After an image of a person's sock foot sneaking into a plane passenger's legroom went viral on Reddit, many people weighed in on what they would do if something similar happened to them.
The viral post sparked a huge avalanche of comments. “Don't be this person,” user “stefahnia” posted on the “Kinda Infuriating” subreddit, along with a photo she said her friend sent her from a recent flight she took. In the image, you can see a person's foot between her feet, almost touching her right heel.
The image quickly went viral and more than 2,000 people responded to the image, mostly horrified by the invasion of personal space or with stories of what they did when something similar happened to them on a plane.
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“This happened to me recently. Except not only was the foot there, but the guy would occasionally run his fingers up my calf! It's creepy,” said Reddit user “253ish.”
The user said she “kicked him back a couple of times to no avail” and that the passenger only stopped what he was doing when her boyfriend started “stomping on her foot.”
After a photo went viral on Reddit showing a person's foot near another passenger's feet, people spoke out about their own experiences on airplanes. (iStock)
Another person described kicking a passenger who kept trying to invade their space.
“Every time, [the person] “He was yelling and I was telling them that the area under my seat is mine, not theirs,” SheiB123 said. “They called the flight attendant and she told them the same thing.”
SheiB123 continued with another story: “A friend spilled water on a man who did this with HIS BARE FEET!!”
“It is not everyone's responsibility to adapt [other] passenger comfort.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Stefania for comment and an etiquette expert for advice on what and what not to do.
While it may be satisfying in the moment to physically react to this type of situation, that's generally not the best option, California-based etiquette expert Rosalinda Randall told Fox News Digital.
Seeing another person's feet invade a personal area is jarring, she said.
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“There you are, huddled in your compact space, when you see, and possibly smell, an intrusion,” Randall said. “You look down and see a foot. Whether it's 'in a sock' or barefoot, it's an intrusion.”
Economy seats on airplanes, he said, “are not made for taller people.” That said, “it's not everyone's responsibility to provide passenger comfort.”
If a person is invading your personal space, possibly without even realizing it initially, Randall revealed what to do and what not to do.
Premium cabins have considerably more legroom than economy, making them a smart choice, if possible, for taller people, one etiquette expert said. (iStock)
The first thing to do, he said, is use the footwell in front of the seat.
“Gently place your feet in the designated area, gently tapping [the invader’s] foot, and I hope they take the hint,” he said.
If this doesn't work, a person can move their bag under the seat (where permitted) into the space.
“That will certainly hit the intruder's foot,” Randall said. “And I hope you get the hint.”
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If these strategies don't work and the “foot intruder” continues to invade, Randall suggested trying to talk to the person.
“You can approach them calmly and politely explain, 'I know there's little space on airplanes these days, so you understand that I, too, need all the space I can get.' Or, 'I don't want to keep stubbing your foot, like this.' Keep it under the seat,'” he said.
And, of course, “always end with 'thank you,'” Randall said.
If invasions of personal space continue to be a problem, one etiquette expert suggested asking a flight attendant for help with the situation. (iStock)
It is extremely important to remain calm, even if a person feels frustrated, upset, or even completely disgusted by the presence of an unwanted foot.
“If you feel cranky or tired or your communication style is direct and without forethought, don't handle it,” Randall said.
Instead, talk to the flight attendant and inform the professional about the situation.
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“I wouldn't have recommended it a few years ago, but with the increase in irritable passengers, I highly recommend it,” he said.
It is also not recommended to stomp on the person's foot or pour drinks on it.
“Doing anything to intentionally hurt someone is rude and wrong,” he said.
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“In the end, you will be the one who will be considered inconsiderate. Always try to resolve it politely.”
Randall also advised people to avoid making a scene by videotaping the encounter or announcing the problem to everyone.
“You may be perceived as the crazy one,” he said.
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