A cardinal rule of etiquette on an airplane is that you you keep your personal articles and yourself out of your neighbor’s space. One passenger received a wet reminder of this rule.
Passenger Who Placed His Foot In Personal Space Of The Man in Front Of Him Receives A Complimentary In-Flight Shower
A short video posted to the popular Instagram Passenger Shaming account shows a man recording himself as he opens his water bottle and pours water on his seatmate, wearing flip flops, who rudely decided to stick his leg beyond the seat in front of him (there is a bar there to stop you…) and into the personal space of the man in front of him.
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The only clue we have as to what airline he was flying is the red safety card. Perhaps it was Turkish Airlines? The navy blue seat cushions seems to match.
I do not condone such action, but I suspect it got the point across. And of course it could have been worse: he could have poured hot coffee on his seatmate or stood up and stomped on his toes. He could have made vomiting noises or used red wine or something that would have ruined the sandals. All would have been wrong, but understandable.
Of course he also could have turned around and ask the guy to move his feet, though I find that louts who stretch out like that often are combative and do not like being told no. He also could have notified a flight attendant.
CONCLUSION
A passenger took revenge on the man seated behind him by dumping water on his feet. I’m not one for seeking revenge, but I have to admire the efficiency of getting the unwanted feet out of his space.
Was this “revenge” fair or unfair?
This is probably not a good idea, and even worse is recording yourself doing it. If it ends up in an altercation, this video is going to play out prominently in the aftermath. Stop doing everything for clicks and likes. 1- Ask the person to stop. 2- Get a flight attendant if they don’t. That simple.
I once had an old man sitting next to me on middle seat, which as airplane etiquette dictates, I gave my armrest to. Apparently he didn’t think that was enough, so he kept protruding his elbows at least a full arm’s width into my personal space. I asked him to please stop and stay on his side of the seat, and so he did. What a radical idea, asking someone nicely!
Dude has to be pretty tall for his feet to extend that far, assuming he’s not slouching down in his seat. Heel is probably resting behind the bar, with front of feet hanging over. Good chance he’s unaware that his feet are visible to the person in front. Such a deliberately offensive action by the water pourer is not warranted when the offending behavior is quite possibly unintentional.
Agreed, it’s likely that they didn’t even realize it. They can easily extend their feet without hitting the bar.
I’m all for calling these guys out. I had my own manspread incident lately:
https://www.kirkstravelstories.com/post/manspread-alert
Well, you could nudge the feet and follow up with a compliment about his big feet.
; )
No way. People are unhinged and I would worry the offender strikes back.
Hey Matthew, any updates on your unconditional support for Israel after today’s airstrike on a Gaza refugee camp? Thanks.
If his feet had been “accidentally” stepped on and smashed between the bottom of “water bottle guy’s” shoe and the bar that could easily have broken a couple of toes and then he wouldn’t be able to pursue water bottle guy to start a fight :-).
Exact revenge, not extract.
Works for me. I’m ALWAYS conscious and considerate, about invading someone else’s personal space. The people who are not mindful of this, have a lot to learn. Water was harmless. But likely made its point very clear. I don’t think l would characterize this as “vengeance.” That’s just me. But putting the “wet shoe on the other foot,” l don’t think that l would repeat the offense.