r/TwoXChromosomes • u/Sea_Weakness9087 • 4d ago
Dealt with a gross situation on my flight today, but the crew’s support made all the difference
I (F20’s) was on a packed flight today. I had the aisle, an older man sat in the middle, and another young woman was on the window.
About 30 minutes in, he takes his shoes off, folds his legs up so his stinky feet are basically at lap level between us, and then just starts stroking and rubbing up his socked foot. Not like he had a cramp, not like he was massaging it — just repeatedly caressing it all weird. It wasn’t discreet… It honestly felt like he wanted us to notice, which made it way creepier. I got the sense it might be some foot fetish thing, and being stuck next to him made me super uncomfortable.
I got up with my bag and asked one of the attendants if I could move, explaining the situation a bit. She immediately found me an emergency exit seat, and throughout the flight multiple crew members checked in, apologized, and even helped me relocate my bag so I wouldn’t have to go back to my old row after landing.
I’ve dealt with awkward seatmates before, but this was the first time I felt like someone was deliberately crossing a line. I was so grateful the crew took it seriously without making me justify it. Just sharing as a reminder: if something feels off, you’re allowed to speak up. And also… Who thinks it’s okay to rub their foot like that in the middle seat between two strangers?? Nasty.
413
352
u/MNConcerto 4d ago
What about the other woman? They should have moved the gross guy.
54
u/notashroom Halp. Am stuck on reddit. 4d ago
Maybe he's done that before and gotten himself a solo seat? I'm wondering if it might have been a strategy.
11
308
u/CheeseRelief ♡ 4d ago
Did the FA’s ever just ask the man to stop/confront him? There was another young woman stuck there between him and the window. It definitely should’ve been addressed for all parties.
130
u/darps cool. coolcoolcool. 4d ago
I hate the fact that he was just allowed to creep you and others out like this - especially because that's their whole goal sometimes, in which case this is a victory to him. I get that the airline would rather avoid a complaint but it's still frustrating.
58
u/twopointsisatrend 4d ago
The FA probably could have told the creep that passengers are required to wear shoes at all times.
190
u/Moon-Beams00 4d ago
Ugh and Yuck! I'm so glad the attendants helped you and you're right, it most definitely seems like he had a fetish of some sort and wanted to make you uncomfortable. I'm so happy you're okay 🙏
6
u/Superb-Bug2439 4d ago
Sometimes the attendants do the right thing for as much grief as they got during the many mandatory days. A good friend/ sweetheart is one for delta hi sherry! and I know what a hard job it is, between the people who don’t speak English and the ones that won’t stay seated esp a prob on long overseas flights
160
u/ThoughtLocker 4d ago
34
u/tomboyfancy 4d ago
Ugh it’s so infuriating how timeless and universal this is to the female experience!
24
126
u/PeppermintEvilButler Basically Liz Lemon 4d ago
That sounds creepy af. He was definitely doing it because there was young women next to him
52
u/bongdropper 4d ago
Flight attendants have less and less to work with in the way of accommodations these days, but their true dedication to service is evident to me every time I fly. They will work with whatever they’ve got to make the ride as comfortable as possible for everyone on board. I feel indebted to them. Truly a noble order of service professionals.
15
u/zipperfire 4d ago
It's a really tough job. I wouldn't want to do it. They're dealing with the public at their worst (the stress of airports, flying and cramped seats.) They have to maintain decorum as well as enforce safety regulation and people view them as glorified waitstaff in the sky. They also are exposed to more ambient radiation when flying a lot let alone the air quality aboard an aircraft.
13
u/Theodora1976 4d ago
Once in a work trip I had a long crappy day, I got to the airport and saw I could upgrade to first class for $60. My work paid for the flight and I was tired and wanted to sleep and be comfy so I’m like f- it I’m worth it. I get a window seat so I can lean against the wall and nap.
Shortly after takeoff the man behind me brings his socked feet out and rests them on my left armrest to stretch out I guess. My eyes were closed but I smelled feet so when I opened my eyes and saw them I didn’t even think twice. I turned around (he started moving as soon as he saw me turning in my seat to his credit) and said in a quiet but firm voice “Excuse me sir but I can smell your feet”. He sheepishly put them away.
28
u/catscausetornadoes 4d ago
Please tell us what airline looked out for you.
24
u/Sea_Weakness9087 4d ago edited 4d ago
JetBlue! I filled out their crew member feedback form to thank them, too. :-)
10
u/InAcquaVeritas 4d ago
That’s gross. And the poor lady stuck against the window. I hate being stuck. When I fly on my own, I always pick the aisle.
12
u/JBWalker1 4d ago
And then they told they told him to put his foot down right??
15
u/Sea_Weakness9087 4d ago
I was too far to hear if they spoke to him, but when I went back to move my carry-on he had moved to the aisle seat and had his shoes back on at least.
5
9
u/ArsenalSpider =^..^= 3d ago
Considering how many men admit that they rely on gravity to wash themselves below the knees, it's no wonder that many can clear a room when they take off their shoes.
3
u/older_than-dirt 3d ago
Did you get stuck next to RFK Jr? I've seen pictures of him walking around a plane barefoot.
5
5
3
2
-12
u/ThinkingOz 4d ago
I wonder whether he would’ve done that sitting next to a male? If yes, I’d like to think any decent bloke would give him the eye, then, if he didn’t take the hint, say something directly.
51
u/mawkish 4d ago
Why are you imagining some "decent bloke" who isn't part of this story at all as the hero of the story?
-19
u/ThinkingOz 4d ago
No heroes. I suspect most women would rather just move, just like this lady did, rather than create a scene.
8
-7
-21
u/ThinkingOz 4d ago
I wasn’t thinking heroes or anything. I also suspect most women would rather just move, just like this lady did, rather than create a scene.
-14
-269
4d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
164
u/BeBraveShortStuff 4d ago
I guess next time you’re in OP’s situation you’re free to handle it how you see fit. If you are male presenting, don’t forget to add that privilege to the safety of your keyboard. Do you know how dangerous it can be for women to confront men doing weird things on airplanes?
136
u/halfassedmeg 4d ago
The last sentence could have stopped at “do you know how dangerous is it for women to confront men?”
176
u/hot_like_wasabi 4d ago
This is a shit take. Why is it OPs responsibility to correct this man's behavior? He's a stranger doing creepy shit in public. Ostracize and shame him. This is how society is supposed to work. Engaging, in any way, is exactly what he wants. I'm so sick of men putting the burden of change on women.
6
10
u/Sea_Weakness9087 4d ago
I actually had to confront him earlier on the flight for not wearing earphones and blasting videos on his phone. The issue wasn’t just the smelly feet – it was the creepy foot rubbing. I figured he was looking for a reaction, which is why I moved without confronting him. You’d think it was common sense not to do something like that…
8
10
u/RallyTowel 4d ago
Found the inflight foot-rubbing guy. Playing devils advocate, what is the reasonable explanation it would be considered acceptable or not indecent for spending the whole flight stroking your foot up on the seat next to 2 strangers?
2
u/iglidante 3d ago
The man didn't need to be reminded not to behave that way. He knew it was wrong. There's literally no way he didn't.
1
u/raendrop 4d ago
Did you stop reading when you got to the part about the stinky feet? Because it feels like you are ignoring what the real issue was.
2.4k
u/undaf3atd 4d ago
Did the other young woman get out too?