That was the principle I took away from the experience.
What I Learned From the Man Behind Me
After landing, I gathered my belongings and prepared to leave the aircraft.
The aisle filled with passengers retrieving bags from the overhead compartments. People checked their phones, waited for the rows ahead to move, and prepared to continue their journeys.
The man behind me stood up as well.
For a moment, I thought he might say something about the earlier incident.
He looked in my direction, hesitated, and then turned toward the aisle.
No apology followed.
I did not expect one.
An apology would have been welcome, but it was not necessary for me to move on. The practical issue had been resolved, and there was little value in pursuing a stranger for an acknowledgment he might not be willing to offer.
I stepped into the aisle and joined the line of passengers leaving the aircraft.
