, or that I hope a plague falls upon the houses of people who lean. I only suggested that maybe there's a politeness and consideration angle to this issue. The tone of your response, I think, makes you my target audience. Manners matter.

That you choose to stick your knees in a position where they might be hurt is not anyone's issue but yours. Time to be a grown up and take some personal responsibility.
<speechless>

prncess674 Feb 17, 2009 5:11 pm
Originally Posted by j_the_p (Post 11272462)
Actually that's not what he's saying at all. He's talking about common courtesy towards fellow human beings. The courtesy to not recline during meals. The courtesy to ask the person behind you and to recline slowly instead of selfishly jamming your seat back with giddy abandon. Nobody is trying to steal your personal space.

If you look at his last paragraph, he's pretty clear with what he's suggesting:
I have never jammed my seat back with giddy abandon, in all my years in flying not once do I remember someone asking me if it is okay to recline into me.

Originally Posted by generaltao (Post 11275037)
Hmm.. no.

I was pretty clear that I was not approaching this issue from the POV of your 'rights' and my 'rights'. Technically, I have the right to walk up to you and call you a nasty name. There are other factors than my rights which would prevent me from doing so. Chief among them, civility, politeness and respect.

I don't think it's 'OK' or not 'OK' to lean my seat. I *always* ask. But the stature of the person behind me is a factor, yes. Let me ask you this:

Ever gotten into the back seat of a car that is being driven by a tall person? Ever had a tall person get into that back seat with you? Ever offered the tall person to let them have the front passenger seat, or offered to sit behind the driver and let them have the other side? If so, THANK YOU for your kindness. We taller people know that you would have preferred the extra legroom as well and are sincerely grateful for your sacrifice and consideration.

No obligations, no 'rights'. Just simple gratitude and simple courtesy. I can't help being tall any more than you can help being short. And I will gladly assist you when through no fault of your own, your stature puts you at a disadvantage in this world that is designed for 5'10", 175 lbs, right-handed adult males.
There is a huge difference with the car seat. If we are riding in a car together, I probably know you and enjoy your company. Besides if we were all being squished in a car I would imagine it was for a short hop around town and not a cross country jaunt. On a plane you are a nameles face. I am not going to sit in the uncomfortable upright position for a 3 hour flight just because you are tall.

If space is such an issue for you then purchase what you need. Would you be okay with an obese person spilling over into your seat? Based on your theory, you are skinny and they are fat, so since he is fat he deserves part of your seat. Everyone here is quick to tell the fat person to buy another seat, but then in the same breath say that it is okay for a tall person to overtake the space of a short person. Short. Tall. Skinny. Wide. Airlines sell a certain amount of space for a specific price, if you need more, buy more.

Please don't throw the "well I helped you with your bag" card into the ring. No one asked for your help, I only carry what I can lift and safely stow. Assiting in stowing a bag takes max 30 seconds and doesn't require that you sit upright for 3 hours. Comparing baggage assistance to seat recline is crazy. I'll lift my own bag and keep my seat recline.

generaltao Feb 17, 2009 5:27 pm
Originally Posted by prncess674 (Post 11275402)
Would you be okay with an obese person spilling over into your seat?
I may not like it, but it happens, does it not? If I follow your logic, I should feel perfectly OK jamming my elbows into the fat person's blubber because dammit I payed for that armrest and I am gonna use it.

To each his own. I may be inconvenienced, but it's OK. I'll lean a little to the other side. I'm still probably way more comfortable than the fat person is. Would I have preferred to sit straight and spare myself a back cramp? Yes, but does it really cost me THAT much to show kindness to a stranger?

Different strokes. You asked for a possible reason why you might want to check who is sitting behind you. I provided one: it can cause physical pain. It's a reason, whether you find it sufficient to affect your behaviour is completely up to you.

obscure2k Feb 17, 2009 5:29 pm
Time to lock this one up.
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator


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