Should You Wake a Sleeping Seatmate?

We’ve all been there: You need to get up from your seat, but there’s a sleeping seatmate between you and the aisle. Do you wake the person, or suffer in silence?

It’s an age-old question of proper etiquette. We posed the question on Facebook, and got several good takes from both sides of the coin. One reader said, “All based on choice about where you sit. If someone needs to get up, that person should be able to. I’ve been both the person on the aisle and the one who had to ask someone to get up. Just part of the difficulties of flying.” Another reader said, “If you have to go, you have to go. Whoever is sleeping, should understand that. I know I will have to get up at least once, so I always take an aisle seat.”

So, readers, what about you? Do you tough it out, or do you give a polite nudge and ask to be excused? Maybe you consider the timing, perhaps electing to wait if there’s only 45 minutes or so left before you land.

And what if you’re on the aisle? Do you even bother trying to sleep? Do you prefer to be intentionally woken up? Does it bother you if people try to sneak by without waking you?

Leave a comment below with your thoughts. Thanks!