Airline etiquette concerning meals

[Bruce9241]

You know how they only give you a little bit of food on airlines? Small bags of peanuts, a small plastic cup of orange juice, a bite size piece of bread, small portions all around. You can't get full on this.

This got me thinking. Would it be considered impolite to ask the person sitting next to you if he or she is going to finish that?

For example. Your neighbor eats everything on his meal plate, (chicken medley of vegetables, a 2x2 chocolate brownie and some canned fruit) except the canned fruit. Would it be considered weird to ask him if you can have his canned fruit?

Now you don't know this neighbor of yours. This is the first time you two have met. Infact you two haven't really said much on the 18 hour flight. He's just some guy trying to get home or something.

I don't think it would be. I mean if he doesn't eat his canned fruit, the airline is probably going to toss it out anyway, or worse, give it to the poor.

 

[Xericx]

Yes, it would be impolite to do so. That's reserved for people you actually know personally. Most people don't even want to chat on flights, let alone give their neighbor some food, even if they are to throw it away.

 

[Happydayz]

Of course it would be rude.

I think your bigger problem is not getting full off of airline meals. Cheesecake Factory style portioning is NOT normal and we as a country would be far healthier if airline size portions were more prevalent. /rant off

 

[spertia]

If I see that the person next to me has already eaten a certain item (say, a bag of peanuts), and I'm not planning to eat my own, I usually just offer it to him/her.

 

[sho'nuff]

i wouldnt ask myself, but if you felt inclined to , i would see no harm in it. if you asked me and i didnt know you, i wouldnt think anything of it.

 

[Neo_Version 7]

I agree with the two posts above.

I never eat my vegetables or fruits so I would readily give them to you if you asked.

 

[GQgeek]

Can you imagine the unpleasantness on a long flight if they filled everyone up with big portions? Imo, the airlines are doing the right thing here.

 

[flashback]

I think in this context it would be a little weird. The question should be are you REALLY that desperate for your neighbors little can of fruit? Is that really going to make a huge dent in your appetite?

 

[GQgeek]

Originally Posted by flashback

I think in this context it would be a little weird. The question should be are you REALLY that desperate for your neighbors little can of fruit? Is that really going to make a huge dent in your appetite?

Or, I hate to state the obvious, but you could always bring snacks in your carry-on...

 

[FidelCashflow]

Just ask. Too many times people hesitate to ask for something because they think "it might be akward" when the other person is really and truly indifferent. If it doesn't bother them and it makes you happy, why not?

Also, if the other person is sleeping, stealing their food is fair game.

 

[JayJay]

On a recent flight the woman sitting next to me asked for my dessert. I was happy to oblige, and thought nothing of it.

 

[Nugget]

I usually ask the crew if I want more of anything. that's the way it is supposed to work, right?

asking for a pen for the immigration card is about as much conversation I want with co-passengers.. I certainly don't want to share meals with them.

 

[Neo_Version 7]

I think pens are a different matter. I've been in situations where I didn't have one which led me to asking my neighbour.

 

[Bruce9241]

What about standing in the middle of the aisle and asking the whole cabin if anyone wants to trade their chocolate brownie for your uneaten chicken? I'm sure someone liked the chicken and would be glad to make the trade.

 

[Stazy]

Originally Posted by Neo_Version 7

I think pens are a different matter. I've been in situations where I didn't have one which led me to asking my neighbour.

I had a flight attendant scold me once when I asked her for a pen. She told me I should have been better prepared for traveling.