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#Post#: 26903--------------------------------------------------
Re: Asking To Switch Seats When You Don't Want To
DIR By: Titanica
Date: February 27, 2019, 2:14 pm
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I'm so glad to see this thread, as I had a similar situation and
always wondered if I was out of line.
I was flying by myself and had boarded and taken my seat. I had
specifically requested, and gotten, a window seat. A group
boarded after me, apparently all traveling together on a
business trip (all wearing suits, carrying briefcases, etc.),
and had seats close to me. After they had pretty much all sat
down, one of them said to me "Could you switch seats with me so
that we can sit together?" in a tone that I felt clearly
indicated that she fully expected me to do as she asked.
However, she had an aisle seat.
I declined. She pushed, saying something like "I'm only one row
behind you!"
I said, "Well, I really like the window seat." She looked at
her companions and pretty much rolled her eyes, but did back
down.
I've always wondered if maybe I should have just let her have
the seat. But after seeing these responses, I feel a lot better
about standing my ground. Or sitting my air. Whatever.
#Post#: 26911--------------------------------------------------
Re: Asking To Switch Seats When You Don't Want To
DIR By: Kimberami
Date: February 27, 2019, 5:20 pm
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I will give up my seat on a plane to accommodate a child. I've
had a case were I would have been sitting next to a stranger's
child. No thanks. If I'm asked nicely to move so two people can
sit together, I would consider it. It would depend on the
circumstances. I don't care for passive aggressive or aggressive
aggressive behavior. Polite requests go a long way with me.
DH requires special accommodation at the movies. We make sure
that we book our seats early so that we can sit together. It
would be a very rare event that would get me to move out of my
seat. I don't think that's rude at all. Everyone has the ability
to do exactly what we do.
#Post#: 26917--------------------------------------------------
Re: Asking To Switch Seats When You Don't Want To
DIR By: Lilac
Date: February 27, 2019, 7:10 pm
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I take great care in selecting seats on aircraft (usually paying
more for economy-plus) and performance venues. It would have to
be a pretty dire situation before I'd voluntarily switch.
I don't even make eye contact when people ask to trade; the few
times it's happened I barely glance up from my phone or magazine
and shake my head, smiling slightly and saying "No, thanks, I
prefer this one" and go back to my raeading. I think I have the
sort of demeanor or facial expression that makes the statement
seem pretty final.
If people are unhappy with their seating situation the problem
is theirs, or the gate agent, usher, flight attendant, etc. --
it's not my job to make up for their poor planning/bad
luck/whatever. I did my homework, paid the necessary fees and
want to sit where I planned to.
Of course, if someone said "Would you mind taking my first class
seat so I can sit back here with my spouse?" I'd be happy to
oblige, LOL. But usually they are offering a downgrade.
Boggles the mind that anyone would think their "want" supercedes
that of a complete stranger's.
#Post#: 26921--------------------------------------------------
Re: Asking To Switch Seats When You Don't Want To
DIR By: Dazi
Date: February 27, 2019, 7:23 pm
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No, you are under no obligation whatsoever to swap seats because
someone planned badly on their end. Period.
The only time I did, was actually on a flight. There was some
kind of error and my seat was needed for a family that got split
up. They had little infant children, plus some older kids and
they were trying to get everyone in two sequential rows. The
flight attendant asked me to switch. Since the seat I saw was
actually a better seat, I was happy to do it, but she then
walked me up to first class. :D Best switch I ever made.
Movie theater. Nuh ugh, not my problem. I specifically go to the
theater that you purchase your seat. You pick it, so tough. I
purchase early because I like a certain spot. I'm short and I
don't like people in front of me. I also have a hearing deficit,
so I don't like to sit to one side of the theater or I don't
hear everything well.
#Post#: 26923--------------------------------------------------
Re: Asking To Switch Seats When You Don't Want To
DIR By: NFPwife
Date: February 27, 2019, 8:13 pm
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--- Quote from: Lilac link ---
>
> I take great care in selecting seats on aircraft (usually
paying more for economy-plus) and performance venues. It would
have to be a pretty dire situation before I'd voluntarily
switch.
>
> I don't even make eye contact when people ask to trade; the
few times it's happened I barely glance up from my phone or
magazine and shake my head, smiling slightly and saying "No,
thanks, I prefer this one" and go back to my raeading. I think I
have the sort of demeanor or facial expression that makes the
statement seem pretty final.
>
> If people are unhappy with their seating situation the problem
is theirs, or the gate agent, usher, flight attendant, etc. --
it's not my job to make up for their poor planning/bad
luck/whatever. I did my homework, paid the necessary fees and
want to sit where I planned to.
>
> Of course, if someone said "Would you mind taking my first
class seat so I can sit back here with my spouse?" I'd be happy
to oblige, LOL. But usually they are offering a downgrade.
Boggles the mind that anyone would think their "want" supercedes
that of a complete stranger's.
>
--- End Quote ---
I love your strategy, "I prefer this one," because it shifts,
ever so slightly, from the asker being the only person with
needs or a preference.
I flew in today and booked us in main cabin economy (or some
close sounding thing) alcohol is free in those rows and they're
supposed to have slightly more leg room. No way I was moving.
#Post#: 26949--------------------------------------------------
Re: Asking To Switch Seats When You Don't Want To
DIR By: Jayhawk
Date: February 28, 2019, 10:54 am
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--- Quote from: Dazi link ---
>
> No, you are under no obligation whatsoever to swap seats
because someone planned badly on their end. Period.
>
> The only time I did, was actually on a flight. There was some
kind of error and my seat was needed for a family that got split
up. They had little infant children, plus some older kids and
they were trying to get everyone in two sequential rows. The
flight attendant asked me to switch. Since the seat I saw was
actually a better seat, I was happy to do it, but she then
walked me up to first class. :D Best switch I ever made.
>
> Movie theater. Nuh ugh, not my problem. I specifically go to
the theater that you purchase your seat. You pick it, so tough.
I purchase early because I like a certain spot. I'm short and I
don't like people in front of me. I also have a hearing deficit,
so I don't like to sit to one side of the theater or I don't
hear everything well.
>
--- End Quote ---
This happened to me once -but it was at the gate. I was
traveling alone. A family was ahead of me and they wanted to sit
together. When it was my turn, the agent asked if I minded
sitting up in 1st class so they could sit together. Absolutely
not a problem. Only time I've sat in 1st!
#Post#: 26952--------------------------------------------------
Re: Asking To Switch Seats When You Don't Want To
DIR By: Lilac
Date: February 28, 2019, 11:23 am
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Not quite the same thing but several years ago I was in economy
on a plane that was three seats-aisle-three seats -- there was a
family behind me with one lap child and one seated child; the
seated child was alternately kicking my seat and standing on its
seat pulling on the back of my seat -- the lap child was
screeching -- the parents weren't doing anything. It boded ill
for a four-hour ordeal. As the flight attendant went past I
grimaced half-humorously, half-beseechingly at her; she gave me
a sympathetic smile in return.
Just before the doors closed she leaned down and said "Come with
me," -- I snatched up my stuff -- she led me to an empty
emergency row. I enjoyed that cross-country flight with three
seats all to myself, tons of extra legroom and a couple of free
beers. It was great. I've often thought gratefully of that kind
flight attendant.
#Post#: 26961--------------------------------------------------
Re: Asking To Switch Seats When You Don't Want To
DIR By: Contrarian
Date: February 28, 2019, 1:37 pm
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--- Quote from: Dr. F. link ---
>
> I was once on a flight coming home from a stressful job
interview. I had a window seat, which I had paid extra for, as I
have claustrophobia, and being able to see out the window helps.
A couple comes in, sits in the middle and aisle, and asks to
have the window, because, "We're NEWLYWEDS!" Note - they were
sitting together, they just wanted the window, but without
paying for it. I said no. They proceeded to heckle me (sad,
pathetic, bitter unmarried ladies!) and be obnoxious for the
entire rest of the 4-hour flight.
>
> That one goes down as one of my worst flights ever.
>
--- End Quote ---
This is horrible! The whole flight they behaved like this? I
had a couple once, at a party, specifically target me for some
reason. Maybe because the woman in the couple had patted a seat
on the couch beside her and I shook my head no and stayed where
I was, but they were kind of focused on me before that.
But afterwards, for the rest of the night they made comments
that I wasn’t playing fooseball (I was enjoying watching and
drinking my wine, I wasn’t standing around all grumpy or
anything) they commented on my not playing fooseball, didn’t I
like fooseball?, what do you have against fooseball?,can you
believe this woman isn’t playing fooseball?) for HOURS. What
can you even call this behaviour?
They talked to me, talked about me, constantly were focused on
me they constantly drew other people’s focus to me, in a
consistently negative manner,and I can’t believe how oddly weak
I felt. I just didn’t understand the behaviour at all but I
think they sensed a weakness in me that I hadn’t been aware of.
Anyway, I can’t imagine being sat beside a team of people just
crapping on me for a full four hours. And you really can’t get
into it on a plane.
I would consider, which is out of character, flagging down a
flight attendant and saying, I paid for this window seat
specifically and this couple wanted me to give it up, I haven’t
and since then, for more than an hour now, they have been
harassing me and calling me ridiculous names. Is there anywhere
else you can put them? Or could you bump me to business class so
I don’t have to sit here and be harassed?” They will deny it
but I’m sure their performance wouldn’t fool anyone.
I’m sorry this happened to you!
#Post#: 26972--------------------------------------------------
Re: Asking To Switch Seats When You Don't Want To
DIR By: TootsNYC
Date: February 28, 2019, 4:41 pm
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--- Quote from: wonderfullyanonymous link ---
>
> [quote author=lowspark link=topic=1017.msg26847#msg26847
date=1551210988]
> [quote author=JeanFromBNA link=topic=1017.msg26844#msg26844
date=1551208281]
> I don't understand why adults think that they have to site
with their travel companions for short flights (less than two
hours). It's not like they'll get lost on the plane and never
find each other again.
>
--- End Quote ---
While it's certainly not a big deal if I can't, I do prefer to
sit next to whomever I'm traveling with if possible. It's
someone I know and will probably want to talk to.
And I don't think it's a crime to ask, particularly if the
person being asked to switch will get equal or better seating.
But you have to graciously take "no" for an answer, regardless
of the reason for refusal, if indeed one is given.
[/quote]
I have sever social anxiety, and a flying phobia. If I had
bought seats to be seated with my travel companion, and someone
wanted us to be separated, they would be getting a firm no.
[/quote]
I agree! But that's not what this particular post is about.
When these people bought their tickets, they knew that they
would not be seated next to their 15yo son.
They were asking for that to change.
#Post#: 26973--------------------------------------------------
Re: Asking To Switch Seats When You Don't Want To
DIR By: wonderfullyanonymous
Date: February 28, 2019, 4:56 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: TootsNYC link ---
>
> [quote author=wonderfullyanonymous
link=topic=1017.msg26859#msg26859 date=1551220043]
> [quote author=lowspark link=topic=1017.msg26847#msg26847
date=1551210988]
> [quote author=JeanFromBNA link=topic=1017.msg26844#msg26844
date=1551208281]
> I don't understand why adults think that they have to site
with their travel companions for short flights (less than two
hours). It's not like they'll get lost on the plane and never
find each other again.
>
--- End Quote ---
While it's certainly not a big deal if I can't, I do prefer to
sit next to whomever I'm traveling with if possible. It's
someone I know and will probably want to talk to.
And I don't think it's a crime to ask, particularly if the
person being asked to switch will get equal or better seating.
But you have to graciously take "no" for an answer, regardless
of the reason for refusal, if indeed one is given.
[/quote]
I have sever social anxiety, and a flying phobia. If I had
bought seats to be seated with my travel companion, and someone
wanted us to be separated, they would be getting a firm no.
[/quote]
I agree! But that's not what this particular post is about.
When these people bought their tickets, they knew that they
would not be seated next to their 15yo son.
They were asking for that to change.
[/quote]
I was just saying there is no way I would change seats, no
matter who asked, be it a "big kid" or a flight attendant
playing musical chairs.
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