Would you switch seats?
By Cahaya
@cahaya1983 (11121)
Malaysia
November 21, 2017 7:20pm CST
You could be the one asking, or being asked, to switch seats with another person. Or you've probably been on both sides.
In the plane, bus, restaurant, classroom, whatever (although it does seem to happen more often in the airplane), for different reasons. There's the "Yeah! Sure!" kind of people who would happily swap seats when asked and there's the "Uh, I think I'd rather sit here, thanks" kind - also for different reasons.
Would you switch seats if asked, and would you ask others to switch seats with you? If you've experienced the situation, how did you and the other party react?
21 people like this
23 responses
@YrNemo (20261)
•
22 Nov 17
On airplanes, people didn't mind switch seats with me and my kids, so that we could sit together, or for the kids to have the window seats so that they could ooh and aah appropriately at the right time. (Same on the trains and buses, people have been very nice when we travel together in a group. We didn't even need to ask, those people were nice weren't they!)
5 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 17
That's nice. I've been fortunate too, no one I asked had any problems switching seats with me. I think people in general understand when parents ask to switch seats so they could sit together with the kids especially if it's a long distance travel. 
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 17
@YrNemo Haha that's actually kind of adorable! I don't think I could hold back a giggle if I hear that sort of reply. I think she's just taking precautionary measures. 
1 person likes this
@YrNemo (20261)
•
23 Nov 17
@cahaya1983 I offered a lady in her late 70s today, if she would like to have my seat for her husband so that the two could sit together. She smiled, shook her head, saying something like, 'no, he has heart problem, I don't want him to be excited!' I thought lots about that answer. What did she mean really? Perhaps if he sat next to her on that bus, he would get too excited? 
(how do you think?)
(how do you think?)1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
22 Nov 17
I get motion sick easily and I have to have a window seat. Once I got a center seat and I asked after take off could I take a window seat and the lady told me yes. This woman heard me and as soon as we were in the air she got up took the seat I asked for and closed the window..
5 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 17
That's so mean. I don't understand why some people would do such a thing for no reason. Not like she cared about the window seat anyway right, since she closed the window? Were you okay though during the flight?
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
22 Nov 17
Most coveted seats in the world, I would say.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 17
So if a group of friends come and ask you to switch seats just so they could sit together, you would refuse?
1 person likes this
@ilocosboy (45157)
• Philippines
22 Nov 17
Maybe if a senior should really use my seat I would gladly say yes.
3 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 17
What about if a couple asks you to switch seats so they can sit next to each other? Does it make a difference?
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
22 Nov 17
I wouldn't do it if the other person thought my seat was better, but two people wanted to sit together or it would help a parent, then yes I would do it.
3 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 17
I agree, I wouldn't mind at all if it means accommodating some people, like parents and their kids. But I know that some people refuse to do that in the airplane because they paid extra for a premium seat.
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 17
I would ask only if I have a good reason to, and I've never said no to others wanting to switch seats with me.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 17
I understand. I can't recall ever refusing to switch seats. I think most people have a good reason for asking.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
22 Nov 17
I am usually the one asking on a plane. I don't want to be by a window. too scary but on a bus, I have often been asked and done so. no problem
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 17
Oh really? Interesting, I've always thought people would fight to get window seats!
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 17
That's good, I think most people don't really mind unless it's a special seat that they paid extra for. So far nobody refused when I asked.
2 people like this
@Letranknight2015 (51529)
• Philippines
22 Nov 17
There was this one time in the free consultation clinic that the Pharmacy was promoting. It was my turn to this doctor when this annoying middle age lady asked me permission to change doctors and tried to persuade me but I ignore her. But I did what she asked me. I don't think people here will switch seats with you.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 17
I wonder why she decided that last minute. If there's a good reason I probably would switch seats but unfortunately some people ask to do that just because they think they're somehow entitled to it.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 17
That's good, have you asked others to switch seats with you before?
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 17
That makes sense. There are different reasons why people would ask. Not all are acceptable, I suppose.
1 person likes this
@yanzalong (18984)
• Indonesia
27 Nov 17
It happened to me several times. It was because she wanted to be next to her husband, who was next to me. So, I agreed and understood how a woman wanted to be next to her husband in a public transport.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
27 Nov 17
Yes it's polite to let a married couple sit next to each other, I wouldn't mind at all.
@UmiNoor (4483)
• Malaysia
22 Nov 17
I've never asked to switch seats. I will wait for the person to offer. For example, if I'm on a train and there's a person sitting in the middle of three empty seats. My companion and I will sit in the empty seats and will talk over the person sitting in the middle. I hope that will make him uncomfortable enough to offer to switch seats. I don't think I would want to request to switch seats.
On the other hand, if I'm asked to switch seats, I would probably oblige if I'm all by myself. I wouldn't know how to say No.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 17
You made a good point. In some cases we probably don't even have to ask, I've experienced that myself as well. I don't know if it's culturally related or whatever but I wonder why in some cases people can make a huge drama about not wanting to switch seats simply out of consideration and kindness.
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (37726)
• Philippines
2 Dec 17
I always like the seat near the window in airplane and bus. I would request a seat near the window and if they allow me I'm happy sometimes they also like that seat so I give way to them
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
3 Dec 17
Window seats are the best, but now I just let the kids have them especially on the plane, so they can enjoy the view.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
25 Nov 17
That's nice. I wouldn't mind either, if there is a good reason.
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
1 Dec 17
it depends. if iit is my son requesting, i would gladly give my seat to him; otherwise if other people, i will stick to my own seat
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
1 Dec 17
Oh yes I wouldn't have problems switching seats with family members either. But if it's a stranger asking I think it depends on what the reason is.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
2 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 i always like to stay at the wondow's side. if i am at the center, i can watch TV on board.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 17
@Hannihar If that's a local culture that is socially acceptable then I suppose most people would understand, although maybe to foreigners it may seem unusual.
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
23 Nov 17
Do you mean men not wanting to sit next to a woman? So it's the norm there?
@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
23 Nov 17
@cahaya1983
Yes that is what I mean Cahaya.
1 person likes this
