Summer has arrived. The livin’ is easy and the traffic is light. Dress codes are more relaxed and our schedules are less rigid. It’s time for more socializing, a lot of “out and about” time and of course, the time-honored family vacation.
If you are lucky enough to travel this summer, you won’t need to pay a baggage fee to take your manners along. Smile, be patient and practice the Golden Rule. This isn’t always easy when airports, security lines, food kiosks and airline employees are stretched thin. Take a good deep and treat others as you would like to be treated. You’d be surprised how far a kind word or random act of courtesy can go. Here are a few hints.
At the Airport: Arrive early. This helps keeps your stress level low. Your fellow passengers who are running late will have enough stress to go around and they may come down with a case of poor manners. Just give them a big smile and treat them kindly. Maybe they will pay it forward.
On board the airplane:
· Eat before you board the plan. Taking food on board should be the exception, not the rule. If you must take food on the airplane, choose carefully—almost any food item can make the whole plane smell and not all of your fellow passengers love Chinese food or a juicy burger.
· If you talk on your cell phone while the plane is on the ground keep your voice low. Talking loudly in such close quarters is just plain rude. Talk quietly—or just text.
· When reclining your seat, do it slowly. A sudden recline can topple drinks and spill whatever is on the tray table for the passenger behind you. Straighten your seat at least a little bit during snacks and the occasional meal—this lets the person behind you eat more easily.
· If you have to get up during the flight, try not to grab the back of the seat in front of you. If your action happens to wake up the passenger in front of you, he will definitely be grumpy.
· If you see a couple or family who would like to sit together, offer to help them out if you can. You might be in the same situation sometime.
· Help anyone who looks like they are having trouble getting their carryon in the overhead bin.
· Store anything you might need during the flight, such as books, a computer, DVD player, cell phone or an iPod, under the seat in front of you. Getting up and down to get something out of the overhead bin is aggravating to others, especially if you are in a center or window seat.
· Try not to invade your seatmate’s space. Turn the volume on your iPod or portable DVD player to low, and keep trash to a minimum.
· When it’s time to deplane, wait your turn and get off row by row. If you have a tight connection, let the flight attendant know. The flight crew will usually ask that passengers with a tight connection be allowed to exit the airplane first.
Be mindful that most people traveling--even during the summer--are business travelers. You're most likely going to have way more fun than they are over the next few days so give them a break when you can. Enjoy the friendly skies!
