The other top impolite practices are loud talking and/or cursing (54 percent), putting the seat back too far (30 percent), hogging the shared armrest (18 percent), and eating especially odorous foods (16 percent). Obviously one’s own comfort takes top priority while traveling, but being mindful of surrounding people is important as well. Privacy and space are very limited, so keep conversations to a dull roar and profanity-free, keep to your own area as much as possible, and keep red onions and garlic off the meal menu.
4. Take a shower before leaving.
Forty-five percent of poll respondents named “poor hygiene” as their most hated passenger trait. It makes sense; who wants to spend all day sitting next to someone who reeks? Similarly, who wants to spend all day on a plane feeling unclean? If there’s no time to hit the showers beforehand, there are plenty of small shops in the mall that sell deodorant, toothpaste, and so forth. Just don’t go overboard—strong perfume and cologne smells can be just as offensive to others. Once you’re off the plane, feel free to be as stinky as you want or douse yourself in different scents. But when sitting so close to strangers, it’s better to minimize the amount of smells traveling through the cabin.
The Travelocity Rudeness Poll pointed out one other important fact when it comes to traveling: one of the top reasons travelers go from mild-mannered to frustrated and short-tempered is that they encounter rude people. But if everybody follows these common-sense tips this travel season, we can break the bad manners cycle and fly annoyance-free. An airplane experience with nothing but quiet conversations, sitting sans being kicked, and neighbors who are respectful of personal space? Lesser miracles have happened before.
Updated December 17, 2010
