Your in My SPACE!

We all have our own comfort level when it comes to our "space". Some people need a wide distance around them to feel comfortable;

other people? Not so much.

For me it all depends upon if I know the person. I'm very comfortable with people I know. Heck - I'm a "touchy-feely" person - I'm Italian for cripes sake!

But when I'm around strangers, I DO like my own personal space.

Unfortunately, this space is reduced drastically when flying on a commercial airline, unless you have the luxury to fly first class.

Let me tell you, poor little ole me is seated at the back of the plane.

It seems that the seats are getting smaller (or am I just getting bigger)? The seats are closer to the ones in front of them, leaving it barely impossible to move once you are seated.

Now,  I am not a little woman, but I am no where near as big as this person:

I can fit in a seat AND buckle the seat belt!

On both flights to and from Chicago I had an aisle seat. This guarantees me my own arm rest and I don't bother anyone if I have to go to the bathroom.

When I am seated I try not to let ANY  part of my body touch the person next to me if at all possible.

Is it coming across that I'm trying to be nondescript, not bothering anyone?

It bugs the crap out of me when people recline their seats.

There is just no room for this anymore on the current jetliners.

I'm sorry. I don't think it should be allowed.

In fact, I think they should REMOVE the reclining option from the seats altogether.

Unless it's an international flight.

But then they should give more leg room so that if the person in front of you decides to recline their seat, it won't inconvenience the person behind them.

During my return trip to Phoenix, the guy in front of me reclined his seat for practically the whole trip.

So while he was spread out and comfortable, I had very little room to move.

Then the young woman in the middle seat next to me had to use the bathroom.

What I SHOULD have done was ask the man to move his seat back up.

But I didn't.

Instead, I had to become a CONTORTIONIST

to get my body OUT of my seat, my legs OVER the arm rest, and my stomach AROUND the guy's stupid headrest as it jutted into my space.

HE was sleeping comfortably.

I SHOULD have done this:



and say, "Move the HELL up!"

But I didn't.

Years ago when we flew back from Ireland, the man in front of me reclined his seat so far back that his head was in my lap.

I.KID.YOU.NOT.

And to make matters worse?

He had really bad breath.

I wanted to say, "Don't you think you should introduce yourself before you put your head in my lap?"

But I didn't.

I took a short train ride to my daughter's house. The train was packed for the holidays. There was luggage EVERYWHERE. I was lucky to get a seat, which happened to be in the first row right behind the pile of luggage and next to a seat hogger woman. She was an average-sized woman, but she like to take up more than her seat. I'm assuming there was an arm rest to separate the two seats and that she put it up so that she could have more room. Then, probably to her dismay, I sat down next to her.

I didn't think about the armrest right off the bat; that is, until she kept bumping into me and saying, "Excuse me".

I tried to read my book, and every so often would glance over at her. I noticed that her legs were spread wide (she had pants on) and her feet were resting on her luggage. She literally was sprawled in her seat.

A few times she rested her elbow on my muffin top!

Seriously!

Now THAT is in my SPACE!!

I kept inching over more and more till I was leaning in the aisle.

I wanted to say, "Move over lady!"

BUT I DIDN'T

Luckily I was getting off at the first stop so it was just a little over an hour ride. She was probably relieved, too. I'm sure she spread out on that seat like a spilled drink!

THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS: Please be respectful of another person's "space". There are meek people out there who won't say anything even if they WANT to!

THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.....UH, IF THAT'S OKAY WITH YOU!!