Traveller etiquette

Returning tonight on a flight, and something struck me as really rude. The passenger a few seats away was watching their iPad with no headphones. Just plain old speakers turned upon front while he watched his show. (FYI Row 4, so I assume they are a very regular traveller, not some holiday maker)

So brains trust, how would you react in this situation? Is it just accepted now, like it is on a train or other public transport? Should staff on board fix this? Should I say something?

Normally I would argue against pushing somebody out of the emergency exit mid-flight. But there is an exception to every rule

There are plenty of morons out there who lack etiquette. Every time i see that, i make sure i go home and teach my kids about what i learnt from that experience/episode, so they can be better citizens.

I would have asked the flight attendant to get him to turn it down. I'm sure you were not the only frustrated person. Besides, you need to be able to hear instructions and announcements.

Unfortunately, I have to concur with the other comments about inconsiderate mindless bogans.

It's self-help now unfortunately. I carry a good set of foam earplugs.

Back in the travelling times (they haven't resumed for me yet) I'd see this all the time in lounges. Also people having extrememly loud phone conversations, often on speakerphone. And a number of times I've overhears calls with what really is commercially sensitive information. It's unbelievable. But also annoyed that lounge staff don't do anything when someone is clearly disrupting everyone around them.

Lots of corporate demi gods out there too who act like nothing short of obnoxious pigs when it comes to etiquette at hotels or in-flight.

Personal view is that in situations like that then cabin crew should be saying something. I would welcome clear signage in lounges and perhaps on board that phones / tablets can only be used with headphones. It has certainly become more of an issue.

The answer is ..

on most civilised airlines (both domestic and international) it is a function of the cabin crew to offer a complimentary pair of wired in-ear plugs or a headset with a gentle reminder that other passengers may be within 'hearing range' of his/her device.

I would have no problem with quietly advising a flight attendant that said individual's lack of courtesy was impairing my ability to concentrate. COVID conditions should have no sublimating effect - after all, with reduced in-cabin services, there should be sufficient time to address such issues IMHO.

Fair point, particularly at the moment there's no headphones on offer so they didn't have a way to resolve this easily.

@tripleplatinum2

"Gutless"? No, definitely not. On-board an aircraft, neither you, I or the offender run the show. That is why there are flight attendants. There is nothing wrong with mentioning this to a flight attendant - since it may be that the behavior may have escaped their attention. If not, I would consider that a dereliction of duty.

By your OWN admission upthread, your direct intervention yielded a less than satisfactory result, to whit:

"Yep selfish bogan move - I encountered the same in a restaurant the other day and copped the usual aggressive 'F$#@ off!' from the bogan."

So thank you for your advice, which I will understandably ignore.

It can be quite useful for you to join in the conversation, ask the caller to repeat something or spell someone's name. That will get the message across.

huh ? Is this comment in the wrong thread perchance, John?

kimshep, I think John is referring to loud speaker phone conversations, where entering the conversation (might, hopefully) indicate just how disruptive the conversation is. Though in my experience, these people couldn't give a damn and are more likely to thump you than comply.

I would just speak to the noisy pax myself, and have done several times. My most annoying incident was when a man was watching camel racing at full volume!