Ritika Janiya
Air travels are exciting, but sometimes things go awry. Recently, one Cathay Pacific flight-which is a very popular airline-saw a huge squabble among passengers due to reclining seats. Here is what happened in a way that is easy to understand!
On September 17, a Hong Kong-to-London flight became a real-life drama. A Chinese woman was sitting in front of a couple from Hong Kong. When she reclined her seat to get comfortable, the couple behind her didn’t like it one bit. She blocked their view of the tiny television screen they enjoyed.
This later appeared on social media where this woman shared her experience: “They started yelling at me and even touching my seat aggressively. I was really uncomfortable doing that. Try to enjoy your flight, and you are handling some rude people behind you!
She shared all about her experience on Xiaohongshu, which is a social media platform. Her story got an immediate prompt notice by receiving nearly 200,000 likes on the platform! People on the internet apparently had no idea what to think of the whole situation. Some were taking sides with the woman, while others who sided with the couple.
When the woman reclined her seat, the husband and wife sitting behind her protested that she blocked their view. They asked her to raise her seat. But the woman refused to budge. And then the wife thought she would stretch her legs and put them on the armrests of the woman’s seat. Can you believe that? Instead of being polite, she started scolding the woman in Cantonese and when she did not understand it, she called her a “mainland girl” in a very inconsiderate manner.
Matters just got worse when the husband started pushing her seat from behind. She shared a video that reflected how her seat was shaking because of him. Imagine sitting quietly, and your seat is bouncing! It must have really frustrated her.
She raised her middle finger at the woman. Now, that’s an offended gesture. Feeling overwhelmed, the woman decided to seek help from a flight attendant. But to her surprise, when she did, she was shocked at the response. She should just put it up, said the attendant. This left the woman shocked. “It wasn’t meal time and I didn’t think I should have to compromise,” said the lady. So she refused the suggestion.
Some of the other passengers who testified before the whole incident did not appreciate the way these two lovers treated each other. One passenger even shouted, “Don’t call yourself a Hong Konger, you bully!” Others agreed and gave their opinions regarding things that were really outrageous; for example, “This is too much. How old are you? Why are you bullying a young girl?” It seems like many people were on the woman’s side.
The Xiaohongshu post caused quite a debate on the internet. It was full of comments from users who don’t think that the couple should behave in that way if they wanted space; they should have paid for the first class instead. People even gave defending words about Hong Kong: “Most citizens here are really kind; this couple must be an exception.” The bad experience of a single person doesn’t define the entire group after all.
This incident also sparked a discussion on the issue of whether reclining seats in airplanes should be prohibited. Some argued that since the ability to recline is a feature of the seat, it would be acceptable. They felt that everybody deserves to exercise this right without trepidation or arguments. Others claimed that when people recline their seats too far back, things get quite uncomfortable for those behind them.
The airline, Cathay Pacific, took matters seriously. It was said that they had placed the couple on their no-fly list, meaning the couple can never again fly with the airline again. Cathay Pacific has zero tolerance for passengers who treat fellow travelers in such a bad light. This means that everyone needs to feel secured and comfortable while flying.
After all, the story reminds us of a number of important lessons. First, airplane etiquette is important too. If you wish to recline your seat, make sure you do it politely and consider how it would affect the person behind you. Second, if someone bores you on that flight, do not hesitate to ask the flight attendant for help. They are there to help you and in many ways make your journey more pleasant.
Everyone should be treated respectfully when in a small confining space such as an airplane or anywhere else. Everybody is only here to have a good time on their trip. The next time you board a plane, remember this story and the thought of what you might be doing to the people around you.
Flying should be happy and thrilling, not a battleground over seats! Let’s all do our part in making the skies friendly to all!.
