After a picture of an individual’s socked foot sneaking into an airplane passenger’s legroom went viral on Reddit, many individuals weighed in on what they might do if something similar happened to them.
The viral post touched off quite a flurry of comments. “Don’t be this person,” user “stefahnia” posted on the “Mildly Infuriating” subreddit, together with an image that she said her friend sent her from a recent flight she took. In the image, an individual’s foot might be seen reaching in between her feet — almost touching her right heel.
The image quickly went viral, with over 2,000 people responding to the image – mostly in horror on the invasion of non-public space or with stories of what they did when something similar happened to them on an airplane.
“This happened to me recently. Except not only was the foot just there, the guy would occasionally run his toes up my calf!! Creepy as hell,” said Reddit user “253ish.”
The user said she “kicked back at him a number of times to no avail,” and that the passenger only stopped what he was doing when her boyfriend began “stomping on his foot.”
One other person described kicking a passenger who kept attempting to invade the person’s space.
“Every time, [the person] would yell and I’d tell them that the realm below my seat is mine, not theirs,” said SheiB123. “They called the flight attendant and he or she told them the identical thing.”
SheiB123 continued with one other story: “A friend spilled water on a person who did this with BARE FEET!!”
Fox News Digital reached out to stefahnia for comment — and to an etiquette expert for advice on what and what to not do.
While it could be satisfying within the moment to physically react to this sort of situation, that is often not the very best option, California-based etiquette expert Rosalinda Randall told Fox News Digital.
Seeing another person’s feet invade a private area is jarring, she said.
“There you might be snuggled into your compact space, once you see, and possibly smell, an intrusion,” said Randall. “You look down and see a foot. Whether it’s ‘socked’ or barefoot, it’s an intrusion.”
Coach seats on airplanes, she said, are “not made for taller people.” That said, “it isn’t everyone’s responsibility to accommodate passengers’ comfort.”
If an individual is invading personal space, possibly without even initially realizing it, Randall revealed what to do and never do.
The very first thing to do, she said, is to truly use the foot space in front of your seat.
“Gently place your feet in your designated area, gently tapping [the invader’s] foot — and hope they get the hint,” she said.
If this doesn’t work, an individual can move their under seat bag (when allowed) into the space.
“That may little question bump the intruder’s foot,” said Randall. “And hope they get the hint.”
If these strategies don’t work and the “foot intruder” continues to invade, Randall suggested attempting to refer to the person.
“You may turn to them calmly and politely explain, ‘I do know there’s little space on planes nowadays, so that you understand that I also need all of the space I can get.’ Or, ‘I don’t wish to keep bumping your foot, so please keep it under the seat,’” she said.
And, in fact, “all the time end with a ‘thanks,’” Randall said.
It is incredibly vital to stay calm, even when an individual is frustrated, annoyed and even downright grossed-out by the presence of an unwanted foot.
“For those who’re feeling cranky or drained or your variety of communication is direct and without forethought, don’t handle it,” said Randall.
As a substitute, refer to the flight attendant and inform the skilled concerning the situation.
“I’d not have advised this a number of years ago, but attributable to the rise in testy passengers, I strongly recommend it,” she said.
Stomping on the person’s foot or pouring beverages on it’s also not beneficial.
“Doing anything to intentionally hurt someone is rude and mistaken,” she said.
“Ultimately, you’re the one who might be looked upon as inconsiderate. At all times attempt to work it out courteously.”
Randall also advised people to avoid making a scene by videoing the encounter or announcing the problem to your complete planeful of individuals.
“Chances are you’ll be perceived because the loony one,” she said.
