I boarded a flight after a long, grueling business trip and I just wanted to relax. Naturally, I was seated next to a chatty and rather eccentric woman. I kept trying to give hints that I didn’t want to talk – I buried my face in a magazine, put on my headphones – but nothing deterred this woman. I finally sat back and feigned sleep. In a little while, our meal trays were delivered. I was awake, but still pretending to be asleep. I felt the woman next to me reach over. I snuck a peek at her, and she was reaching over to my food tray and helping herself to my dinner roll! Then she took the cookie. I opened my eyes and said, “Um, ma’am, do you mind?” She started fumbling awkwardly and saying, “Oh, sorry, I didn’t think you were going to eat that.” But she didn’t offer to give them back! I just stared at her and she turned away and continued eating. I realized I had better keep my eyes open from then on. I started eating, trying to ignore her. But I quickly realized I had no silverware or napkin. All had been plucked up by her. I hit the flight attendant call button, fuming. I told the flight attendant I needed more of these items because “someone seems to have taken them.” The guilty party was unfazed. The flight attendant gave me new utensils and I could finally eat. Then I noticed that the magazine I was reading earlier – MY magazine – was in HER seat pocket. I reached over and theatrically grabbed it. She didn’t even look at me. I summoned the flight attendant and she found me another seat.

-- Angus M., Glasgow