# That armrest is mine, asshole. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 5, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107 "2012-12-05T19:00:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/41 "2012-12-05T20:35:03Z")
> [@Vita\_Beata](#): > > Whose brilliant idea was it to put video game panels in the backs of seats? I can’t remember what airline that was, but what annoyance to have the young man fiercely poking the screen all through the flight. :eek: Say what? I haven’t encountered that yet. That tears it. From now on I’m walking. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/42 "2012-12-05T20:37:04Z")
Sven, you need to learn to projectile vomit on demand. Do it enough times on your seat mates, and either they will bre moved or you will be moved. Problem solved. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/43 "2012-12-05T20:37:28Z")
I had a flight from the UK to Malaysia, stuck in the middle seat of the middle row on an enormous crowded plane 9 seats across, so no-one could even lean on the window and give a bit more space, with a random hulking 7 foot Australian asleep with his head on my shoulder from about 10 minutes after take off on one side, and some mad old granny on the other side, while I watched the first 3/4 of the inflight film 3 times because it got that far then froze. Probably the worst so far. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/44 "2012-12-05T20:39:49Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > :eek: Say what? I haven’t encountered that yet. > > That tears it. From now on I’m walking. Ditto. I’ve got a lot of airplane complaints like every other whiny American on Earth (stop putting in your rollerbags sideways, you dicks!), but I have yet to be disturbed by someone using the touch screen on the other side of my seat. My worst airplane offense to date was a woman, ahem, of size, who lifted up the armrest between us so she could fit more comfortably in her seat. Fuck that shit. I pulled it right back down. God, that was like 10 years ago and I’m still pissed about it. I need to relax. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/45 "2012-12-05T20:40:37Z")
The nice thing about the wee little planes up my way is that there is no seat beside you. There are only two very minor drawbacks. The first is that the passenger furthest back has to dig out and pass up the drinks and snacks from the cooler. The second is the curtain that is drawn back to separate the flight deck from the passenger cabin. ---
**Author:** ![Sister\_Vigilante](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Sister\_Vigilante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sister_Vigilante)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/46 "2012-12-05T20:41:48Z")
One of the guys has to move his arm eventually. Then you claim the armrest. The same as in a crowded theater. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/47 "2012-12-05T20:41:51Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Armrests are mine unless you’re big enough to take them from me. > [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Another thing I’ll do to inconsiderate seat-lowerers who smack my knees is to open and close my tray table with extreme vigor. Frequently. At odd and unexpected intervals. Jesus. What is it like going through life as an oversized baby? It sounds embarrassing, but maybe your brain lacks whatever chemical makes shame. As a fairly huge guy who often finds himself crammed into coach, I agree with the OP 100%. No matter how big or unhappy you are to be on an airplane, everyone is entitled to their share of the seat space they paid for. Middle seat really should get both armrests, but one is definitely a minimum. People have every right to recline their seats. Tall people behind them can ask them to refrain from doing so, but should remember that you are asking them to do you a favor and phrase the request as such. (On smaller planes, this request is usually replaced with an apology for why the recline button isn’t working. My knees are right up against your seat, and you can’t recline through bone. Sorry!) No one wants to be on an airplane, and acting like a self-entitled brat just makes it worse for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/48 "2012-12-05T20:44:05Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > Jesus. What is it like going through life as an oversized baby? Actually, it’s been a fun ride. Except when I’m crammed into coach. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/49 "2012-12-05T20:44:13Z")
Ah, the tragedy of the commons. I find that if you’re patient enough, the other guy will move if only for a moment. Then you swoop in and hold your ground!! Works for me every time. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/50 "2012-12-05T20:45:22Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > :eek: Say what? I haven’t encountered that yet. > > That tears it. From now on I’m walking. Or you could hitch hike, which a fellow just did across[6,000 km of Canada in his underwear](http://www.trurodaily.com/News/Local/2012-12-04/article-3133779/%26lsquoThis-is-unbelievable/1). Semper Fi, or Semper Ubi Sub Ubi, or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/51 "2012-12-05T21:00:44Z")
I don’t always recline, out of consideration for the person behind me. I don’t see as a big sacrifice. I mean, honestly, what does that seat back recline, like 8 degrees or so? ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/52 "2012-12-05T21:08:51Z")
Fuck the entitled assholes who think reclining a seatback is somehow wrong. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/53 "2012-12-05T21:11:51Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > I don’t always recline, out of consideration for the person behind me. I don’t see as a big sacrifice. I mean, honestly, what does that seat back recline, like 8 degrees or so? Ditto. I don’t gain enough added comfort from it to make up for putting my face into the lap of the person behind me. Not even if it’s a really hot dude. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/54 "2012-12-05T21:16:35Z")
If you are cute, may I use your leg to rest my arm if you get the armrest? ---
**Author:** ![Vita\_Beata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@Vita\_Beata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vita_Beata)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/55 "2012-12-05T21:22:33Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Fuck the entitled assholes who think reclining a seatback is somehow wrong. Haaaalp! The person behind me is punching the video screen and now Eyebrows of Doom is flaunting those menacing eyebrows directly in front of me! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/56 "2012-12-05T21:25:25Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Fuck the entitled assholes who think reclining a seatback is somehow wrong. Yeah, I know. I must be some sort of elitist for not wanting my kneecaps crushed. Who do I think I am? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/57 "2012-12-05T21:25:58Z")
: sits next to **Vita Beata** : : takes up the entire armrest and leans over too : ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/58 "2012-12-05T21:27:38Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Yeah, I know. I must be some sort of elitist for not wanting my kneecaps crushed. Who do I think I am? Someone too cheap to pay for United Economy Plus? ---
**Author:** ![Vita\_Beata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@Vita\_Beata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vita_Beata)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/59 "2012-12-05T21:29:29Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > : sits next to **Vita Beata** : > : takes up the entire armrest and leans over too : …_spills soda on Anaamika whilst making plans to walk with TDN on next trip._.. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107/60 "2012-12-05T21:30:48Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > Someone too cheap to pay for United Economy Plus? Exactly! :mad: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-armrest-is-mine-asshole/643107.md?page=4)