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Man Shares Seat-Swap Story That Permanently Changed His Mind On Being Nice And Trading Seats
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Man Shares Seat-Swap Story That Permanently Changed His Mind On Being Nice And Trading Seats

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We constantly hear various tales about people sitting in the wrong seats and being forced to change them. Nowadays, it’s probably one of the most frequently discussed subjects online. Today, we have a superb addition to the collection of discussions.

It’s a story about a man who agreed to switch seats numerous times during one flight. And he wasn’t some kind of jerk who deliberately sat in the wrong seats. In fact, the whole sequence started because he planned to sit in his assigned place. 

More info: Reddit

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    Should you give up your assigned plane seat for someone else?

    Image credits: Toa Heftiba (not the actual photo)

    A man boarded a plane and noticed that there was a woman sitting in his assigned seat

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    Image credits: Kaysha (not the actual photo)

    She said she was settled there and gave him her place, which he took, but a few moments later, she asked for it back, saying it was due to her claustrophobia

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    Image credits: Mpumelelo Macu (not the actual photo)

    He switched, but shortly after, she exited the plane and gave him her seat back, which he was soon moved from by a new passenger

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    Image credits: u/joeshmoe117117

    Then, this passenger moved to another seat, giving him it back and resulting in the man switching seats numerous times before the flight even took off

    Today’s main story happened about 8 years ago. The OP was traveling from New York to Salt Lake City in Utah. He just spent around a week working and, in his words, “tindering” in New York. The night before the flight, he spent long hours working and going out. So, the man was tired and was looking forward to crashing into his plane seat as soon as possible. But the universe had other plans. 

    The guy’s seat was 12F. When he came to his seat, he noticed it was taken by some random woman. When faced with a situation like this, a traveler can simply inform a crew member. Then, the employee might ask the person to sit in their assigned seat so the traveler doesn’t need to deal with it. 

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    But the OP chose to confront the woman himself. When he did, the woman claimed it was her seat and he must be mistaken. Yet, he didn’t back down — after all, he had a ticket with a written seat number in his hand. The woman dug through her bag andfound a ticket that proved that she wasn’t in her place. 

    Then, she proceeded to ask the man to sit in her place because she was “settled.” Since the seats weren’t that different, he agreed. He sat and fell asleep. That didn’t take long, as he took some cold medicine beforehand that makes people sleepy. 

    But just as falling asleep didn’t take long, the sleep itself wasn’t long, either. A few moments later, the same woman woke the man and told him that she wanted her seat. She claimed she had claustrophobia. As you are probably aware, it’s a fear of confined spaces. About 12.5% of people have it.

    Since planes are basically closed-off tubes with a bunch of people inside, it is normal that some claustrophobics have a hard time flying. Enclosed space, limited room to move, and other passengers nearby are some claustrophobic peoples’ nightmare fuel. 

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    Yet, the original poster kind of doubted this woman’s claim about the condition. He thought that she might simply want to have the middle seat empty near her. But since he just wanted to sleep without any drama, he just let her sit in her assigned seat. For this reason, some other people nearby told this man that he was too nice for putting up with this behavior. But what else was he supposed to do, right?

    Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual photo)

    However, the desired uninterrupted sleep was still far from reach. A few other moments later, the same woman woke the man again to offer him her seat back. Apparently, she was having a panic attack and decided to exit the plane. So, the man offered others her seat, but when they didn’t take it, he took it himself. 

    If you thought that the woman exiting the plane would be the end of the whole story, you are sorely mistaken! Another character of a man bugging the OP appeared. Now, the author was the person sitting in someone else’s seat. Evidently, when the woman left the plane, her ticket was sold to this gentleman. While it’s usual to buy tickets online, in some cases, it is possible to buy them at the airport right before the flight, just like this man did. 

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    Again, not wanting to cause any scenes, the original poster moved seats. At this point, it’s kind of hard to keep count of how many times he did that. And it wasn’t even the last time! 

    Soon, he was woken up once more. This time, it was by the same guy who moved him. Now, he said that the OP can take his place, as he’s going to the back, where there are more open seats. And so, for the last time, the author moves. 

    Summarizing the story, the author himself said that he shouldn’t have let someone else take his seat in the first place. Well, the whole sequence was kind of amusing to read about, but it would have been very annoying to experience, so we can understand his frustration. 

    While many people in the comments were amused by this story, there were some who found some details questionable. For instance, why did the man keep switching seats when he sat on his own? This would’ve solved the situation, and he could’ve slept just like he had planned. 

    The original poster himself agreed that was a valid point. Yet, it doesn’t change the fact that he kept moving. Well, at least now he has a fun story to tell not only on Reddit but to people in his life as well.

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    People online found this whole sequence both funny and annoying because they wondered why he didn’t just stay in his own seat when he got it back

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    Ugnė Bulotaitė

    Ugnė Bulotaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I am a writer at Bored Panda. I have loved creating and writing down stories about people and things since I was little and I think this passion led me to get degrees in sociology, communication, and journalism. These degrees opened various paths for me, and I got a chance to be a volunteer in the human rights field, and also try myself out in social research and journalism areas. Besides writing, my passions include pop culture: music, movies, TV shows; literature, and board games. In fact, I have been dubbed a board games devotee by some people in my life.

    Read less »
    Ugnė Bulotaitė

    Ugnė Bulotaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I am a writer at Bored Panda. I have loved creating and writing down stories about people and things since I was little and I think this passion led me to get degrees in sociology, communication, and journalism. These degrees opened various paths for me, and I got a chance to be a volunteer in the human rights field, and also try myself out in social research and journalism areas. Besides writing, my passions include pop culture: music, movies, TV shows; literature, and board games. In fact, I have been dubbed a board games devotee by some people in my life.

    What do you think ?
    Add photo comments
    POST
    LuckyTanuki
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do people actually wake others up randomly like that? I would never even consider waking up a sleeping stranger let alone multiple times for something so trivial as a seat. I wouldn't be able to find it in myself to wake them up and disturb them.

    AKA AKA
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i'd have just stayed asleep in my seat. sorry not sorry

    Yu Pan
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OMG I'm tired just from reading this. I'm actually angry at OP for even allowing it to go this far.

    Terry Rex
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think he should have called a flight attendant and let them handle the lady in the first place. But I definitely wouldn't have kept switching seats with her after the first switch.

    Hilary Rost
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was asked if I could give up my seat and change as there was a problem with one of the three seats where a family was sitting. I had no problem and immediately gave up my seat and we changed. I was fine and thought no more of it. However the reaction from the crew was amazing. They kept thanking me. You would have thought I had done something amazing. When I got off the plane they all lined up to thank me. Reading the number of seat changing incidents that you see nowadays, I am beginning to understand why. I must have made their day.

    HTakeover
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sounds like the setup, or side story, to a comedy like the original version of Death at a Funeral with Alan Tudyk. Get the right people, and it could be funny as hell.

    Donna
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know how it feels to be extremely tired. You will agree to anything so they will go away and you can get back to sleep.

    Display_Name
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    After I got back to 12F then I would have stayed. If I got tapped on my shoulder, I would've asked,"Are you wearing wings or a taser?" before opening my eyes. If the answer was no then I would say,"Come back when you have both."

    Melissa anderson
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would have made her move out of my assigned seat and ignore her for the test of the time. Karen’s don’t deserve courtesy

    -
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some movie theatres have assigned seating - some folks are dogmatic about it and some are not. My husband walked out after we were bumped twice. I got bumped a third time, then stood until other folks were settled. Sneaked a seat under cover of darkness. Obviously, much harder to do that on planes, trains, and automobiles.

    Just saying
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was on a Ryanair flight recently that actually told us to sit in our assigned seats over the tannoy.

    Key Lime
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had paid extra for a window seat. There was an older lady sitting in my seat. She said she was fine where she was. I called the flight attendant to shift her. I sat in my window seat and napped for the whole flight. This lady, now sitting beside me in the middle seat, got up to pee twice. Glad I didn't let her keep my seat.

    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'll switch only for a better seat. I tend to reserve my seat well in advance and will pay more on some flights.

    michele mbennett101044@yahoo.c
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nope, OP should not have started this cluster f**k by allowing the woman in his seat to take his assigned seat. Everyone has the opportunity and ability to pick their seat when reserving their ticket, if she truly needed to have that seat because of her "issues" she should have made the effort to secure a seat that would accommodate her. This is her problem, not OP'S or anyone else's. She was just gaslighting OP to get her way. Sorry b***h, go get in your own assigned seat, have a nice flight ✈️

    LuckyTanuki
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do people actually wake others up randomly like that? I would never even consider waking up a sleeping stranger let alone multiple times for something so trivial as a seat. I wouldn't be able to find it in myself to wake them up and disturb them.

    AKA AKA
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i'd have just stayed asleep in my seat. sorry not sorry

    Yu Pan
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OMG I'm tired just from reading this. I'm actually angry at OP for even allowing it to go this far.

    Terry Rex
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think he should have called a flight attendant and let them handle the lady in the first place. But I definitely wouldn't have kept switching seats with her after the first switch.

    Hilary Rost
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was asked if I could give up my seat and change as there was a problem with one of the three seats where a family was sitting. I had no problem and immediately gave up my seat and we changed. I was fine and thought no more of it. However the reaction from the crew was amazing. They kept thanking me. You would have thought I had done something amazing. When I got off the plane they all lined up to thank me. Reading the number of seat changing incidents that you see nowadays, I am beginning to understand why. I must have made their day.

    HTakeover
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sounds like the setup, or side story, to a comedy like the original version of Death at a Funeral with Alan Tudyk. Get the right people, and it could be funny as hell.

    Donna
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know how it feels to be extremely tired. You will agree to anything so they will go away and you can get back to sleep.

    Display_Name
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    After I got back to 12F then I would have stayed. If I got tapped on my shoulder, I would've asked,"Are you wearing wings or a taser?" before opening my eyes. If the answer was no then I would say,"Come back when you have both."

    Melissa anderson
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would have made her move out of my assigned seat and ignore her for the test of the time. Karen’s don’t deserve courtesy

    -
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some movie theatres have assigned seating - some folks are dogmatic about it and some are not. My husband walked out after we were bumped twice. I got bumped a third time, then stood until other folks were settled. Sneaked a seat under cover of darkness. Obviously, much harder to do that on planes, trains, and automobiles.

    Just saying
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was on a Ryanair flight recently that actually told us to sit in our assigned seats over the tannoy.

    Key Lime
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had paid extra for a window seat. There was an older lady sitting in my seat. She said she was fine where she was. I called the flight attendant to shift her. I sat in my window seat and napped for the whole flight. This lady, now sitting beside me in the middle seat, got up to pee twice. Glad I didn't let her keep my seat.

    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'll switch only for a better seat. I tend to reserve my seat well in advance and will pay more on some flights.

    michele mbennett101044@yahoo.c
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nope, OP should not have started this cluster f**k by allowing the woman in his seat to take his assigned seat. Everyone has the opportunity and ability to pick their seat when reserving their ticket, if she truly needed to have that seat because of her "issues" she should have made the effort to secure a seat that would accommodate her. This is her problem, not OP'S or anyone else's. She was just gaslighting OP to get her way. Sorry b***h, go get in your own assigned seat, have a nice flight ✈️

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