Odd thing, when people are polled about their top air travel complaints, it's not delayed flights, lost luggage, or long security lines. Stories about the rudeness of fellow travelers top the list. It wasn't always this way.
At the dawn of commercial aviation, people were mindful that they were embarking on a shared journey. In preparation, they put on their best manners for the benefit of their fellow travelers.
Fast forward to today. Now we're experiencing what happens when society abandons the commonality that civility holds together in favor of the belief that we can each do as we like without it, or despite it, negatively affecting society as a whole. So, what's the solution to making our hectic flights more tolerable? Understanding, and then acting upon the fact that courtesy diffuses stress- even at 30,000 feet!
Here's Your Top Seven Tips for Traveling with Style at 30,000 Feet!
Be prepared for the next step. As you approach security, have your ticket and ID out and ready, your shoes and jacket off, and your smile on! If the stack of bins where you deposit your items is running low, say to the person behind you, stranger or not, "Please hold my spot! I'm going to get some bins for us." Pick up as a many as you can, take yours, hand one to the person behind you, and place the rest on the floor nearby for the next passengers. This small act of helpfulness earns a smile and a "Thank-you" from even the gruffest of fellow travelers.
Hold your carry-on items directly in front of you as your board. Don't hold items over your head or to your side. People all the way back to row 27 will appreciate that you didn't hit them in the shoulder or thigh. Place items in the bin above your seat, not someone else's. Using the space above another seat puts the passenger about to sit there in the same predicament you're facing. If your bin is full, try to notify the flight attendant.
Don't bring meals onto the plane. This is a biggie! The aroma of the double cheeseburger or salad with blue cheese will overtake the circulated air in the plane before you can say, "Fasten your seatbelts." I read of a flight recently where a woman's seatmate ate a meal, pulled out floss, and began spraying food particles. The unfortunate stranger tried to bury her head deeper and deeper into her magazine to protect herself. When the plane landed, the flosser's only comment was a snide remark about how she "really enjoyed the conversation" of her silent seatmate.
Acknowledge you seatmates. Smile, make eye-contact, and say, "Good afternoon" to the persons in your row. You don't need to engage in full conversation with the stranger beside you. Of course, you can if you'd like. Test the waters by asking if the trip is for business or pleasure and seeing where the conversation leads. If the other person takes out something to read or work on, that's the silent signal that he or she isn't in the mood for small talk.
Be proactive in putting your seatmates at ease. If you have the aisle seat, tell your seatmates you'll be happy to move if they need to get up during the flight. Don't discharge all your personal possessions onto the seatback tray. It sends a strong message that you don't want to budge.
Check before reclining. 31% of passengers recline. You have the right to recline at will as well as a responsibility to understand that your comfort is coming at the cost of the person behind you. Last month, as I flew home from a business meeting in Chicago, the person in front of me reclined the whole trip. By the time I landed three hours later in Orlando, I could barely feel my toes. Also, look behind you before reclining to make sure the other person doesn't have snacks or beverages on his or her tray table. You'll prevent sending a wave of diet soda crashing over someone's lap.
Turn your back and don't grab the seatback. When exiting your row, try to turn and face your seatmates while passing. (This is true of exiting rows anywhere-movie theaters, auditoriums, churches, etc.) No one enjoys a backside view at eye level!. Also, be careful of grabbing the seatback in front of you as you stand up. The sudden jolt is a shock for the person, and if they have long hair, it's easy to accidentally pull it.
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