THE window seat is commonly believed to be one of the best seats on board planes, but it does come with some responsibility.
Being in charge of the window shade is one of the privileges of being in the window seat, but there’s more to it than you might initially think.
GettyThe person in the window seat is responsible for opening and closing the window shade[/caption]
For starters, the passenger sat in the window seat isn’t always in charge of whether or not it should stay open.
There are certain circumstances when other people can have a say in whether or not you should have it pulled up or down.
Frequent flyer Ben Schlappig has now revealed the etiquette to follow when sat in the window seat – including when you should listen to other passengers.
In an article for One Mile at a Time he explained: “On the most basic level, the person in the window seat has control over the window shades, and shouldn’t need permission from people in other seats as to how the window shades are kept.”
However, he was quick to point out some exceptions to that rule that window seat passengers have to be aware of.
Firstly, you have to consider how the window shade being open could affect fellow passengers.
For instance, if the sun is incredibly bright, you should check to make sure it’s not blinding anyone else.
Additionally, if someone has a genuine problem because of your window shade being open, then you should listen to their requests.
Ben said: “If the sun is blinding someone else because your window shade is open, consider lowering it. If the person seated next to you asks politely for the window shade to be lowered, and has a legitimate reason, consider compromising.”
However, if people ask bluntly, or rudely, for you to adjust your window shade, you should do all you can to avoid a mid-air argument.
Ben recommends approaching a flight attendant for assistance in this instant.
He continued: “Don’t get into a confrontation — if someone is rude about you having the window shade open, or rudely demands you close it, don’t get into it, and either just agree or ask a crew member to get involved, because we don’t need any more inflight disturbances.”
Experts have previously suggested that people who like to sit in the window seat are more likely to be control freaks, who are often more easily irritated.
Psychologist Jo Hemmings has even claimed that passengers who pick window seats tend to be “more selfish” than other passengers.
Dr Becky Spelman, a psychologist at Private Therapy Clinic, backed this up, telling the Telegraph: “Passengers who favour the window seat like to be in control and are often more easily irritable.”
If you are a fan of the aisle seat, then you are likely to be “more social and more amenable,” according to Ms Hemmings.
She added: “They are also more likely to be restless flyers and less adept at sleeping on planes.”
Meanwhile, a former flight attendant has revealed the seats she thinks are the best on planes.
And here is how you can always pick the best seats on a plane thanks to a clever website.
GettyIf the sun is affecting other passengers they have the right to ask for it to be closed[/caption] Read More