December 7th 2024.
Zavier Torrence recently found himself in the middle of a heated debate on TikTok after sharing his experience with a particularly unpleasant passenger on a long-haul flight. We've all been there - stuck next to someone who seems to have no consideration for those around them. Whether it's spreading their legs wide, reclining their seat with their shoes off, or indulging in a smelly tuna melt sandwich mid-flight, these encounters can make a journey feel like a nightmare.
Torrence was on his way from West Virginia to Tampa, Florida when he overheard the person behind him ordering a toasted fish sandwich. The 25-year-old was appalled by the strong odor and decided to capture his disgust in a short video on TikTok. He titled it "because WHY are we eating a tuna melt on a flight?!" and shared it with his followers. Little did he know, the video would go viral, racking up over 713,000 views and sparking a heated discussion.
Many sympathized with Torrence's experience, with one person commenting "Food is fine, strong food is a crime" and another adding "Fish on any kind of plane is diabolical." However, the video also received backlash, mainly due to the text Torrence added to the clip. He wrote, "Strongly believe that people who eat on flights need to be incarcerated for 10 days." This statement caused an uproar, with some viewers questioning if he had ever been on a flight longer than a couple of hours and if he expected people not to eat during a flight.
Torrence admitted that perhaps other passengers were not bothered by the smell, or they chose to ignore it. But the incident sparked a larger debate about flying etiquette. Etiquette expert Diane Gottsman believes that there is a line that should not be crossed when it comes to eating in closed quarters. She stated, "You should always avoid eating foods most people would find offensive, which include tuna and boiled eggs."
But it's not just food that can cause conflicts on a plane. Cher Killough, a long-time flight attendant, shared her top pet peeves in a TikTok video. She believes that certain behaviors should be deemed illegal on a plane, such as manspreading, especially when in a middle seat. Manspreading refers to sitting with your legs spread apart, taking up more space than your seat allows, and invading the personal space of others.
Killough also called out passengers who wear strong perfume and those who take their shoes off. "There's not a time that it's acceptable to have your bare toes out in the cabin," she stated, adding that sandal-wearers "seriously deserve to go to jail." These habits may seem harmless to some, but they can make a flight extremely uncomfortable for others.
There is much debate around flying etiquette, and it's important to consider the comfort and well-being of those around us while on a plane. So next time you're on a long-haul flight, maybe think twice before ordering that pungent tuna melt or taking off your shoes. Your fellow passengers will thank you.
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