Instead of apologizing, he leaned back farther into his seat.
“You can use the other side,” he said dismissively.
His answer revealed something more troubling than simple inconsideration.
He genuinely seemed to believe that his comfort mattered more than mine, even when achieving that comfort required invading someone else’s personal space.
I could have raised my voice. I could have argued with him in front of the surrounding passengers.
I could have demanded that he explain why he believed his behavior was acceptable.
But I decided against all three options.
I had learned over the years that not every disagreement deserves an emotional reaction.
Sometimes, the most effective response to arrogance is not anger but composure.
So I turned forward again.
The man apparently interpreted my silence as surrender.
That was his first mistake.
The Passenger Who Mistook Patience for Weakness
For the next several minutes, I tried to concentrate on the flight.
