No Ma’am, I didn’t chainsaw your dog in half

[TokyoBayer]

No blood spots nor grey splatters of brain matter should have been the first clue. My shirt is clean and my hands still white. Search in vain for shreds of puppy entails.

While we’re at it, I didn’t rape your daughter, embezzle your retirement or bugger your son. Not a criminal or a predator; I’m not a registered sex offender. This morning, I showered, shaved applied deodorant and even put on fresh underwear so you don’t have to look at me with such unbridled disgust. Shit, I didn’t even pull out my dick and started masturbating like a motherfucker.

That’s my wife next to me, not some tramp off the streets. A willow in size, a mountain of class, she’s ignoring your pitiful attempt at a withering stare. You may own a Hermes but it’s obvious you’ve never afforded humanity.

I never spit in your coffee or coughed phlegm on your silk blouse. Nice blouse, too. Dior? Every goddamn thing you own and are wearing has someone’s brand written all over it so we can safely assume you wish to advertise that you, or at least your husband has money, but melting your platinum-tinted plastic in designer boutiques only proves that class is earned, not purchased.

My wife isn’t hitting on your husband and we’re not bad mouthing you at the club. Hell, I didn’t even lick anyone else’s phlegm off of your blouse.

I didn’t fart and I’m not white trash. I’ve never dated my sister or French kissed my mother. So you can fucking stop giving me the evil eye anytime now.

Your loud sighs –not only laments of the cruelty of fate which brought us in such close proximity and repulsion of our ilk but also pathetic pleas for deliverance from disabling discomfort fail to move us, nether emotionally – though it does install much mirth at such madness – nor physically, because while you shake your fists and gnash your teeth at whatever god has forsaken you, the simple fact remains; the movie theater has reserved seats and ours are next to yours.

Staring down strangers for daring to sit in assigned seats if fucking rude, rich bitch. So is rolling your eyes, narrowing your brows and quivering your shoulders. I didn’t start that damn fool war in war, and I don’t slap babies. Save your unbridled hatred for someone who deserves it.

You may wish that no one sits next to you. Sister, I would have preferred sitting next to a deranged, scurvy-ridden toothless whore with bloody gums and open puss-oozing sores, (with all due apologies to any deranged, scurvy-ridden toothless whores with bloody gums and open puss-oozing sores reading this) than submit my body to risk contamination from the pretensions of the obnoxious rich bitches of the world.

Don’t want someone sitting next to you? Buy another fucking ticket. Someone’s spent $20k on that watch, you can afford $15 on buying a buffer seat.

You want a zen experience? Go to a temple. Obviously there is nothing of consequence in your little pathetic life if such non-events as close proximity trigger this level of outrage.

Honey dear, since your mother didn’t take a momentary break from her nonstop bridge games to clue you in, I’ll let you know. The world is filled with people. Other people. People you don’t know and people who don’t know you. And we will sit next to you. Look up “whiny” in the dictionary, note your picture and get down from your fucking high horse.


ANDOHMYGOODGODINHEAVENORHELLORWHEREEVERTHEFUCKHEORSHEISHAVEMERCYOVERUSALL. No. That’s not me pull-starting a chainsaw. But thanks for whirring around to check. I would have fired that sucker up if (1) I had one and (2) you had brought along your dog. No, that’s the sound of my wife quietly reaching into a plastic bag to pull out a sandwich. I’m impressed you’re able to hear the minor rustle over the blaring commercials which preclude the previews which preclude the movie. We’re still 15 minutes away from the show and the house lights are only half off. Obviously, though, you’re completely dim.

With only a little more work on that stare you could dry paint. With your meanness, it’s no doubt that you have dried up long ago. In the last 25 years the closest you’ve come to receiving physical love is the latex-gloved index finger of your GYN during your annual pap smear.

Not happy with people eating in movie theaters, even before the start? Complain to the management which sells the damn food. Or fucking move to a different country, because it’s acceptable here. See the guy in the row ahead of us with his Big Mac?

But watch how hard you push your fingers into your temple. Were you not brainless, not to mention soulless, it may hurt.

You’re too pathetic to provoke, too stupid to scorn. I shake my head in wonder at the terrible fate which has befallen you. That you would have to share your life come in near contact with ordinary mortals and cannot always be surrounded by Pretty People must be really, really tragic.

Oh, since you are staring at me in obvious discomfort reaching levels of physical pain, I must conclude I’ve been rude. I’m so, so, so terribly sorry. I’m eating in front of you. I hold out one of my fries. Would you like to stare? I only dropped it once!

Shhh! You don’t need to scream, and the movie is starting now.

Have a nice day!

[if6was9]

So how'd you chainsaw him in half with no splatter? Who is it that has has the sig line that you HAVE to examine the snot spray?

[if6was9]

A willow in size, a mountain of class,
Wow! That's good. :)

[Larry Borgia]

What was the movie?

[dnooman]

If I were in your position, and sitting next to the perfect woman who would soon be my wife, I would have started up a nice conversation with my SO.

"Hey honey, how about some rough fisting later on tonight?"

"I thought you'd never ask! You or me?"

"First one, then the other!"

"Sounds great!"

"Would you mind jacking me off during the movie?"

"Of course not honey. Just be sure to spit in my face a lot. You know how I like that."

"Hey, ask that couple if they want to join us!"

"Nah. It's much more fun to just surprise them with a tongue in the ear."

Continue this until the bitch runs screaming. Trip her on her way out if possible. Think of it as job security for her therapist if nothing else.

[Koxinga]

I'm guessing that you're a gaijin in Japan, with a Japanese wife. Was the woman's attitude xenophobia? I hear tell the Japanese are famous for it.

[Captain Carrot]

My God, sir. That was a fucking work of art.

[Mighty_Girl]

That's just poetry!

[TokyoBayer]

I'm a gaijin (foreigner) in Japan, with a Taiwanese wife, and as such cannot be told apart from a native. She sat down first, while I was buying the food, and the woman gave her a look down her nose. There was no question that she didn't like someone seating next to her. They were sitting in the middle of the row, which the rest was empty, but the theator

The Lady in Red normally dresses down, an advantage of academia, and our friend in designer clothes, including a fucking jacket, this is Tokyo in the summer(!), just shudders that a plebian would invade her space.

[TokyoBayer]

Deleted.

[sturmhauke]

Are you sure you didn't chainsaw her dog? I mean, being a gaijin, maybe you suddenly flipped out and did it, cleaned up the evidence, and now you don't remember.

[Gary Kumquat]

Raise up one leg, grunt , sigh with relief, put leg back down, smile at your neighbour.

[Manduck]

You burning her dog?

[Koxinga]

Maybe seeing you guys together brought up some unpleasant memories (http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/7731/karatesd3.jpg)

[dnooman]

Maybe seeing you guys together brought up some unpleasant memories (http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/7731/karatesd3.jpg)
OMG!!! :eek:

After he murders that dude, there is going to be a wine stain on the comforter!

Also, his various weapons used in the murder will be blood stained. I bet that fucker didn't even take off his shoes before entering the house!! Hehe.

[bbs2k]

:: Stands and claps ::

That was wonderful.

Chainsaw = lame though. You probably would have gotten a better reaction by spilling your drink on her shoes.

[Boyo Jim]

All this for a glare? Not even a word exchanged?

Talk about kabuki theater!

[Baldwin]

Did the lady you don't like actually express any of the attitudes you ascribe to her, or have you developed telepathy? Is it possible you're expressing your own prejudices?

[The Great Sun Jester]

Talk about kabuki theater!erf...thought for a moment you'd said, "bukkake theater."


Very nice rant. A little over the top given the situation, perhaps, but what is art if not an grandiose exposition of life's minor details?

[susan_foster]

Very nice rant. A little over the top given the situation, perhaps, but what is art if not an grandiose exposition of life's minor details?

Slightly over the top, yes.

This line:


Obviously there is nothing of consequence in your little pathetic life if such non-events as close proximity trigger this level of outrage.

makes me want to say pot calling kettle black.

Susan

[tdn]

Great rant, but here's where you lost me:

I’ve never dated my sister or French kissed my mother.
Yeah, as if. I suppose you also leap tall buildings in a single bound. :rolleyes:

[Vinyl Turnip]

Did the lady you don't like actually express any of the attitudes you ascribe to her, or have you developed telepathy? Is it possible you're expressing your own prejudices?

Huh. If noticing a stranger's dirty looks, sighs, eye-rolling, generally hostile body language and facial expressions is "telepathy," I'm applying for the Randi challenge today.

(Now that we've gotten the mandatory "maybe you were the asshole!" post out of the way... nice rant, TokyoPlayer!)

[Waverly]

A willow can be 70 feet tall and 3 feet in diameter.

[BMalion]

... (with all due apologies to any deranged, scurvy-ridden toothless whores with bloody gums and open puss-oozing sores reading this) ...

Thank you for saying that, I was starting to feel bit miffed.

[garygnu]

That was great. I forgive the "overreaction" due to your eloquent prose.
It saddens me that there are people like that in the world. It saddens me more that one is my mother-in-law.

[CaerieD]

A willow can be 70 feet tall and 3 feet in diameter.

Good God, the woman wasn't looking at you. She was staring at your freakish wife. :eek:

[lieu]

I’ve never dated my sister or French kissed my mother. Braggart.

[sturmhauke]

That was great. I forgive the "overreaction" due to your eloquent prose.
It saddens me that there are people like that in the world. It saddens me more that one is my mother-in-law.
Your mother-in-law was the woman whose dog was chainsawed by TokyoPlayer?!

[Duke of Rat]

It's situations like that in the OP that make me wish I could fart on demand.

[Baldwin]

Huh. If noticing a stranger's dirty looks, sighs, eye-rolling, generally hostile body language and facial expressions is "telepathy," I'm applying for the Randi challenge today.

(Now that we've gotten the mandatory "maybe you were the asshole!" post out of the way... nice rant, TokyoPlayer!)
Not mandatory, but a reasonable response. Simply "noticing" body language and considering a likely emotion behind it is a far cry from ascribing the kind of thoughts and motives that the OP seems to be able to sense.

You may wish that no one sits next to you. Sister, I would have preferred sitting next to a deranged, scurvy-ridden toothless whore with bloody gums and open puss-oozing sores, (with all due apologies to any deranged, scurvy-ridden toothless whores with bloody gums and open puss-oozing sores reading this) than submit my body to risk contamination from the pretensions of the obnoxious rich bitches of the world.This seems like ridiculous, prejudiced melodramatic vitreol. And it's pus-oozing, not puss-oozing.

[SpazCat]

But watch how hard you push your fingers into your temple. Were you not brainless, not to mention soulless, it may hurt.


Not to mention her head might cave in, what with no brain holding it in place.

[glee]

It's situations like that in the OP that make me wish I could fart on demand.

This is the perfect answer on so many social occasions...

[andros]

This seems like ridiculous, prejudiced melodramatic vitreol. And it's pus-oozing, not puss-oozing.Not in my case. I suffer from subcutaneous cat infection.

And it's vitriol, not vitreol. Gawd bless ya, Gaudere.




TokyoPlayer, if the rest of the row was empty, why sit right next to the other folks?
.

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

TokyoPlayer, if the rest of the row was empty, why sit right next to the other folks?
. From the OP: "Staring down strangers for daring to sit in assigned seats [is] fucking rude, rich bitch."

[andros]

.
Check. Thanks.
.

[UncleRojelio]

You shoulda whipped out the cell and started randomly texting everyone in your addressbook exactly what you thought of her, making sure you were in a position where she could read what you were typing. And then farted.

[vibrotronica]

Actually, I was the one who chainsawed the dog. Thanks for covering for me!

[Autolycus]

Wait, you Gaijin Optic Blasted her and she still didn't stop staring? You should have Gaijin Smash (http://www.gaijinsmash.net/archives/gaijin_smash.phtml)ed her.

[Vinyl Turnip]

And it's pus-oozing, not puss-oozing.

Or in the worst case, it could be both.

[Tabula Rasa]

It's situations like that in the OP that make me wish I could fart on demand.

You're just not focusing properly. It's like Luke trying to lift the rock during his Yoda lessons.

[Isamu]

Not mandatory, but a reasonable response. Simply "noticing" body language and considering a likely emotion behind it is a far cry from ascribing the kind of thoughts and motives that the OP seems to be able to sense.


This report is brought to you by "someone who has never lived in Japan".

[Cat Whisperer]

Now, I have a question for anyone who has lived in Japan - I know a white Canadian guy who has lived there, who has a Japanese wife (I think), and he says he has experienced very little prejudice against foreigners there. I need the Straight Dope on this - is there or isn't there an extreme amount of prejudice against foreigners in Japan?

[lobstermobster]

Thank you for saying that, I was starting to feel bit miffed.

Seconded. Apology accepted. Although I just about have the scurvy under control.

[Isamu]

Now, I have a question for anyone who has lived in Japan - I know a white Canadian guy who has lived there, who has a Japanese wife (I think), and he says he has experienced very little prejudice against foreigners there. I need the Straight Dope on this - is there or isn't there an extreme amount of prejudice against foreigners in Japan?

There is a lot of prejudice but it's usually not readily visible. It is true that Japanese are, as a people, and if you can stand broad generalizations, one of the most polite peoples in the world. This is a surface (tatemae) gesture only though.

So if you live here for a few years, you may not even notice, apart from a few isolated cases. Live here for longer, attempt to integrate into society and live a normal life, with credit cards, insurance, start a business, hire a car, book into a hotel, go to a club after work - you will start to see more than what is on the surface.

Here's a translation from oral testimony given in a recent anti-discrimination court case in Japan (that ended ambiguously) There is still no anti racial discrimination laws that protect foreigners in Japan.

Mr Komoda: Concretely, what sort of problems were there with foreigners at Green Sauna?

Mr Kobayashi: First, I experienced a sort of overpowering feeling whenever I was in the room with foreigners, not to mention a powerful body odor coming from them. I don't know whether it was a sweat from the heat or a cold sweat, but I remember I was sweating whenever they were around.
- Otaru Onsen Oral Testimony

[dnooman]

Seconded. Apology accepted. Although I just about have the scurvy under control.
Go suck an orange!





















It'll help with your scurvy.

[Isamu]

Now, I have a question for anyone who has lived in Japan - I know a white Canadian guy who has lived there, who has a Japanese wife (I think), and he says he has experienced very little prejudice against foreigners there. I need the Straight Dope on this - is there or isn't there an extreme amount of prejudice against foreigners in Japan?

Also, I think a lot depends on your mindset too. People who come here with the mindset of "I'm a funny looking foreigner in a strange land, and I'm just here to kill a few years before I start my life" have a very different experience from others who just want to be treated like everyone else.

If you want to read a bit about the treatement of some educators at some Japanese universities, I suggest reading the PALE archives.

http://www.debito.org/PALE/

Not all universities are like these of course, but reading the experiences of these people is enough to make you realise something is wrong.

[Isamu]

It’s not all doom and gloom though! A recent survey shows that almost 60% of Japanese people think that foreigners in Japan should have the same basic human rights protected as Japanese people do. That’s some progress from earlier surveys. Yay!

http://whatjapanthinks.com/2007/08/27/human-rights-in-japan-part-2-of-3/

I'll stop spamming the board now, unless someone has some questions for me.

[cochrane]

It's situations like that in the OP that make me wish I could fart on demand.You're just not focusing properly. It's like Luke trying to lift the rock during his Yoda lessons.
If you can levitate yourself using a force from within, but not THE force, you just might be a redneck Jedi.

[TokyoBayer]

All this for a glare? Not even a word exchanged?

Talk about kabuki theater!If only it were just a single glare, then I wouldn't have thought much of it, let alone let it bother me, but from the time my wife, the Lady in Red ,first sits down until we get through the commercials and previews, some 20-odd minutes (which should be a Pitting in and of itself) this "lady" keeps a nonstop, intentionally obvious barrage of broadcasting exaggerated expressions of disgust; including all the actions in the OP (although I admit taking poetic license in that she seems more like a cat person – while I would love to chainsaw a yippy dog, even I wouldn't do that to a cat, it ruins the meat) and more.

When a woman slowly looks your wife up and down, stares at her t-shit for a few seconds, widens her eyes briefly while pursing her lips and then with a shutter of her shoulders and several quick shakes of her head – as if she had just witnesses something so terribly wrong that it would cause nightmares -- she turns and whispers a comment to her friend, glances back and then resumes the comments, does it really take a clairvoyant to realize she's unhappy with us?

For the last five minutes before the movie, she held her hand up to her face, blocking any possibility of her eyes wandering over to us in the semi-dark.

We did nothing, absolutely nothing, to bring on this level of contempt and scorn. I would have said something, but for my wife staring daggers at me when I was ready to make a comment. It's just fucking rude, and there's no possible excuse to keep it up for so long. If she was unhappy with up for whatever fucking reason she had, she could simply have looked away from us and talked to her friend.

If she had a problem with us sitting next to us, then she could have moved. It was assigned seating, so I wasn't going to move, especially in light of her obnoxious behavior.

While she was throwing this tizzy fit, I kept trying to think of reasons which Miss Manners would find an appropriate basis for that obviously rudeness. For example, if you were in a social gathering and someone who had splattered your best china with your dog's blood, then staring at him until he, or perhaps her, – let's make this an equal-opportunity lunacy -- feels uncomfortable would likely pass muster.

[Autolycus]

As some-one who has not lived in Japan for more than a few months at a time, but who has studied Japanese culture extensively and broached the subject of gaijin (foreigner) discrimation numerous times, I wholeheartedly endorse Isamu's contributions to the thread. Being a tourist is fine, but trying to gain full, equal acceptance into life in Japan can be a daunting task.

Here is a satirical link that has a fair chunk of truth in it actually... No Gaijin Allowed (http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/The_%22No_Gaijin_Allowed%22%27s_of_Japan).

[dnooman]

As some-one who has not lived in Japan for more than a few months at a time, but who has studied Japanese culture extensively and broached the subject of gaijin (foreigner) discrimation numerous times, I wholeheartedly endorse Isamu's contributions to the thread. Being a tourist is fine, but trying to gain full, equal acceptance into life in Japan can be a daunting task.

Here is a satirical link that has a fair chunk of truth in it actually... No Gaijin Allowed (http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/The_%22No_Gaijin_Allowed%22%27s_of_Japan).


Wait a second.... That's not even slightly hilarious!

What the fuck?

[Isamu]

Wait a second.... That's not even slightly hilarious!

What the fuck?

*shrug* I thought it was funny.... :D

[TokyoBayer]

Wait a second.... That's not even slightly hilarious!

What the fuck?Have you been to or lived in Japan? It may take some personal experience to appreciate the humor.

[Sublight]

Strange, I thought Uncyclopedia carried false information.

Anyway, I think I saw that woman on the train this morning. 50-ish, look of absolute disdainful revulsion toward everything as she got on the train. Eyebrows up, mouth pulled down, it looked like she'd had that expression tattooed on her face.

[dnooman]

*shrug* I thought it was funny.... :D
That was a failed attempt at humor on my part. I meant no offense to anyone.

[Sublight]

Now, I have a question for anyone who has lived in Japan - I know a white Canadian guy who has lived there, who has a Japanese wife (I think), and he says he has experienced very little prejudice against foreigners there. I need the Straight Dope on this - is there or isn't there an extreme amount of prejudice against foreigners in Japan?
Yes, no, maybe. Depends on a lot of things, including the gaijin in question. For me at least, there's a strong perception that it's out there, but I've been on the receiving end of very little of it.

[greatly over-simplifying] Start with a country that's 99% homogeneous in terms of race, religion, language and culture, and in which the language, religion (Shinto, anyway) and much of the culture are not shared with any other country. Add to that a nationalized eduction system that focuses (rigidly so) on socialization with very little exposure to anything outside Japan (until recently, and even then not so much). What you get is 130 million people raised to believe that there is one, and only one, correct way of doing everything. Dealing with gaijin becomes then a question of "how do you handle someone who does everything wrong?"

Some folks are simply racist assholes. At the opposite end, some folks are eager to experience new and different things and think foreigners are really cool. In the middle are the majority who are going to have varying degrees of curiosity and nervousness around people who look, speak, think and act differently from everything that they (the Japanese) were taught was correct. And because encounters with foreigners aren't an everyday experience, even in Tokyo (we're only 1% of the population, and the majority of that are the 'invisible' Korean and Chinese residents), perceptions are heavily colored by media portrayals or the loud drunks they saw on the train way back when. A calm and friendly attitude, plus some basic language skills (or an attempt at such), will get a positive reaction from just about everyone. Awkward and personal questions toward foreigners are also pretty common, and I know of some who get offended by them. I maintain a sense of humor and figure every bit of education (for both sides) helps.

All of the open racism I've encountered has been from apartment realtors (hopefully Rico won't warn me for saying that). Taxis have always stopped for me, restaurants have always given me a seat, and the police have never hassled me (although from what I hear, I'm the exception on that last one). When people have been prejudiced (in the most innocuous definition of the word) toward me, it's usually manifested itself as quiet nervousness or over-solicitousness (yes I can read the menu, yes I can use chopsticks, yes I know what this sauce is, no I don't need a fork, thank you). If I encounter them a second time, the reception is usually friendlier.

The law is a different matter entirely. There's nothing in Japanese law that forbids discrimination against non-Japanese. Japan has, however, signed UN treaties outlawing discrimination, and courts here have ruled that these treaty agreements have the force of law within Japan. Enforcement is non-existent, however, and the only businesses that have been successfully called on it (in civil suits) are ones that have been unusually blatant about it (putting "No Foreigners" signs in the front window).

As an aside, Debito (from Isamu's link) is a somewhat divisive figure within the gaijin community. Personally, I think he's Al Sharpton without the charisma. His approach seems to be jumping into every conflict, making a lot of noise and confrontation, and starting lots of lawsuits to bring about sweeping legal reforms. I'm more interested in creating small-scale social change by being active in my local community, making all the friends I can, and generally trying to be an example of "let's all get along".

[TokyoBayer]

I've opened this thread to (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=8935503#post8935503) allow questions concerning Japan. Let's move any general questions over there.

[Duke of Rat]

You're just not focusing properly. It's like Luke trying to lift the rock during his Yoda lessons.

Yeah, well, Luke wasn't in danger of shitting his pants if he lost focus. That's the difference between dropping a rock and dropping a loaf. There is no try, only doo-doo.

[This'll Do]

Yeah, well, Luke wasn't in danger of shitting his pants if he lost focus. That's the difference between dropping a rock and dropping a loaf. There is no try, only doo-doo. (bolding added)

::sniffle:: That's beautiful, man.*

May I use this for a sig? It resonates wonderfully with my line of work.



*Evidently an excess of Dope has had a deleterious effect on my brain.

[Duke of Rat]

::sniffle:: That's beautiful, man.*

May I use this for a sig? It resonates wonderfully with my line of work.



*Evidently an excess of Dope has had a deleterious effect on my brain.

Be my guest, I'd be honored.

[This'll Do]

Be my guest, I'd be honored.

Awww, thank you.

[gigi]

A willow can be 70 feet tall and 3 feet in diameter.
Good God, the woman wasn't looking at you. She was staring at your freakish wife. :eek:
Yeah, you thought that woman was pissed? You clearly didn't notice the poor shlubs sitting behind your wife!

[born too late]

I chainsawing your dog.

[CanvasShoes]

If it weren't for the fact that the snotty lady in the OP is Japanese, I would SWEAR that I had the lovely experience of being seated next to her when I flew down to Texas in early 2004.

You described my flight experience next to old Ms. Important perfectly (Only much funnier and more clearly than I could). The lady I was seated next to (IIRC the Seattle to Dallas leg of my long 17 hour trip from Anchorage to Dallas) behaved in a way that very clearly, without a single word, indicated that she was just shocked and appalled that some lesser being had been allowed sit next to her.

Whichever poster it was that suggested that the OP was "projecting"? Horse Puckey! These types of people make it quite clear. There's no mistaking their intent or what kind of attitude is behind their actions, eyerolls, shoulder twitches, and greatly-put-upon disgusted sighs.

Luckily for me, the flight wasn't full and after dealing with her for about an hour into the flight, I was able to find a nice section of seats that was completely empty and was able to read in peace and take a nap. I know I let her get away with it, normally I would have been very upfront with a "exCUSE me? Has my sitting in my assigned seat offended you somehow?" type confrontation, but I just wanted to read, relax and nap, so I took off for a more peaceful part of the plane.

[dnooman]

If it weren't for the fact that the snotty lady in the OP is Japanese, I would SWEAR that I had the lovely experience of being seated next to her when I flew down to Texas in early 2004.

You described my flight experience next to old Ms. Important perfectly (Only much funnier and more clearly than I could). The lady I was seated next to (IIRC the Seattle to Dallas leg of my long 17 hour trip from Anchorage to Dallas) behaved in a way that very clearly, without a single word, indicated that she was just shocked and appalled that some lesser being had been allowed sit next to her.

Whichever poster it was that suggested that the OP was "projecting"? Horse Puckey! These types of people make it quite clear. There's no mistaking their intent or what kind of attitude is behind their actions, eyerolls, shoulder twitches, and greatly-put-upon disgusted sighs.

Luckily for me, the flight wasn't full and after dealing with her for about an hour into the flight, I was able to find a nice section of seats that was completely empty and was able to read in peace and take a nap. I know I let her get away with it, normally I would have been very upfront with a "exCUSE me? Has my sitting in my assigned seat offended you somehow?" type confrontation, but I just wanted to read, relax and nap, so I took off for a more peaceful part of the plane.


Were you in coach or first class?

[CanvasShoes]

Were you in coach or first class?
Coach, (though if I can get one of those upgrade for 100 bucks deals and it's a flight long enough to be worth it, I usually grab it!).

[Mister Rik]

When I saw the thread title, I was reminded of an incident from my childhood.

We lived across the street from a family of slobs who owned a trio of constantly-barking small dogs. Despite numerous complaints from my father and other neighbors, nothing was ever done to curb the barking. "They're watchdogs!" these people would protest. Any suggestion that most people owning "watchdogs" would at least look out the window occasionally to see what the dogs were barking about, and shut them up if there was nothing actually worth barking at, fell on deaf ears.

One night, after being kept awake for several hours by these dogs' incessant yapping, Dad had had enough. He got dressed, went to the garage, and picked up his chainsaw. He walked across the street, fired up the chainsaw, and proceeded to chase the dogs around the neighbors' house. He fully intended to kill those dogs, had he been able to actually catch them. Eventually he gave up, turned off the chainsaw, and came back home.

A short while later, a deputy knocked on the door. The neighbors had called and reported that somebody was racing a motorcycle through their yard, around and around their house (more evidence that they never bothered to actually look out the window to see what was going on). The deputies couldn't find any tire tracks in the lawn, and my dad claimed he hadn't heard a thing. The deputies glanced at my dad's State Patrol vehicle parked in the driveway, decided the neighbor was full of shit, and went on their way :D