Cantankerous Lowlife

December 15, 2009

in Seat Stories

On a flight from Seattle to San Diego this very inconsiderate woman reclined her seat too far back. After what seemed like 1.5 hours I woke her up and asked her to move up a little because I was beginning to feel uncomfortable and needed to move around. She told me to “shut my mouth and go to sleep.” I told her “excuse me” and she said ” damn, what the **** is wrong with you.” I told her to calm down and all I wanted was some leg room. She was a lowlife. She was all tattooed up, pierced tongue, and green hair. Her hair was unkempt. She was sooo belligerent.

{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }

Marta December 15, 2009 at 4:15 pm

Now, Now, Isn't that stereotyping a bit?, Was she that bad of a person or are you just generalizing becuse she was different than you?

Maybe you didn't even try to make nice with her because her choices in fashion didn't agree with you.

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GeenaG January 13, 2010 at 11:29 am

I was told to “shut my mouth and go to sleep.”

I think being spoken to in such a vulgar and common way is what set things, off, not so much the fact that the woman looked like a lowlife, but acted like one.

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ps January 13, 2010 at 12:19 pm

Look at some of these replies. A lot of cantankerous lowlives are responding so they must side with the lowlife you had a problem with.

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Kad January 13, 2010 at 12:33 pm

I don't even know what to make about such a sweeping generalization ps.

Given that you were so concise about it though, let me ask you a question:

Did you learn to boil inane reasoning into concise statements from Fox News?

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Kad January 13, 2010 at 12:23 pm

That's a very good poing GeenaG, but describing someone with tattoos and piercings as a 'low life' is a little presumptious. I have neither (and intend to end life the way I started it, without any modifications), but some of the smartest, most perceptive and independent-minded individuals I have ever met were covered in tattoos and piercings.

I would argue gently, since I too am among the herd (for the most part) that bowing one's head down and sheepishly marching through life to the beat of the 'common sense' drum in looks is in fact leading a very low life.

The woman was rude and inconsiderate, no doubt about that. But somehow considering her looks as something of an addition to her rudeness is wrong and short-sighted. Have you never met a spectactularly well-dressed man or woman who behaved like a lout?

Those who march out of the restroom without deigning to pretend to even dribble a few H2O molecules on their skin after their business is done are extremely disgusting, and yet they will happily shake the hands of dozens of people every day.

It is not fair to judge someone based on appearances. Actions, yes.

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bob April 5, 2010 at 5:04 am

"shut your mouth and go to sleep" isnt reall vulgar

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FUuniversity December 15, 2009 at 6:37 pm

first off, it's her RIGHT to recline her seat as far back as it can go. she paid for that space, it's hers to recline in. live with it. you can do whatever you want with your seat, as she can with hers.

second, wtf does her appearance have to do with anything? NOTHING. it has nothing to do with the story at all.

learn to be accepting of others individuality and learn airline rules and rights. i hope i never have to fly on a plane with you, you complete moron.

i cannot wait until everyone else here reads your story and tells you what a total fucktard you are.

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MJ December 15, 2009 at 9:02 pm

Worst. Story. Ever.

Do you even read this site? It's her seat and she has the right to recline. It might have been nice of her to move it when you asked, but she's not obligated to do so. And seriously, her appearance has nothing to do with the story. Get over yourself.

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Hugh December 16, 2009 at 12:19 am

I pretty much echo the comments of the others. There will of course be the cadre of people on here who will argue that people shouldn't recline, or that be reclining she committed battery or some other nonsense. I think everyone, however, will agree that her appearance doesn't matter one iota in this case. I think you sound like a very intolerant, prejudiced person. Grow up and stop being a fucktard.

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Kad December 16, 2009 at 1:40 am

If the OP has written the story with a little more panache, I might have had sympathy. Yes, people pay for their seats, but for the most part flying coach is a negotiated sort of mayhem with a simple social contract:

Please try not to inconvenience me as though we are rushing to the same Walmart checkout (analogy only, I don't shop at Walmart because it supports what can only be classed as slavery) while we are 5-6 miles in the air, and I will try to not inconvenience you.

To wit: the person who insists on full recline for an entire flight including meal-times. You can't fool me, I know you're not magically able to embrace sleep from one minute prior to departure to one minute before landing. How does a knee in the back of your seat help you posture? You paid for your seat and limited space. I paid for mine. The brochure didn't include a photo of the top of your greasy head.

And as far as that goes, would it really hurt you to sit up for once in your life, instead of pretending you are on your couch at home? You are in a public place.

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Demotage December 16, 2009 at 11:28 am

I don't know if it reaches the level of a full-fledged RIGHT that you get to have your seat back, but the fact is, if someone in front of you wants to , they can and it's just your bad luck (and I have the worst luck in this regard. I can be in a full plane with only one person reclining, and it will invariably be the person in front of me.)

But right or not, it doesn't preclude a seat recliner from exercising a little bit of common courtesy. To wit: not slamming your seat back when you recline. Or not reclining your seat when you are not actually using the recline. Or putting it back and then continuously slamming your back into the seat, as if that will somehow make it more comfortable. Well, it doesn't make it more comfortable for me, and I have just as much right to not have you continuously concussing my knees in the seat I paid for. I've had a laptop screen broken by a seat-slammer, and it drives me completely crazy when someone puts their seat back and then proceeds to sit straight up for a hour or more.

Oh and one more time……when preparing for landing and the FA has come by and asked you to put your seat in the upright position, don't do it and then as soon as she is gone, put it back again. I think I've earned at least five minutes of knee room by the end of the flight, and besides, you are creating a safety hazard for me and my row mates.

But yes, I agree, the person's appearance has nothing to do with seat reclining behavior. My laptop crusher was a well-dressed business man.

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Kad December 16, 2009 at 12:10 pm

Demo, you made some really good points there.

As a matter of common courtesy, I try to follow the flight food/sleep schedule and at least let the person behind me enjoy their pre-packaged/microwaved meal in peace, and even pretend to enjoy my ill-fitting seat for a few hours while I watch the CHEAPEST MOVIE THEY COULD BUY RIGHTS FOR On a long flight. I might feel the need for a couple hours of sleep, but really, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10? A couple hours, coupled with adrenaline, are really all anyone needs.

Something a lot of people seem to forget is that airplanes are not some kind of slumber party, where we get to do what we want without concern for our fellow travelers. See travelers with kids…….

It seems you and I mostly agree though, so I will end here.

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