As anyone who has ever traveled via airplane, or really any other form of public transportation, be that city bus, subway, etc., knows there is a certain etiquette that is usually observed. A recently videotaped and rather out-of-control argument on a flight has seemingly sparked a national conversation on just what that etiquette should be.
So, let me explain the video.
A woman is sitting on an airplane in front of a man. She has her seat leaned back, trying to relax. But the man behind her is left with next to no room and is getting squished. When he gets tired of it, he apparently begins kicking the woman’s seat, undoubtedly in the hopes that she will realize her seat position is inconveniencing him, and politely return it to the upright position.
She doesn’t, though. Instead, she grows quite frustrated at his kicking.
What ensues is an all-out screaming match at the other’s audacity.
She’s allowed to put her seat back. You don’t get to kick it repeatedly just because you want more space. pic.twitter.com/WELD7Qh4Re
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) November 2, 2023
Naturally, once the video was posted on social media, everyone and their mothers have been commenting on who actually had the right to be angry.
Some side with the man, although not necessarily with his kicking. As conservative pundit Matt Walsh says, “Putting your seat back in coach is sociopath behavior. You’ve made it so the person behind you can’t use their tray table and can’t move their legs. Yes, you’re allowed to do it, but you’re an asshole if you do.”
Putting your seat back in coach is sociopath behavior. You've made it so the person behind you can't use their tray table and can't move their legs. Yes you're "allowed" to do it, but you're an asshole if you do. https://t.co/1BZvKQAM00
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) November 2, 2023
Exactly, if you wanna be this entitled to take offense to someone reclining their seat, book business or first class. Put your money where your entitlement lies.
— Ashwin Goyal (@desi_austinite) November 2, 2023
Others agreed, noting that it is a form of “social politeness to leave your seat as is.”
Here’s my take.
I don’t lean my seat back because planes are tight enough as it is.
I’ve had seats in front of me lean back and knock my drink and laptop everywhere.
I’ve flown A LOT and I get the vibe that it’s kind of social politeness to leave your seat as is.
Am I wrong? pic.twitter.com/WEcutX6QON
— Amiri King (@AmiriKing) November 2, 2023
Of course, others sided with the woman who was noted to have yelled, “I’m allowed to put my seat back.” The argument here is that aircraft manufacturers make airplane seats to recline, so why not use that feature?
Exactly, if you wanna be this entitled to take offense to someone reclining their seat, book business or first class. Put your money where your entitlement lies.
— Ashwin Goyal (@desi_austinite) November 2, 2023
Yes, it may be annoying when the person in front of you puts their seat back, but as several people say, that’s the price you pay for flying coach. Just suck it up and deal with it, in other words.
It can be annoying sometimes to be behind someone with their seat all the way, but if the airlines didn't want to allow that, it wouldn't happen. You don't kick the seat like a baby. Blame the airline, not the person doing what the airline says is fine.
— John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) November 2, 2023
Of course, there are other ways to deal with either side’s anger at the other.
What’s your opinion on the matter?
Putting your seat back in coach is an unspoken thing most people don’t do. It’s really the airlines fault because they’ve made coach so cramped and tight that putting the seat back shouldn’t even be an option.
— Matthew Lauseng (@MatthewLauseng) November 2, 2023
