Top 7 Most Annoying Etiquette Breakers People Do on Flights
When we travel by air there are multiple challenges we have to face. It begins before you even get to the airport or get on the airplane. The frustration of booking the flight, and making sure your “$200 round trip” doesn’t turn into $482. There are baggage fees, insurance fees, fees for fees, and everything else that makes that final price tag soar.
This happened to me the last time I tried to book our last vacation. The flights started out really cheap but ended up not cheap at all. You’re so exhausted from navigating the website you just pay it because you don’t want to go through that again.
Then once you get on the plane you have to deal with the legroom issue among other airplane complexities and inconveniences.
Even after all that, you’re left to tolerate your fellow passengers. These are travelers who disregard the simple rules of etiquette because, it seems, they don’t apply at 30,000 feet. Interestingly, people’s feet play a part in the frustration.
A survey by Skyscanner, an online travel engine, unveiled the top seven behaviors that most irk passengers, as reported by Ozarks First.
Not the number one annoyance, but still a big pet peeve for many, is asking someone to switch seats. Almost one-third of respondents frowned upon this request. I’ve never needed to ask someone to do this, but I don’t have a problem with someone asking. This is especially true if there is a family who is trying to stay together during the flight.
Then there’s the “using both armrests guy” at six, and the “reclining seats lady at five.” I’m not sure why people have a problem with the person in front of them reclining. Why have a reclining seat if you’re not able to use it, which I don’t.
I may be guilty of number four. Taking off my shoes (but not my socks) during a flight is something I like to do if I’m going to be napping. It used to be something I did sometimes, but now I’ll just wear more comfortable shoes to avoid the possibility of breaking an unwritten rule.
Next up, a seatmate who talks too much. 39% of passengers cringe when they sit next to someone who does a monologue throughout the flight.
Taking second place, and irritating 40% of those surveyed, was the use of speakerphones for phone calls or video chats. Really?!
But the top spot went to personal grooming, as 42% found this to be the most offensive. This includes painting nails, clipping nails, and other in-flight grooming. If it’s not something you should be doing in public, why would you think it’s okay to do it in the confined space of an airplane?
9 Unspoken Rules for Public Restroom Etiquette
Skip the complicated stuff
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Feel free to touch up your makeup or give your teeth a quick brush. But skip the complex routines like flossing, clipping your nails, or shaving. Keep phone calls at bay, and save emails and browsing for later. Remember, public bathrooms are riskier for hygiene. According to Health, a health and lifestyle website, illnesses like COVID-19, flu, and colds can be found on surfaces. So, minimize your time there for safety’s sake.
No touchy, touchy
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If you spot someone you know, a nod is perfectly okay. No need to shake hands! In fact, CNN reported that only 5% of people who used the bathroom washed their hands long enough to kill the germs that can cause infections. It’s risky to assume otherwise. No one needs to guess where your hands were. Wet handshakes are bad, worse if it’s mystery liquid.
Stall chats and gossip
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Avoid engaging in conversations between stalls or near urinals. This holds particularly true within the office environment, where you can’t be certain if a colleague or supervisor is in the adjacent stall, potentially overhearing any complaints or gossip you share. A Redditor shared their frustration on the discussion board saying that talking in stalls should only be for, “Can you pass me some toilet paper? This ones out” or “Crap. Do you have a tampon?”
Hold off on phone conversations
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Staying connected is great, thanks to our trusty smartphones always being by our side. But let’s not take them to the bathroom. Besides the germs, it can get awkward. The person on your call hears bathroom noises and flushes. The nearby stall occupant gets only half the conversation, making the shared bathroom uncomfortable.
Welcoming yourself in without knocking
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You’re eyeing a solo bathroom, uncertain if it’s taken. Start with a knock on the door. No response? Next, put your hand on the doorknob and carefully turn it to one side. Did it open? If not, odds are someone’s inside, so hold on. No need to shake the handle like you’ve never met a doorknob. That’s a surefire method to give the person inside a shock. And just in case the person in the restroom forgot to lock the door, at least all your bases are covered.
Don't flush with your feet
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There are some people who think they’re maintaining hygiene by flushing toilets with their feet. In reality, this is one of the least hygienic actions. Shoes aren’t clean, particularly after navigating a public restroom, exposing them to unclean surfaces. This transfers germs where others touch. If you’re concerned about germs, consider using a piece of toilet paper to operate the flush handle.
"Be a sweetie and wipe the seatie"
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Tidy up after use. This rule covers all areas of the restroom. After you’re done, take a look at the seat and floor, and clean as needed. To put it simply, be considerate and give your seat a wipe. This also pertains to the sink. While soap is clean, leaving a large blob under the dispenser isn’t polite behavior.
Stall hogger
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According to Geisinger, a health organization, studies indicate the average time spent in the restroom is about 12 seconds. Occasionally, it might take longer, but it’s generally recommended not to exceed 10 minutes. So, if you find yourself scrolling through Instagram and Facebook during your bathroom time, you may want to reconsider. Keep in mind that others may be waiting their turn, and lingering around the restroom door isn’t the most comfortable scenario. On the other hand, if the restroom is occupied, it’s courteous to step away and return later. It’s unnecessary to wait outside the door, which could potentially be embarrassing for the occupant. However, if waiting is not feasible, forming a line is an acceptable option.
Don't peak through the stall gaps
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Making stall doors with a gap has benefits. If the door went all the way down, people couldn’t see if someone needed help. The gap helps in emergencies and lets responders assist without breaking in. Also, the gap can stop actions like sex or drug use, in stalls. But don’t make things weird by staring at people through them. That’s just uncomfortable.
