I really should have said something to this man shouldn't I?

[pinkypanther]

DH, DS (7 months) and I came back from holiday yesterday. The plane was about an hour late - most of this was spent on the tarmac which was annoying and particularly so as there were lots of young children on board who were getting fractious with having to sit down etc.

Eventually, we taxied off and got to the runway. We were stationary at the end of the run-way, ready to start moving for take-off when the man in the row behind me took his seat-belt off, stood up, and started rummaging in the overhead lockers. The nearest cabin crew (young guy, maybe 20-ish) shouted at him to sit down. He then replied that he was "only getting something" and then, when he sat down, remarked to his heavily pregnant wife, across the head of his 2 or 3 year old daughter, that the crew member was a "cheeky little fag".

I wasn't sure whether the crew member concerned heard this or just me, but I was and am brooding on the fact that I really should have challenged him. I didn't at the time because we were taking off but I really should have done so afterwards shouldn't I?

I then listened to him swearing and using bad language all the way through the flight. Just for his little daughter and his wife really.

I don't think there would have been any point, he'd have probably told you to fuck off which would have pissed you off even more and ended up even more nasty.

His wife probably thinks he's a knob too, but would be embarrassed if you said it.

I would have said something to him but it would have escalated the incident and made you all later.

there are horrible people everywhere. Be better than them. What's the point in starting an argument, just keep your dignity.

Out of curiosity, which airline was it?

for his wife? Was he swearing at her or did she look too delicate to hear swear words?

No point wasting breath on people like that...he may have got agressive with you.

The staff should have dealt with the swearing though and I may have quietly complained about that myself.

I am a gobby beeyatch and would have said something, deffo.

However, I don't blame you for keeping schtum. He sounds like a prize prick and in a confined space, when you have to spend the next few hours sitting near him, probably best not to rock the boat.

Twas BA.

for his wife because I would have been totally embarrassed had DH behaved like that and also because she seemed uncomfortable with how he was behaving in front of their daughter yet didn't say anything. She was also heavily pregnant.

I feel bad because I don't want to be one of those "walk on by" people who never say anything...yet I just sat there.

I would have let him have it, both barrels and then we would have been thrown off

Probably best you didn't, but it annoys me that this is the way it has become.

It's always a toss up whether to say something which lets the idiot concerned know that this kind of remark isn't on or whether to let it slide to keep the peace isn't it? But in a confined space with someone so determined to be a twat and probably showing off to wife and daughter no-one could blame you for not wanting to spend the flight with him swearing at you and your family.

I know I obsess about these things if I think I should have said something so if you're inclined to do that I'd give yourself a break. :)