Please Keep Your Stinky Feet Off My Airplane Seat
"What is that smell?"
This was the question my mom asked during a six-hour flight back from Jamaica to our home state of Georgia.
A scrunched-up nose was the only response I gave to indicate that I, too, noticed the stench. Tired and frustrated from tedious security lines and the nerve-wracking process of going through customs, the last thing I wanted to see was socked-feet waving back through the crevice in the seat behind me.
The offending feet belonged to one of the many men’s college basketball players aboard our flight who participated in the 2018 Jamaica Classic that weekend. Lucky us, right? Let’s just say somewhere between Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Orlando, Florida, we finally understood the source of inspiration behind the term "athlete’s foot."
See, this is why we can't have nice things.
As my mom and I struggled to breathe in the fresh, chilly cabin air, my mind began to wonder just how many travelers put up with this grossly rude act. And also, why would anyone willingly expose their bare feet on a germ-filled aircraft?
According to Auburn University researchers, microbes can live up to seven days on leather airplane seats. That’s seven days’ worth of bacteria that guilty bare-feet offenders are subjecting their tootsies to. And while I'm not masking my judgment for those who are unafraid to air out their piggies on public transportation, don’t write my public service announcement off as selfish. Think of it as a polite request, one that hopefully ensures you don’t return from a trip or vacation with memories and a fungal infection.
Keeping the scary health stats in mind and my own frustration over the odorous ordeal of my flight, I sought out the wisdom of etiquette experts. Not surprisingly, going barefoot on a plane was a big no-no on their list of unspoken rules.
"Taking off your shoes on a plane can be disturbing or even offensive," says Myka Meier of Beaumont Etiquette, a program designed to train folks on the modern-day genteel practices.
"Feet are known to be one of the sweatiest parts of the body, and where there are sweat glands, there is bacteria, and where there is bacteria there is often smell or even fungus! Even with socks or shoes on, feet are not body parts we want to put in a neighbor’s personal space because it’s not considered hygienic. It’s also about foot placement. It’s impolite to put your feet up on seat cushions or head rests where other people will also be using that space. If it’s a communal area, be sure to think of how your actions will affect others before making a move."
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A post shared by Myka Meier (@mykameier) on Sep 5, 2018 at 12:59pm PDT
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Meier, who was trained by a former member of The Queen's Household, also adds that wearing socks may be acceptable, as long as you "keep your feet south in the designated foot rest area." The only exception to the sock rule is if you’re on a short flight, Meier says.
Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick, founder and president of The Etiquette School of New York has the perfect solution for long-haul flying.
"Bring slippers!" recommends Napier-Fitzpatrick.
But how does one address an inconsiderate passenger, particularly if they happen to be an intimidating six-foot tall athlete?
"If you notice feet dangling over your head, it’s okay to politely ask the person to move them away from your seat area," suggests Meier. "My belief is that if you make something a big deal, it becomes a big deal. Make sure your tone isn’t too aggressive or loud when communicating your request, and say, 'thank you,' when they oblige. However, if the issue persists, or if you’re uncomfortable saying something, you can privately ask a flight attendant for help. Remember, the goal is not to embarrass someone, but simply to get them to stop the bad behavior so you can enjoy your flight."
And if you thought the cost of comfort just affected those of us roughing it in the back of the plane, you’ll be surprised to learn that there are just as many passengers itching to take their shoes off in first class, too. In November, Olympic snowboarder Shaun White posted a clip on Instagram of a person who dared to place their bare feet on the back of his seat.
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Tag someone who probably does this...🤢
A post shared by Shaun White (@shaunwhite) on Nov 30, 2018 at 5:31pm PST
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Upon watching the three-minute video, I so desperately wish I had taken Meier and Napier-Fitzpatrick’s advice of politely asking the basketball player behind me to do us all a favor and put back on his Nike’s.
What it comes down to is that an airplane and The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are not one in the same. There, mindlessly shuffling our way through roped-off lines, we have to brave whatever comes with people removing their shoes and belts. Not so much on a plane, where we're constricted to our seats, forcing our noses to be subjected to foul-smelling food (a tuna sandwich? seriously?), dirty diapers, and exposed body parts.
Like most frequent flyers, I understand that there’s a chance I’ll be seated next to someone who ignores my headphones and book in hand to talk about the weather or the latest celebrity drivel. That’s all fair game when flying. But if we just followed Meier's one tried-and-true etiquette rule, we'd all be able to happily coexist 30,000 feet in the air, even when some kid is kicking the back of our seat.
"Good etiquette simply means being kind, respectful, and thinking of others around you before yourself, even on flights," Meier says.
If you're worried about the myriad of other ways you could anger your seat buddies, she also offers this advice: "Keep your items organized so you're not not getting up and down to grab things from the overhead storage frequently. Also, kindly use the restroom when others in your row do (if possible) so others don't have to leave their seats.
Bottom line: You deserve to relax and put your feet up. Just please wait until you reach your destination.
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