I just got back from a very lovely visit to my younger sister and her family in Ohio. So I won't become a sobby mess thinking about how much I already miss them all, I'd like to share some random thoughts I had about flying and traveling.
- Are you an aisle or window person? I'm totally a window person because I don't like people crawling over me. I want to get to my spot and not have anyone bother me. Not even the flight attendant. No, I don't want a drink and I don't want peanuts. Please leave me alone.
- Do you engage other passengers or try to avoid it? I'm such an ignorer. Once I get in my little window seat spot, I pull out my book, put in my headphones, etc so that the person sitting next to me will leave me alone. Unfriendly on my part? Perhaps. Much more enjoyable flight and fewer awkward conversations? Oh, yes.
- Do you get territorial about your seat/space? I do, in a completely passive-aggressive way. I'm not tiny, but I'm definitely not huge either. I happen to fit just perfectly in the miniscule seats they have on planes. And it drives me nuts! when someone slops over into my space, whether that's by using my armrest or being too smelly or talking too loudly or whatever. Last night on my flight home, I sat next to an old guy {Yes, old - he had white hair . . . coming out his ears. Eww.} who applied lotion multiple times during the flight. Really? Each time he did I would glare at him because he kept knocking his elbows into my arm and his lotion was too smelly for a small space {and for an old man!}.
- Do you become a weird, overly aggressive version of yourself when in an airport? That's not how I am at all, maybe because I typically travel all by myself and don't like confrontation or contention, but it's kind of funny to see other people transform. I notice this most at the baggage carousel. Some folks have to get in just the right spot, even if it means blocking out a sweet old grandma or some lady with 5 little kids. It's not a competition, and no, I really don't want to snatch your old flower-print suitcase. Just back off a bit.
2 comments:
"Airport Doug" is an interesting fellow. He isn't overly aggressive but is just generally annoyed by people, rules, regulations, etc. He can be recognized by a particular scowl. Once it appears, jokes, mockery and small-talk are fruitless at bringing a smile and I think "Just read your book, Grenzebach - just read your book."
Doug likes to think "Airport Doug" doesn't exist...
We fly Southwest so we can choose where we sit. I always, ALWAYS choose to sit by people with kids. 'Cause let's face it, they are going through the same thing I am- trying to control unruly little ones in a confined space. And hopefully avoiding nasty side-glances coming from every direction.
Post a Comment