How Rude!

NRO ^ | 6/23/05 | Deroy Murdock

[exDemMom]

On a recent flight from La Guardia to Atlanta en route to New Orleans, a young father prepared to change his baby son's diaper on the empty window seat beside his own spot on the aisle. After another horrified passenger and I objected, the tot's mother addressed the infant's biological needs in the appropriate place — the lavatory.

Not to be the Devil's advocate here, but it occurs to me that airplane lavatories aren't all that roomy, nor do they contain changing tables. I believe I did the same thing, a couple of decades ago.

[Trust but Verify]

Hard to imagine people actually need to have these things pointed out to them.

[Maceman]

On a recent flight from La Guardia to Atlanta en route to New Orleans, a young father prepared to change his baby son's diaper on the empty window seat beside his own spot on the aisle. After another horrified passenger and I objected, the tot's mother addressed the infant's biological needs in the appropriate place — the lavatory. She looked disturbed that anyone would oppose the sanitary affront her husband attempted.

Having changed many, many diapers, I can assure you that it would be almost impossible to change one safely or efficiently in an airplane lavatory.

I personally would not have any problem at all if someone changed a diaper in an empty window seat. It is not typically a messy, smelly process if one is properly equipped and prepared.

While I am second to none in lamenting the deterioration of manners in society, I think the author of this story and the flight attendant involved ought to just get over themselves.

[Wolfie]

On a recent flight from La Guardia to Atlanta en route to New Orleans, a young father prepared to change his baby son's diaper on the empty window seat beside his own spot on the aisle.

Ick. Where's an Air Marshall when you need one?

[Alia]

His is an excellent article. Politeness is about consideration of others. It really doesn't take much. For the initiate, it requires self-discipline. Long ago, I believe it was Dear Abby (or her sister) who wrote that "politeness is the traffic light of a civil society".

[Alia]

Hard to imagine people actually need to have these things pointed out to them.

Consideration of others is something to be perpetually reminded of in a civil society.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Children under the age of 18 should be in checked baggage.

[texson66]

Most (not all) commerical jet aircraft do have a fold -down table for changing. The Dad could have asked a flight attendent before changing the babys diaper.

[TGOGary]

On a recent flight from La Guardia to Atlanta en route to New Orleans, a young father prepared to change his baby son's diaper on the empty window seat beside his own spot on the aisle. After another horrified passenger and I objected, the tot's mother addressed the infant's biological needs in the appropriate place — the lavatory. She looked disturbed that anyone would oppose the sanitary affront her husband attempted.

One person can barely fit in one let alone a parent and an infant. Social grace is one thing, social stupidity is another.

[kevkrom]

I personally would not have any problem at all if someone changed a diaper in an empty window seat. It is not typically a messy, smelly process if one is properly equipped and prepared.

Especially if they're using a pad to protect the seat from any accidental leakage.

[Alia]

Do you think it would be polite of the parent changing the diapers to ask those nearby if they minded, first? That would be a form of politeness. Often there is room elsewhere on the plane, far more roomier than a flight seat, to accomplish the task of changing a diaper.

[ruiner]

I have to get this off my chest, but the mere fact that someone has a child doesn't give them the right to do whatever they want "for the children."

I'm polite and I'm a gentleman, but just because I don't have a child doesn't mean those that do can do whatever they want and I have to deal with it.

Ok, feel better now. This rant is really directed at a lot of different sources: the kids at the neighborhood pool who can't be corrected by anyone but their absentee parents, the people in the neighborhood who yelled at me for driving 10mph because their kids were running in the street . . .

[Constitution Day]

BUMP.

[LiberationIT]

On a recent flight, Dallas to Detroit, in First Class the guy across the aisle from me was dipping snuff and spitting into a styrofoam cup. Yuk!
As if that wasn't bad enough he then brought out and began to read a copy of Bill Clinton's "My Life." Double Yuk!!!

[steve-b]

Some people just have no sense of shame. (I'd insert a picture of Bill Clinton here, but that joke is just too easy.)

[Sam's Army]

"Leaving the lid or seat up makes the next guest contemplate whether you stood or sat during your visit."

What if they just have good aim?

[BluH2o]

I believe I did the same thing, a couple of decades ago.

Bad enough you have to sit near a wailing kid on a long flight, the only thing worse is having someone hacking and coughing within close proximity. As far as changing diapers ... especially in coach where seating is crowded to the extent it borders on ridiculous ... give me a break.

[BureaucratusMaximus]

13) When you are in your car, do not assume that EVERYONE appreciates the same kind of music that you do. Keep the volume at a reasonable level, everyone doesn't want to feel like they are riding in YOUR car listening to YOUR music. This goes especially for folks who have speakers with the bass capaicity to register as a small earthquake.

[Non-Sequitur]

Not to be the Devil's advocate here, but it occurs to me that airplane lavatories aren't all that roomy, nor do they contain changing tables. I believe I did the same thing, a couple of decades ago.

Take the kid into the galley and change them there. It's not like they keep food in them anymore.