If you've ever booked a plane or train ticket, only to be approached by someone who wants swap, there is a certain way you should respond. That's according to one etiquette expert, who says there is only one acceptable reason for the request.
A man was recently praised for refusing to give up his pre-booked train seat to an "entitled" passenger. While a plane traveller was "glared at" for refusing to give up his extra legroom seats to an elderly couple - after paying more for the comfort, the Mirror reports.
Strangers hoping to get a seat swap isn't uncommon and can make for awkward situations, so what's to be done? In an interview with The Independent, Diane Gottsman, founder of The Protocol School of Texas, said you shouldn't feel obligated to give up your booked seat.
Also, those looking to change seats should seek help from the vehicle's ticket operator - not other customers. She said: "Wanting to sit next to a friend, or preferring a window seat rather than an aisle, is not a good enough reason. If you and your spouse are separated, it simply means you booked late or did not plan in advance to book seats together."
Diane went on to reveal that there's really only one acceptable scenario where you could request a seat switch, and that's if you're a parent or guardian who found "no possible way" through pre-planning to ensure they ended up seated with their young child.
She did however go on to clarify that although this situation would make it perfectly "understandable" to ask for a seat swap, even then you can really only justify it if you've already made an effort to rectify the situation in other ways.
Diane also went on to remark that, even in cases where there's a young child to consider, "it's always best to ask a ticket agent or someone from the travel company if there is a possibility of changing or switching seats before you board the plane or train".
This is because asking a fellow passenger puts the other person "in an awkward position", and will naturally rely on their "goodwill" to say yes.
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