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“Not My Job To Help Nasty Entitled Individuals”: Woman Refuses To Tell Lady What She Forgot
“Not My Job To Help Nasty Entitled Individuals”: Woman Refuses To Tell Lady What She Forgot
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“Not My Job To Help Nasty Entitled Individuals”: Woman Refuses To Tell Lady What She Forgot

Interview With Author

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Manners and basic courtesy aren’t as common as you might think. The sad reality is that some people are so entitled that they don’t care how they inconvenience the folks around them—so long as they get what they want. While many individuals choose to ignore this misbehavior, others decide to push back in any small way that they can.

Redditor u/CupcakeParlor recently went viral after sharing her story about a disastrous flight with the Petty Revenge online group. She revealed how an incredibly rude passenger started dumping her things on her. However, karma soon caught up to the entitled woman. Bored Panda reached out to the author of the viral post, u/CupcakeParlor, and she was kind enough to share her thoughts on rude behavior on planes. Scroll down for the full story and our interview with the author.

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    Woman placing luggage in overhead compartment on a plane, illustrating perfect revenge travel scenario.

    Image credits: GabiStock (not the actual photo)

    Text about a rude plane passenger's actions, highlighting a tense situation involving personal space and items.

    Text recounts a rude plane passenger forgetting her purse, with no help offered as a form of revenge.

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    Text message about a woman leaving the food court without her purse as a form of revenge on a rude plane passenger.

    Image credits: CupcakeParlor

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    “It was almost as if I was invisible in that she had no regard for my space or physical presence”

    We asked the author about the entitled woman who sat next to them. “Initially, when she started throwing her things around, I was shocked because I’m a frequent flyer and have been to several airports in various countries and had never encountered such rude behavior by a passenger,” u/CupcakeParlor opened up to Bored Panda.

    “It was almost as if I was invisible in that she had no regard for my space or physical presence. I assumed she was simply entitled, considering she didn’t even bother to stow her carry-on properly and disregarded the flight attendants when they first asked her to do so. But then I wondered if she was under the influence of a substance of some sort. But that wouldn’t have been an excuse, considering many people on a substance aren’t necessarily rude, obstinate, or entitled,” she said.

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    We were curious whether the author thought the entitled passenger changed her behavior after losing her purse. “Unfortunately, I don’t think her behavior would change because she had a demeanor that rules didn’t apply to her and that she could absorb spaces that weren’t hers. Since she looked to be in her early 20s, I’d say she knows right from wrong and common decency but chooses otherwise despite its impact on others.”

    Bored Panda also asked u/CupcakeParlor about handling rude behavior while traveling. “Initial signs of aggression while boarding are indicators that someone may have some challenging behaviors during the plane ride,” she said.

    “I don’t think flight attendants should have to do emotional check-ins with people, but maybe having cups of water for passengers as they’re boarding, ensuring the aircraft is cool in temperature, and having flight attendants in spots near visibly agitated passengers during boarding to enforce proper procedures, seating arrangements, and passenger safety and rights would be helpful,” u/CupcakeParlor said, considering a few ways to reduce the number of incidents.

    “I think having a QR code to scan to disclose issues to get real-time support with neighboring passengers would be really effective. As a small woman, sometimes it feels intimidating to ask someone not to encroach upon your space. They know they’re doing something wrong, but they take advantage because they think their comfort is more important than your rights as a passenger,” she said.

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    “If I’m sitting next to someone who is significantly taller or wider than me, they almost immediately take over both armrests, spread their legs into my area, or even have part of their body spilling over to my seat. Yes, I’m small, but I paid for this space. Respect it.”

    Image credits: Daniel Frese (not the actual photo)

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    Most plane passengers are decent people, but a small number are so unruly that it has a major impact on everyone

    Look, it’s likely that most of you reading this have probably experienced at least one incident with someone behaving unacceptably or bizarrely, whether that’s on a plane, train, bus, or other form of transport.

    With so many people in close proximity to one another, there’s bound to be friction from time to time. And, let’s not be naive—not everyone who likes to travel or can pay for a flight is necessarily a kindhearted person. Many folks are perfectly decent. A small handful are the opposite.

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    CNN reports that based on the data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), unruly airplane passenger incidents were on the rise before the pandemic and grew during that period as well. Though incidents in the United States have fallen since then, they are still higher than those before the pandemic.

    According to the IATA, there are four levels of unruly behavior. Level 1, classified as ‘minor’ involved argumentative behavior and non-compliance with safety regulations. Level 2, ‘moderate,’ includes aggressive behavior.

    Level 3, ‘serious,’ concerns dangerous behavior. Meanwhile, level 4 is a ‘flight deck breach,’ and a ‘credible threat’ to people’s lives.

    As per the IATA, most disruptive passenger incidents involved non-compliance, verbal aggression, and intoxication. Though relatively minor, they are still potentially dangerous and affect flight safety. Though only a “tiny minority” of passengers behave poorly, they “have a disproportionate impact.”

    Safety aside, unruly passengers also affect the mental health of the flight crew as well as their fellow passengers. They increase the probability of delays, cancellations, and flight diversions.

    Image credits: Kelly (not the actual photo)

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    There are lots of behaviors that many passengers find extremely irritating

    Head of safety promotion at the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, John Franklin, told CNN that the rise in unruly passenger behavior correlates with a shift in societal behavior that has occurred recently.

    “It has become clear that the increase in unruly passenger behavior matches what police see in general society since the Covid pandemic,” he explained.

    Meanwhile, Aleksandra Kapela, an aviation psychologist, suggests that people’s “comfort levels in close spaces, such as airplanes,” may have been impacted by “prolonged online work and limited social interactions.” Furthermore, some passengers may now perceive travel as “both a right and a privilege” and have “heightened expectations.”

    A recent poll from YouGov found that some of the most unacceptable airplane behaviors for Americans include fellow passengers letting their kids play in the aisle, getting drunk, and leaving their seats during turbulence.

    Some after behaviors that frustrate travelers are watching movies without headphones (ugh!), leaving trash in the seat’s back pocket (yuck!), and hogging both armrests (rude!).

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    Plane passengers are also not fans of strong-smelling foods, folks who ignore the safety demonstrations, people who exit the plane before those in the row in front of them, and anyone who doesn’t set their devices to airplane mode.

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    You also won’t have many people happy with you if you suddenly start stretching or exercising in the aisle, remove your shoes, or climb over your seatmates to use the bathroom.

    What do you think, dear Pandas? Should the author have informed their rude seatmate about the purse she left behind, or was this petty revenge justified? Who is the rudest plane passenger that you’ve ever had the ‘pleasure’ of dealing with? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

    Image credits: Domenico Bandiera (not the actual photo)

    Some internet users had similar travel stories to share

    Text exchange on Reddit about a woman's clever revenge on a rude plane passenger.

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    Airplane passenger forgets phone; faces karma after rude behavior during deboarding.

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    Many readers were shocked by the seatmate’s toxic behavior. Here are a few of their reactions

    Reddit comments about rude plane passenger and lost purse incident, with humorous tone.

    Text exchange discussing a woman enacting revenge on a rude plane passenger by not informing them about her lost purse.

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    Comments discussing someone's attitude and plane passenger etiquette.

    Comment about a woman's lost purse as revenge against rude plane passenger.

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    Text exchange about using a lost purse as a footrest on a plane, implying an act of revenge.

    Comment from user TraditionGloomy7318 saying "Bravo!" with 633 points and posted 1 day ago.

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    Comment about revenge on a rude plane passenger who lost a purse.

    A comment discussing revenge tactics on a rude plane passenger.

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    Reddit comment about karma and rude passenger related to perfect revenge act.

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    Comment about plane passenger revenge, suggesting tossing belongings and putting feet on them.

    Positive comment from user Kooky_Discussion7226 saying "Brilliant.

    Comment on airport security handling unattended items regarding a rude plane passenger and lost purse.

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    Text comment on revenge where someone suggests telling the woman it was a gift, as she threw the purse.

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    User comment expressing satisfaction about a rude plane passenger losing her purse.

    Comment on a post about a rude plane passenger and lost purse revenge, saying, "Hope she enjoyed her just deserts!

    Text exchange about a woman seeking revenge on a rude plane passenger, suggesting therapy or an MMA class for confidence.

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    Reddit comment questioning if someone allowed others to place items on them repeatedly, related to lost purse revenge story.

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    Jonas Grinevičius

    Jonas Grinevičius

    Writer, Senior Writer

    Read more »

    Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

    Read less »
    Jonas Grinevičius

    Jonas Grinevičius

    Writer, Senior Writer

    Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

    What do you think ?
    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's been years since I've been on a plane, and I've only been on short-ish flights, never long-ish flights (longest was from Los Angeles to Vancouver for a friend's wedding.) I've never had a bad experience like ones I've been reading about in recent years, but if I ever happen to fly somewhere in the future and I am faced with an entitled person/seat-stealer, I will be well-armed with a petty arsenal of actions, reactions, and phrases just from reading everyone's tales XD

    Zoe Vokes
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’ve not had annoying neighbours but I’ve been on a short haul flight with not much leg room and the chairs in front are close. Somebody in front of me repeatedly tried to recline their chair but couldn’t because my knees were pressed against it. Repeatedly through the whole flight and then when they got up at the end she was about 5 foot 4 inches. I noticed only a few people on the whole flight were selfish enough to recline their chairs knowing how much space each person behind them has.

    Load More Replies...
    JL
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She had bad breath and you had a blanket to move, how did you not drape it over her head while she was asleep?

    William Teach
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was flying back into Raleigh from NJ a couple Christmas' ago, so, obviously full plane. Big guy gets up and starts to move forward, big ol' Southern gramma type lady, blocking the aisle to let people debark correctly, about 5'4", says "sit your a.. back down", and he responded like she was holding a spoon. Stopped and let people debarks correctly.

    Load More Comments
    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's been years since I've been on a plane, and I've only been on short-ish flights, never long-ish flights (longest was from Los Angeles to Vancouver for a friend's wedding.) I've never had a bad experience like ones I've been reading about in recent years, but if I ever happen to fly somewhere in the future and I am faced with an entitled person/seat-stealer, I will be well-armed with a petty arsenal of actions, reactions, and phrases just from reading everyone's tales XD

    Zoe Vokes
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’ve not had annoying neighbours but I’ve been on a short haul flight with not much leg room and the chairs in front are close. Somebody in front of me repeatedly tried to recline their chair but couldn’t because my knees were pressed against it. Repeatedly through the whole flight and then when they got up at the end she was about 5 foot 4 inches. I noticed only a few people on the whole flight were selfish enough to recline their chairs knowing how much space each person behind them has.

    Load More Replies...
    JL
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She had bad breath and you had a blanket to move, how did you not drape it over her head while she was asleep?

    William Teach
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was flying back into Raleigh from NJ a couple Christmas' ago, so, obviously full plane. Big guy gets up and starts to move forward, big ol' Southern gramma type lady, blocking the aisle to let people debark correctly, about 5'4", says "sit your a.. back down", and he responded like she was holding a spoon. Stopped and let people debarks correctly.

    Load More Comments
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