this post was submitted on 27 May 2026
6 points (61.5% liked)

No Stupid Questions

48281 readers
640 users here now

No such thing. Ask away!

!nostupidquestions is a community dedicated to being helpful and answering each others' questions on various topics.

The rules for posting and commenting, besides the rules defined here for lemmy.world, are as follows:

Rules (interactive)


Rule 1- All posts must be legitimate questions. All post titles must include a question.

All posts must be legitimate questions, and all post titles must include a question. Questions that are joke or trolling questions, memes, song lyrics as title, etc. are not allowed here. See Rule 6 for all exceptions.



Rule 2- Your question subject cannot be illegal or NSFW material.

Your question subject cannot be illegal or NSFW material. You will be warned first, banned second.



Rule 3- Do not seek mental, medical and professional help here.

Do not seek mental, medical and professional help here. Breaking this rule will not get you or your post removed, but it will put you at risk, and possibly in danger.



Rule 4- No self promotion or upvote-farming of any kind.

That's it.



Rule 5- No baiting or sealioning or promoting an agenda.

Questions which, instead of being of an innocuous nature, are specifically intended (based on reports and in the opinion of our crack moderation team) to bait users into ideological wars on charged political topics will be removed and the authors warned - or banned - depending on severity.



Rule 6- Regarding META posts and joke questions.

Provided it is about the community itself, you may post non-question posts using the [META] tag on your post title.

On fridays, you are allowed to post meme and troll questions, on the condition that it's in text format only, and conforms with our other rules. These posts MUST include the [NSQ Friday] tag in their title.

If you post a serious question on friday and are looking only for legitimate answers, then please include the [Serious] tag on your post. Irrelevant replies will then be removed by moderators.



Rule 7- You can't intentionally annoy, mock, or harass other members.

If you intentionally annoy, mock, harass, or discriminate against any individual member, you will be removed.

Likewise, if you are a member, sympathiser or a resemblant of a movement that is known to largely hate, mock, discriminate against, and/or want to take lives of a group of people, and you were provably vocal about your hate, then you will be banned on sight.



Rule 8- All comments should try to stay relevant to their parent content.



Rule 9- Reposts from other platforms are not allowed.

Let everyone have their own content.



Rule 10- Majority of bots aren't allowed to participate here. This includes using AI responses and summaries.



Credits

Our breathtaking icon was bestowed upon us by @Cevilia!

The greatest banner of all time: by @TheOneWithTheHair!

founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I was on a international flight recently that spanned about 11 hours in the day and the person in front kept putting thier chair back.

Now I know people want to relax but i'm using the screen in the chair and i'm hoping the inflight meal will at least be passable enough to digest.

So on a long haul flight that happens in the day would you put your chair back?

Would you keep trying to put it back every hour (i havent moved chairs). even though you have been asked not to?

  • now by the cabin crew btw
top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] Tedesche@lemmy.world 2 points 12 hours ago

I never put my seat back and consider it rude when other people do it. There was even one instance in which I made a stink I demanded the person in front of me put their seat back up (thankfully, they complied).

As others have pointed out, this is a situation created by the airlines and their shitty business models.

[–] DJKJuicy@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 day ago

There is no etiquette. That's a flawed argument.

The seats are designed the way they are by the airlines. They allow the minimum amount of space for the maximum amount of money.

The airlines could make all seats non-reclining with very little effort. But they would lose money because non-reclining seats would be a dealbreaker to a small but not insignificant number of customers...me for one.

The airlines could also make seats more comfortable and reclinable by allowing more space for each seat. But they would lose money because they would sell less seats.

The seats recline the small amount they do because of the natural equilibrium that the market allows between comfort and profit. End of story.

You peasants arguing about which other peasant is a terrible person are blaming the wrong people.

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 9 points 1 day ago

The problem is not the reclining seats, it's that we are now packed like cattle.

They paid for a seat, they can use it as they wish within its designed and permitted capabilities. You don't know what time zone they've come from or where they're going, when they sleep is their business. You don't know what back/ physical issues they may have. If you don't want to sit behind a reclining seat that upsets your delicate sensibilities don't buy a ticket that sits you behind a reclining seat that upsets your delicate sensibilities. Who the hell do you think you are to dictate what others should do because you don't like your own life choices.

Complaining about someone using a seat as designed feels entitled to me. Sorry. I've always so confused how some people consider it encroaching. Sure it's all shared space, but that means you are sharing it with others. Reclining inherently uses that chairs fair space.

[–] neidu3@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 day ago

I always keep mine back, except during meals and when it's not allowed. It's better for my back this way.

Some basic etiquette: Recline carefully - there are people with stuff behind you.

[–] ragingHungryPanda@piefed.keyboardvagabond.com 31 points 2 days ago (9 children)

most chairs allow the tray to be upright while the seat is reclined. if the seat wasn't meant to be reclined, it wouldn't be able to be reclined. demanding that someone else not perform an action that is permitted to them because you feel that is it is more convenient to you is...well... I'll let you figure that one out

[–] CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

demanding that someone else not perform an action that is permitted to them because you feel that is it is more convenient to you is...well... I'll let you figure that one out

So if you've been waiting in line for something for an hour and I just show up and cut in front of you, you'd be fine with that since there's no rule or law saying I can't?

The two of us are in a small elevator and I rip a huge wet fart just as the doors are closing and its all good, right?

This logic is so often used to justify bad behavior. A perfect example is the far-right spreading hate and racism because "free speech." They make the exact same argument that you're making right now.

[–] ragingHungryPanda@piefed.keyboardvagabond.com 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

we're talking about sitting in a seat, right? 😂

[–] CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works 0 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Nope we're talking about reclining back into the space of someone else's seat. It's obviously nowhere close to the level of racism (which is why I gave those other more mundane examples first) in terms of importance, but the self-justification is all the same.

[–] ragingHungryPanda@piefed.keyboardvagabond.com 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

you're sounding like my parents after they go on a rant about small government and then want to micromanage how other people sit in a seat.

I mean, I understand that Americans are generally allergic to the idea of existing with other human beings and have zero concept of shared space. Frankly, I find this opposition to people reclining in a reclining chair to be comically ridiculous. But as I said before, we live under capitalism. You can always offer to pay them to not do it. Find the market price for not reclining ina reclining chair. It's a fair trade.

allergic to the idea of existing with other human beings and have zero concept of shared space. Frankly, I find this opposition to people reclining in a reclining chair to be comically ridiculous.

Well as someone who will have their knees crushed when you want to take more of the shared space for yourself, this is exactly how I view your argument. If I were short then I probably wouldn't care. I dont lean my seat back because I know exactly how it is which seems like a much better way to be a steward of shared space.

load more comments (8 replies)
[–] paper_moon@lemmy.world 22 points 2 days ago (1 children)

PSA for anyone using a laptop during flights, the tray tables do not change angle or height when the person in front of you puts their seat all the way back. I almost had someone break my laptop screen a few years ago because the top of my screen got caught under the exposed edges where my tray table would fold up into, as rhe seat back came angling down towards my tray table. I was quick enough to be able to pull my laptop towards me and remove the screen before the full force was applied to the screen housing.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] Nemo@slrpnk.net 14 points 2 days ago

Flights are for sleeping, friend. I personally don't see any benefit from reclining my seat so I don't, but you should understand: reclined IS the default.

[–] CompactFlax@discuss.tchncs.de 12 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (17 children)

During cabin service which usually is the beginning and end of the flight, I’ll have it up. But it’s reclined while I’m watching the screen or sleeping. Person behind me can adjust, much like I adjust.

It’s a part of the plane. We all know the seat pitch is tight. We all know that the recline feature is there. If it bothers you, book the emergency row, fly first class, or don’t fly.

[–] dhork@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago (3 children)

The way I look at it, it's a shared resource. You are just as "entitled" to the space as the person behind you.

If I need the space, I will try and use it. But, I will move back slowly, and stop if I meet any resistance. There is nothing worse than having someone slam their seat back into your laptop (or worse, onto your knees....)

[–] Username@lemmy.nz 1 points 22 hours ago

The only way I have ever been able to sleep on a plane is to put my head on the tray table in front…I can tell you that having someone slam their seat back into your head is worse! I really wish people would just take a quick look behind them before moving their seat back :(

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments (16 replies)
[–] SharkWeek@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 2 days ago

Doesn't bother me if they recline - on an Airbus the seat base pivots so you get more knee room.

Related things that do annoy me - people dropping the seat back with a lot of force (why not recline gently so the person behind can adjust their stuff?), and people kicking the back of my seat.

A 12 hour flight is often going to involve a change in timezone, so I usually get some sleep, and for that I want my seat reclined ... plus keeping in one position for that amount of time is uncomfortable for my joints and backside.

[–] unmagical@lemmy.ml 11 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'm 6'4" (193cm). The seat in front of me reclining means my knees are pressed into the seat back, and that's uncomfortable for both of us. I don't want to do that to anyone else so I never put my seat back.

Same. If the person in front of me puts their seat back, I'm going to ensure that it doesn't bring them any extra comfort. I'm not typically a confrontational person but airport security and being treated like cattle usually puts me on edge.

[–] dkppunk@piefed.social 8 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

I put the seat back every single time I am on a flight. I have back issues and I get back pain if I sit upright like that for too long. If the flight attendants are asking to not put a seat back because the person behind me, then I’m going to ask for a new seat because sitting upright for 11 hours is absolute agony.

Sorry to the tall folks and whatnot, but I’m not flying somewhere just to be stuck in bed for 2 days unable to move because of back pain.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] cattywampas@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago (3 children)

I never put my seat back. I think they should take that feature out of airplane seats entirely.

[–] Beacon@fedia.io 9 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Agreed, each person should have their own space that no other passenger can alter. If you want to recline it should be within your own space. For example the seat butt should slide forward, or you should get an angled pillow to put behind your back. Or alternatively all seats should be reclined 100% of the time and you should get an up-slanted pillow for your back so you can sit upright.

However it's done, everyone should have the exact same amount of space that no one else can alter

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] MrNesser@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago

i dont mind it for night flights - the entire plane goes back so you dont notice the difference

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] AA5B@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

No. Should not be allowed. For some reason airlines have been allowed to narrow that space more and more to the point where it’s just not reasonable to use. You are infringing on the person behind you. Sure it’s mainly the airlines fault, and the government regulators that are supposed to serve the people, but don’t be an asshole about basic human courtesy

  • for those of us on the taller side, you reclining can be painful on the knees. How is it any different than me walking by punching your shoulder. Should I do that? Not ok
  • for those of us on the taller side, if you recline, we may no longer easily see the whole screen
  • Even short people no longer have room for a laptop and reclining means you quite likely damage it. That’s not ok
  • While the trays are supposedly independent, if reclining, they aren’t entirely. You reclining will bump the tray and potentially spill a drink. Not ok. On some aircraft the recline will partly crush a tall cup or can on the back of the tray or knock it over. Not ok
  • those of us on the bigger side may no longer even fit a standard paperback. Now you’re not even letting me read because you feel entitled?

As someone both big and tall, I have had people in front of me recline so my normal breathing is in their hair. I have to admit to playing that up to success. There’s nothing like some entitled asshole turning around to glare that someone is breathing in their hair, and suddenly realizing just how close the seats are and it’s their fault. My edgy revenge fantasy is to rest my novel on top of their head because it literally would be easier to read than in front of me

load more comments
view more: next ›