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In-Air Gripes: Who’s Your Worst Fellow Traveler?

Recently, a woman flying Southwest from Los Angeles to Houston started painting her nails. Knowing the smell is sharp, she asked passenger around her if it was OK. All agreed, but not the flight attendant. There was a ruckus and the nail-painter was arrested when the flight landed.

Even if she didn’t offend anyone in-flight, there are others who do. We asked frequent flyers who are the worst five of the worst, and these were the results.

1. Seat back pusher: The inconsiderate person in front of you who suddenly tips the seat into your tender knees or loaded lunch tray.

2. Crying kid: Overtired and overwrought, the little angel in the seat next to you screams during the entire flight. Of course, the diaper doo just adds to your misery.

3. The 300-pounder: When this enormous anatomy plops down next to you and overflows into your seat, you know you’re in for a bumpy flight.

4. The great unwashed: Your seatmate is in obvious need of a bath and mouthwash, and the fragrance drifts over to your unwilling nostrils. Inevitably, the clothing and breath smells are enhanced because this is also a heavily addicted smoker.

5. The yakking seatmate: You settle down in your squeezed space to catch a few winks, listen to music or do some iPadding. The passenger next to you needs to hear your entire family and career history. Then, you’ll be obligated to listen to that person’s long, boring tale.

If you’re a frequent flyer, we’re sure you also have your own list of the worst of the worst passengers. Of course, you’re not one of them!

Times Square NYC: How Do I Deal With Costumed Characters? PDF Print E-mail


Q: I recently took my two grandkids to Manhattan for a day at the theater. Everything went OK until we walked through Times Square. When the kids went over to the costumed characters to shoot some selfies, they heard nasty cursing and loud demands for money. I quickly pulled the kids away without paying anything. Was I right? AAL, Scranton PA

A: Of course, if you were offended by the language in front of the kids, you were right to leave. That scene happens often because all of the characters expect to be paid for posing for photos. Now that kids of all ages use smartphones frequently, on crowded days among the costumed characters many snap and leave without paying.

Some are dressed illegally in homemade Disney and other familiar costumes, and they often desperately compete with each other to get passing tourists to pay to pose for photos. Their turf battles too often include cursing that can be offensive to nearby tourists, especially those walking with kids.

Our advice is to consciously avoid them as you pass as quickly as possible, if that’s your choice to avoid trouble. However, if your kids insist on taking selfies or otherwise posing for photos with the characters, offer a dollar or two for the few moments it takes.

 

 
 
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