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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

This gives me all the rage… probably irrationally. Does it you?

91 replies

Jessforless · 08/12/2023 09:59

I’m on a plane right now (delayed 🫣) and the person across the aisle is my brother…

the person behind is doing this…. Would this bother you? Maybe it’s the delay but for some reason it’s making me really angry 😅

OP posts:
malmi · 08/12/2023 11:19

Oh dear, his legs are too long to fit under the seat.

I am imagining this guy's other leg going straight across the other passengers' laps with his shoe against the window.

Can you signal to your brother to surreptitiously tie his shoelace to the metal bracket? If so, then don't, because that's mean.

Shep21 · 08/12/2023 11:24

6ft 4 husband does this & I do too at only 5ft 7. We both have some knee issues if not walking or stretched regularly. Planes are cramped so if you’re on an aisle I’d expect most people to do this at some point. I’m sure he’ll move when needed.

TyneFilth · 08/12/2023 11:27

I'm sure I saw a scene in a TV show where someone was sitting like this, then there was in-flight turbulence, a trolley ran out of control down the aisle and broke the leg/ankle/knee in a horrible way. Does that make you feel better? Is there a word for future-schadenfreude?

CornishPorsche · 08/12/2023 11:28

It's far far far better than knees being forced into your lower back which is the alternative here.

What's the problem? He's not touching either of you, he's not got his shoes off, he's not trying to cause you a problem?

He'll clearly have to move his leg when the staff come past, but that's his issue not yours.

Weird problem you have

AgnesX · 08/12/2023 11:34

There are so many other things that are more annoying (like the guy next to me who spent the entire flight to the Canaries eating, and I mean the entire flight, scrunching, munching and slurping). Amongst others.

That one's at the bottom of the list

RampantIvy · 08/12/2023 11:51

Unfortunately, planes are designed to get as many passengers in as possible and are only comfortable for the vertically challenged or children.

The most cramped flight I ever took was in an Airtours plane. I find Jet2 have enough leg room for me at 5'7", but DH always pays for an extra legroom seat.

MarmitePizza · 08/12/2023 11:58

I’m a bit worried about myself looking at all the previous responses, but yes it would make me absolutely fucking furious!

I try to go about my business in such a way as not to impinge on anybody’s personal space or inconvenience them at all and I’d love it if other people did too.

I’m still furious that the girl behind me put her fur coat over the back of MY seat at a Lionel Richie concert… and that was 25 years ago!

IsItOverYetAndCanIComeOutNow · 08/12/2023 12:05

It wouldn’t even register on my radar. Not impinging anyone, no problem there at all.

KimberleyClark · 08/12/2023 12:09

It’s not as annoying as when women with long hair throw it over the back of their seat so that’s in your space.

teenysaladandsniffofarose · 08/12/2023 12:10

It wouldn't bother me... and I'm easily pissed off😂

DOBARDAN · 08/12/2023 12:10

I have been on flights where someone has done exactly the same thing and they've been told not to, due to safety reasons. Could be a tripping hazard for the crew and other passengers.

muckymayhem · 08/12/2023 12:18

But who is it harming? If he's constantly jiggling your brothers seat I can see that would be irritating for him - but why is it annoying you? As long as he's not impeding the crew - but if he is they will ask him to move his leg - or maybe he'll get a bruise from the trolley?! Maybe you should shut your eyes and have a little nap until this flight is over 🫣The world is full of irritating people and there's probably quite a few on your flight.

CalistoNoSolo · 08/12/2023 12:25

I'd get up and accidentally on purpose stamp on his foot. But that would be as much to do with the horrible trackies he's inflicting on the world, as his stupid foot being in the way.

Thatladdo · 08/12/2023 12:28

Its part of the experience of flying in the back of the plane 😆
Look for positives! Its not a screaming baby and your chair isnt being repeatedly kicked from behind

Cosywintertime · 08/12/2023 12:28

CalistoNoSolo · 08/12/2023 12:25

I'd get up and accidentally on purpose stamp on his foot. But that would be as much to do with the horrible trackies he's inflicting on the world, as his stupid foot being in the way.

Wow. What made you wake up and choose violence.

pickledandpuzzled · 08/12/2023 12:32

It would bother me purely because I’d be worrying about trip hazards and unable to relax.

It’s like when you see someone’s toddler playing near the edge of a harbour. I need to leave.

Ozgirl75 · 08/12/2023 12:33

I’m mardy bitch who gets irritated at loads of things, but this wouldn’t bother me. It’s just a leg.

Floooooof · 08/12/2023 12:34

It probably is unreasonable but it would annoy me too...if I was in your brother's seat I would feel like his foot was in my space. You'd have to step over it to go to the loo. It's like a version of man spreading, though I do get the seats are cramped

Ozgirl75 · 08/12/2023 12:34

CalistoNoSolo · 08/12/2023 12:25

I'd get up and accidentally on purpose stamp on his foot. But that would be as much to do with the horrible trackies he's inflicting on the world, as his stupid foot being in the way.

You ok hun? Only you sound unhinged.

stayathomer · 08/12/2023 12:35

They look squished!!! I actually feel sorry for them!!!

OhNoOhNo · 08/12/2023 12:37

It annoys you because women don’t do this manspreading.

In my experience women are often glared at or abused by men just for existing.

Cosywintertime · 08/12/2023 12:40

OhNoOhNo · 08/12/2023 12:37

It annoys you because women don’t do this manspreading.

In my experience women are often glared at or abused by men just for existing.

That’s not true, I’m female, I’m tall, I put my leg like that on planes, as does my daughter. Plenty of women do it. It’s height related. Not gender related.

Ponderingwindow · 08/12/2023 12:40

His leg is in the aisle, not in anyone’s space.

as a woman with long legs who spends flights with her knees wedged into the seat in front of her, I too take every chance to stretch that I can. Every flight ends in agony. Before someone counters with buy an upgraded seat, not every plane even has additional leg room seats.

OpenLanes · 08/12/2023 12:44

It would bother me, but I'd also recognise he's not specifically doing anything wrong.
People have different comfort levels with personal space and if someone is very comfortable being in or having others very close then they'll likely not even be aware of the discomfort it can cause others, as you can tell by this thread it seems more common to not have much need for or awareness of personal space.

Willyoujustbequiet · 08/12/2023 12:45

Unless his feet were smelly no it wouldn't bother me at all.