How Not To Be That Annoying Person Sitting Next to You on A Plane (or Anywhere Else!)

At one time or another, we’ve all sat next to people who have annoyed us.  Air travel can especially present problems since it usually isn’t easy to move away from the person who is making you uncomfortable or to say anything to that person about his behavior.

Other people can be annoying.  But not us, right?   

Here are a few tips to ensure that you aren’t that irritating person.

Stay on Your Own Real Estate

These days unless you are traveling business class or better, the economy seats seem to be getting smaller and smaller and more uncomfortable. If you are on a long flight, it is a real challenge to get comfortable especially if you are sitting next to strangers or, unfortunately, stuck in the middle seat.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve reached my seat and already a man sitting next to me has his legs opened way beyond his armrest boundaries.  In other words, don’t be that person who spreads their legs so wide that the poor person sitting next to them doesn’t have any place to put their legs.

Also, everyone knows that if the configuration is three seats across, the middle passenger gets both armrests.  Please don’t lift those armrests unless you know the person sitting next to you.  If you can’t fit into your seat, you shouldn’t be infringing on mine.  I paid for that space and I don’t need you to overlap onto my seat.  In years past, there have been many flights of “armrest wars”.  That is where the armrest is up and then when that next door passenger gets up, the one who is missing the armrest puts it back down.  And then the entire scene plays over and over as each person gets up from their seat.

Keep Those Tootsies Covered and Where They Belong

Please don’t take your shoes off and certainly not your socks!  No one wants to smell those cheesy feet.   Even though the carpet on the plane is cleaned it isn’t pristine and you really don’t want to put your feet on a dirty floor.  You might want to take a pair of comfortable shoes or slippers to slip in and out of.  Often, I see passengers going to the bathroom in their socks.  I don’t have to tell just how gross those bathrooms can get.

If you are sitting behind me, don’t put your foot on my armrest.  Once I was seated next to the window as the plane was getting ready to take off. I was just about to put my arm on the armrest and low and behold I sighted a foot adorned in a beautiful velvet jeweled slipper resting on my armrest.  I gave the ankle a little tickle and heard a response that seemed very surprised! Now that is chutzpah!

Don’t Bring Smelly Food to Eat

You might find your tuna salad delicious. You might love gorgonzola cheese, curry, hard-boiled eggs but no one else is enjoying the smell.  Try to bring something you like that doesn’t give off an odor.

Don’t Eat Lots of Garlic or Other Foods That Will Make Your Body Smell Bad

Garlic  exudes from your pores.  While garlic really enhances many foods, it is very off putting.  Garlic can stay in your bloodstream for almost two days.  Spicy foods as well as too much alcohol consumption can also give off a very unpleasant scent.  Beets, cabbage, asparagus, beans and Brussels sprouts are among the foods that can make you smell foul and can cause some inflight discomfort and emissions. You might be wise to not eat any of these types of foods a day or so before your departure.

If You Have Really Long Hair Don’t Swish It Over the Back of Your Seat

Your hair just might wind up in someone’s food or drink. You will be blocking the movie that the passenger behind you is watching. If the passenger behind you needs to touch the back of your seat to exit or return to their seat, you don’t her to be pulling your locks.

Don’t Push Your Seat Back During Food Service

Remember to make sure your seat is all the way upright. It is difficult for the person to eat his food if your seat is pushed back in his face.

That’s just rude.

Please Get Your Act Together Before the Lights Go Out

If you are going on a long flight, especially a night flight, get your stuff together before the lights go out.  Instead of rummaging through your under seat bag, or getting up to go to your overhead luggage, get your toothbrush, toothpaste, toiletries, nightshade, tablet, snacks and everything else you need.  Unwrap those lozenges or hard candy, as well as any other food items that come in crinkly packaging. 

Keep your Headphones and Earphone Volume Down 

You are wearing them because you don’t want to hear the other noise on the plane.  Or maybe you just

want to enjoy some music or a movie.  Be mindful that the people sitting around you want to enjoy themselves too and your loud music/movie, etc. is irritating and distracting.

Window Shade/Reading Light

If you are on a night flight and are seated next to the window, try not to keep opening and shutting it.  Most people want to sleep or watch a movie and it needs to be dark to get some shut-eye and to enjoy the film. Ditto for the light above your head.

Snoring/Snorting

Do you know if you snore or snort?  Do you think your heavy breathing is more like a cat purring?

You don’t want that stranger next to you to constantly be “inadvertently” poking you, coughing loudly and using whatever tactic he can to get you to stop.  Maybe you should take along some snore strips or whatever you know works for you. Or just give the people around you permission to give you a nudge if things get too loud.

Don’t Be A Chatterbox

If the passenger next to you immediately upon boarding and getting to her seat, immediately puts up her hood, puts on her headset, or dons earplugs, or starts to work on her laptop they don’t want to chat with you.  

Just say “hi” or a word or two and that’s that at least for now.

Maybe there will be more conversation later.

Don’t Be a Drunk

You don’t have to keep drinking all the way to your destination. 

No one, absolutely no one, wants to deal with an unruly drunk.  You don’t want the pilot to have to make a diversion to drop you off or wind up taped to your seat.

Plus, drunks usually snore loudly once they fall asleep.

Be nice to the flight attendants and stop complaining

Yes, the flight attendant is there to serve you.  But remember you aren’t the only one on the plane. The flight attendant is there to insure your safety and to work closely with the flight crew if there is an emergency.  Flight attendants are responsible in making sure that your seat belts are on, that you know how to use the oxygen masks and put on a life jacket properly.

Their more everyday responsibilities include serving you those delicious meals and drinks, handing out blankets and pillows and storing luggage properly.

The crew answers questions about the flight you are on and tells you what to do if your flight is delayed. 

They are trained to render aid if there is a medical emergency.  

If a passenger is unruly, the flight attendants have to deal with that too.

It’s a lot of work dealing with all the different personalities and demands.

So it’s ok to let them know what you need, just be nice about it.  You might just get served better or upgraded (well, it’s a long shot) by doing that!

The bottom line.

Now, I am sure you don’t engage in any of these nasty habits, do you?  Of course, not! But just in case, there’s always room for improvement.