# Your fat is spilling into my seat **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 23, 2003, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470 "2003-04-23T01:00:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_great_unwashed/32/4791_2.png) [@The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/141 "2003-04-24T14:17:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KellyM \* > \*\*No, I challenged him on the claim that calories in minus calories “out” equals weight gained. At the very least he needs to define “calories in” and “calories out” a lot better than he has (which is to say, not at all). \*\* I shouldn’t really respond to a post where I am only referred to by the dismissive and presumptive pronoun “him”, but hey, _KellyM_’s such a pleasant guy to chat to. When I originally said: > [@](#): > > \*\* > Otherwise, it is generally true that: > calories in minus calories out equals weight gain > \*\* I might have expected you to read the paragraph that immediately followed > [@](#): > > \*\* > Okay, this is kind of a whitewash because the formula is based upon the assumption that we can adequately and usefully metabolise all the calorific content of the food we eat… > \*\* From this I hoped for the reader would understand _Calories in_: the calories contained in “the food we eat” _Calories out_: the calories we metabolise (you can add to this the calorific content of what we expel from our bodies)\* None of this is particularly obscure, and no technical meanings have been intended by commonplace words. If you wish to deny such a broadly received understanding then it is _you_, not I, who should be providing citations. Whatever, on this subject I will contribute no more to this thread, please, feel free to start another, I may join you there. - would you like me to define the term “expel from our bodies”? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/142 "2003-04-24T14:18:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KellyM \* > **Why should I do that? It’s not like she’s trying to be offensive to me.** Because you’d previously said: > [@](#): > > I don’t like people touching me And whatever you may claim to believe, I do expect as part of my ticket price not to have my personal space intruded into past a reasonable level, and having strangers pressed into me is past that level, and indeed past the level of most people judging by this thread. ---
**Author:** ![KellyM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/57b2e6/32.png) [@KellyM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyM)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/143 "2003-04-24T14:22:24Z")
**Gary Kumquat** , I don’t consider my ticket price to be adequate as to guarantee me my personal space uninfringed. I can get that if I want it by paying a larger ticket price (flying first class for a better guarantee, or charter for a near-absolute guarantee). You get what you pay for. Whining about what you didn’t get because you didn’t pay for it is silly. ---
**Author:** ![Fin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@Fin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fin_man)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/144 "2003-04-24T14:22:35Z")
And to now move back to the OP (which is **NOT** fatbashing)… Regarding asking a women to stop bumping into you- > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KellyM \* > \*\*Why should I do that? It’s not like she’s trying to be offensive to me. I see no reason why I should disrupt her slumber. It’s not like her contact is causing me pain or anything like that. > > I would be offended if a fat and **stinky** person sat down next to me and lapped over onto my seat. But if the individual is well-laundered and appears to be making a reasonable effort to confine themselves as much as they are able to their alloted space, I am not going to begrudge unavoidable overflow. It’s not their fault the airline chose to provide them with an inadequate seat. Besides, I know that they’re at least as uncomfortable as I am, if not more. > > I am far more annoyed by people who cross their legs in flight and stick their heels into my shin. Had that happen several times now. \*\* I don’t think the OP (or anybody else) said or implied that the person next to the OP was **trying** to be offensive. However, this women’s contact with you obviously **DID** cause you “pain or anything like that.” It pissed you off - enough to mention it. It seems your tolerance for discomfort or personal space violation is a higher than others. That is great but just because others have a lower tolerance for personal space violations does not make them a fatbasher. ---
**Author:** ![KellyM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/57b2e6/32.png) [@KellyM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyM)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/145 "2003-04-24T14:23:53Z")
**The Great Unwashed** , my apologies. We’re even. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Fin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@Fin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fin_man)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/146 "2003-04-24T14:25:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KellyM \* > \*\ ***Gary Kumquat** , I don’t consider my ticket price to be adequate as to guarantee me my personal space uninfringed. I can get that if I want it by paying a larger ticket price (flying first class for a better guarantee, or charter for a near-absolute guarantee). You get what you pay for. Whining about what you didn’t get because you didn’t pay for it is silly. \*\* So, if I am sitting on an airplane next to you, I can feel free to swing my legs over onto your lap? Well, your ticket doesn’t guarantee that your personal space is uninfringed, right? ---
**Author:** ![KellyM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/57b2e6/32.png) [@KellyM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyM)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/147 "2003-04-24T14:27:41Z")
**Fin\_man** , I distinguish between avoidable and unavoidable intrusions. The fat man who overflows the seat is unavoidably intruding on my space. The woman who crosses his legs and jams her three inch spike heel into my shin is avoidably intruding on my space. He is a victim of circumstance; she is a jerk. The latter deserves ire; the former deserves sympathy. The woman who brushed my thigh in her sleep didn’t “piss me off” although it did make me briefly uncomfortable. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/148 "2003-04-24T14:30:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KellyM \* > **Fin\_man, I distinguish between avoidable and unavoidable intrusions. The fat man who overflows the seat is unavoidably intruding on my space.** How is it unavoidable? They buy a bigger seat. They take another mode of transport. Why is it unavoidable? ---
**Author:** ![KellyM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/57b2e6/32.png) [@KellyM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyM)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/149 "2003-04-24T14:31:13Z")
**Gary Kumquat** , I do not believe that air travel at a reasonable price should be a privilege of the skinny. Obviously, you do, making you a fat bigot. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/150 "2003-04-24T14:37:04Z")
Out of interest, do you also think it should be free? If not you’re clearly prejudiced against the poor, making you nothing more than capitalist fucking scum. “fat bigot” - what an ignorant fucking twat you are. ---
**Author:** ![Fin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@Fin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fin_man)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/151 "2003-04-24T14:43:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KellyM \* > \*\ ***Fin\_man** , I distinguish between avoidable and unavoidable intrusions. The fat man who overflows the seat is unavoidably intruding on my space. The woman who crosses his legs and jams her three inch spike heel into my shin is avoidably intruding on my space. He is a victim of circumstance; she is a jerk. The latter deserves ire; the former deserves sympathy. > > The woman who brushed my thigh in her sleep didn’t “piss me off” although it did make me briefly uncomfortable. \*\* Hold on a second. If you are standing in a line and a person takes a step back and unavoidable smashes your toes, are you not upset? Sure as hell you are. Are you angry at them - maybe not. They didn’t do it on purpose **BUT** they still injured you. Sure, if the three inch spikes are repeatedly jammed into my leg, I’m going to slap the bitch - she is being **KNOWINGLY** rude. But just because somebody cannot help the fact that they invade your personal space does not give them free reign to do so - nor does it mean we have to accept or like it. So yes, I feel bad for overweight people. I know they have difficulties in health, comfortability, discrimination, etc. but **that doesn’t give them the right to invade my personal space**. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/152 "2003-04-24T14:56:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Iteki \* > \*\*Feel free to actually have a point at some stage in the discussion however. \*\* I get to make irrelevant xenophobic generalizations too? Goodie! It’s evident that [the Irish](http://www.ias.org.uk/pressjun01.htm) [drink to excess](http://www.eurocare.org/profiles/irelandeupolicy.htm) because they’re trying to forget that they don’t have anything decent to eat. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/153 "2003-04-24T15:00:18Z")
I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that **KellyM** ’s girlfriend is physically incapable of dropping her body mass below the level considered “obese.” Look, this thread isn’t about bashing overweight people, regardless of anyone’s personal beliefs on the matter. Two issues are the crux of the matter, here: 1. Airlines are redefining “personal space” so as to be measured in microns. 2. Many airline passengers are not comfortable with this plan, and are complaining about it. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/154 "2003-04-24T15:24:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KellyM \* > And, **Coldfire** , yes, it is. Your insistence that it is not does not make the obvious fatbashing go away. Huh. Could have fooled me into thinking this was a thread about people discussing the pros and cons of economy air travel, specifically when dealing with passengers who, for whatever reason, infringe on another passengers personal space as defined by the size of the seat they paid their hard-earned cash for. And then, some people started to take things personally, and it was a “fat bashing” thread all of a sudden. Fuck that. It’s nonsense, it’s over-PC-ness, and it’s insulting to those who have to deal with the consequences of being unable to discuss a topic like this without being called a sizeist, or a “fat basher”. There is a genuine issue at stake here, and people are trying their damn best to discuss it as politely as they can. Yes, weight is a sensitive issue. Yes, we should all avoid judging others by their physique. But you know what? If they’re 400 lb’s, they’re still going to have a hard time fitting into an economy size chair, whether they’re large as a result of overeating, a thyroid problem, a genetic disposition. _It doesn’t matter, and it’s not what we’re discussing here._ Frankly, I don’t know **what** you’re trying to gain by dragging this discussion towards “fat-bashing”, but it has fuck all to do with the real problem at hand: passengers of significantly different proportions, and the seats that fail to accompany some of them properly. Now, cast off that PC armour, and add something of value to the discussion. Diet debates are entirely interesting, I’m sure, but they’re irrelevant _here_. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/155 "2003-04-24T15:35:51Z")
Coldfire, where on earth do you find room for your penis when on an airplane??? :o ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/156 "2003-04-24T15:42:35Z")
Well, let’s just say I only fly those passenger/freighter combis, OK? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Fin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@Fin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fin_man)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/157 "2003-04-24T15:46:10Z")
**Coldfire** , just wondering, by continuing the “fat bashing” conversation here, are we not hijacking the thread? Should we allow this thread (if possible) to return to the OP? That is what I was trying to do. Was I wrong? ---
**Author:** ![Mearl\_Dox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/65b543/32.png) [@Mearl\_Dox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mearl_Dox)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/158 "2003-04-24T15:46:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sauron \* > \*\*I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that **KellyM** ’s girlfriend is physically incapable of dropping her body mass below the level considered “obese.” > \*\* I just wanted to comment on this… I don’t find this all that questionable. I’ve had Crohn’s disease since I was 10, and I also have polycystic kidney disease. Most of my life I’ve been off and on powerful steroids. When I’m having a Crohn’s flareup I can’t eat–period–which means I go on a crash diet that lasts about a week and doctors say that’s pretty bad for you and your weight. I get a flareup whenever I make a major change to my lifestyle or go through a time of heavy stress. I can lose maybe 5-10 pounds, but if I push it I’ll just have another flareup, lose 15 pounds in starvation, and gain 20 pounds on the steroids while puffing up like a balloon with water. And the kidneys don’t help… I’m not sure how much size they add to my belly, but I’ve had at least one cyst get over 6 inches in diameter. (Pretty funny in the hospital, they all came into the X-ray room to gape at the pictures. They’d been trying to get a shot of my digestive system, but the cyst got in the way.) I don’t mean my weight is completely off my shoulders, of course. I can still lose weight slowly, and I can exercise some. But I’ve come to accept that 185 pounds is about as good as it’s going to get, on average, for me. I doubt I’m the only person in the world who has medical problems that make it hard to lose weight. And for the record and back on topic, I try to keep out of other people’s way on airlines. Usually my biggest problem is the dorks who think their dick deserves a seat of its own, and spread their legs out wide. Sometimes I’m seated next to a person more overweight than I am, but I usually just try to deal with it. Listen to music, read a book, try to chill. I’m probably unwittingly doing something to annoy them too. If someone really bugs you, smile at them a lot. It’s friendly, it’s harmless, and it might freak them out. 🙂 Either that, or choose ‘interesting’ reading material. I love flying, especially if I get a window seat. Whoosh! And on preview, the penis-size issue has been brought up. Somehow, I’m not surprised. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/159 "2003-04-24T15:50:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mearlchan \* > **If someone really bugs you, smile at them a lot. It’s friendly, it’s harmless, and it might freak them out** I truly excellent policy. I applaud you. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2003, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470/160 "2003-04-24T15:52:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mearlchan \* > I just wanted to comment on this… I don’t find this all that questionable. I’ve had Crohn’s disease since I was 10, and I also have polycystic kidney disease. Most of my life I’ve been off and on powerful steroids. When I’m having a Crohn’s flareup I can’t eat–period–which means I go on a crash diet that lasts about a week and doctors say that’s pretty bad for you and your weight. I get a flareup whenever I make a major change to my lifestyle or go through a time of heavy stress. I can lose maybe 5-10 pounds, but if I push it I’ll just have another flareup, lose 15 pounds in starvation, and gain 20 pounds on the steroids while puffing up like a balloon with water. And the kidneys don’t help… I’m not sure how much size they add to my belly, but I’ve had at least one cyst get over 6 inches in diameter. (Pretty funny in the hospital, they all came into the X-ray room to gape at the pictures. They’d been trying to get a shot of my digestive system, but the cyst got in the way.) > > I don’t mean my weight is completely off my shoulders, of course. I can still lose weight slowly, and I can exercise some. But I’ve come to accept that 185 pounds is about as good as it’s going to get, on average, for me. I doubt I’m the only person in the world who has medical problems that make it hard to lose weight. Excellent points. Thank you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-fat-is-spilling-into-my-seat/170470.md?page=9)