Better than dog shaming: airplane passenger shaming
We all know the guy. The passenger who ruined our flight. The guy who spilled his soda on you three times. Or who pulled out a tuna fish and onion wrap to loudly swallow, three inches from your face. Or whose elbow made it way past the socially acceptable space bubble during travel nap time.
Now there’s a home for these special travelers, a place to immortalize their violations against air-travel etiquette—and hopefully help you endure it with a sense of humor and release.
Passenger Shaming is the newest trend in public Internet shaming. Inspired by Dog Shaming, the premise is simple: Capture and share displeasing behavior with others online. Looking for cred? Tosh.0 recently said Passenger Shaming is his new favorite Facebook group.
On Passenger Shaming (which also has a Twitter @passengershame and Instagram), there is the woman stretching out her bare foot to touch the man in the seat in front of her; a shirtless guy tipping a bottle in the aisle; an overfilled clear cup full of tobacco chew and spit; a dirty diaper left behind; a wig hanging on an armrest; someone doing a headstand on flight; and tons and tons of bare, dirty feet on the walls and bulkhead.
Really, it’s a train wreck, er, plane wreck, and you won’t be able to stop looking.
How about some basic airplane etiquette, folks?
We all know planes are uncomfortable and there’s no classy way to take a nap in a 3-by-3-inch chair. But mind your neighbors, and show a little respect:
- Take turns using the armrests. If you are in the middle, you don’t need both armrests at the same time.
- Ask the person behind you if it is OK for your recline, before you jerk your seat back into their knees. Especially if the passenger behind you is tall.
- Carry your luggage in front of you while you walk down the aisle, so it doesn’t bump people as you walk past.
- If you must take off your shoes, keep your feet in socks. No one wants to see or smell your bare tootsies.
- Don’t force conversation with the person sitting next to you. Pay attention to social cues. If they don’t seem eager, let it go.
- Don’t get drunk.
- Wait your turn during the exist.
Read more etiquette tips from Miss Manners here.