Yesterday I flew across country. As I settled in my seat -- 23D -- I was hoping that the middle seat would stay empty. The guy in 23F kept saying maybe we'd get lucky and get a break on this full flight. Unfortunately for us, the 6'5", nearly 400 lb guy sliding sideways down the aisle was heading towards us. You guessed it. He took his seat and half of mine. We could barely get the arm rest down and he had to suck it in big time to lock the seat belt. And when I needed to scroll the channels up and down -- yes on our shared arm rest -- my index finger had to sneak under the folds to make the change. I even wondered it he’d think I was flirting.
But you know what -- he was a gentleman. The first I ever shared a row with who deferred to my ordering beverage and snack before him, who asked if I needed anything when he got up, who was solicitous of our sharing my seat. He was kind, funny and very sweet. I don't want to think it was because he saw me as an older lady. Stereotypes hurt us whether we're on the giving or receiving end. Being nice, civil and polite is so missing in our society today and it was refreshing to find it in seat 23 E.
When he moved to the exit row three hours into the flight because his television wasn't working, seats 23D and F were sad to see him go. He left a big empty spot ... literally and figuratively.
Eileen Marcus