Woman gets back at entitled old man on 1st-class flight who talks down to her: 'I put my hand up and just say "No"'... he didn't say anything else to me for the remaining 45 minutes'

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Sep 14, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

The way that some folks talk down to young women just gives you an immediate ick. It's so unpleasant to witness, and if it happens to you, it can be annoying or even upsetting. 

It happens all the time. It can be innocent things like when someone says "Ladies first," while opening a door… but then puts their hand on your back as you pass by. Ugh! Knock it off, man! Other times, you'll start to tell a story, only for some old guy to tell you that things were different when he was young, and that women acted more respectable back in the day. Plenty of oldsters will talk over their wives, or demean their daughters right to their faces. I mean, I could go on and on, but chances are, you've seen your fair share of "gross old man behaviors" for yourself just from being out in the world. 

The entitlement these old dudes feel isn't limited to the people they actually know — a lot of them think they just know better than everyone, including strangers! I don't know what this fellow expected when he started criticizing this one young woman on a plane. He even had the weird idea to sigh loudly when she started working on a laptop because he didn't like the sound of typing. Uh… that's a pretty quiet noise, I think he just wanted to control what this person was doing. At least she got back at him, as you can read all about down below. 

Next, read about the employees who got fired, like one person who told their boss, "If I'm so important… they need to pay me more." 

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  • 01
    Young blond girl in black shirt looking to the side, in background is man with glasses, blue shirt, coffee cup, and laptop sitting on a plane
    via Wesley Tingey For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02

    "Old man really messed with my first, first class experience"

    Last week I flew from Detroit, MI to Charlotte, NC. It was my first time flying first class and I was pretty excited. It's not a long flight or a big plane but I was still stoked. The old man I sat next to was a piece of work from the start. I don't know what his problem was. He boarded first and was already seated when I got to my seat. When I lifted my luggage to place it up in the overhead compartment he put his hand on
    via u/SassyPikachu666
  • 03
    my luggage and said "no sweetie, you need to put your luggage by YOUR seat, this is for first class passengers". I told him that my seat was right there and pointed to the seat next to his. This dude actually asked to see my boarding pass. I couldn't help but chuckle a bit (I mean, the audacity...) and said "absolutely not, please get up so I can sit" I could tell he wanted to argue more but he did stand and I sat down.
    via u/SassyPikachu666
  • 04
    The flight attendant comes by and asks if we would like anything to drink. I asked for a mimosa because, why not? The old man turns to me and asks if I'm old enough to drink. Not in a joking way but like he's the Delta airlines age enforcement. I think the flight attendant could see my annoyance because she quickly told him that that's for her to worry about.
    via u/SassyPikachu666
  • 05
    Once we are in the air I take my laptop out to do some work. He lets out this dramatic sigh and mumbles about how he would love to have just one flight where he "doesn't have to hear click clacking of a keyboard". I look him de d in the eyes and put my headphones in. Dude got lucky because the Wi-Fi was really spotty and my remote login for my work computer was not working. I put my laptop away and grab my book (I'm about half way through The Shining). If you
    via u/SassyPikachu666
  • 06
    Man with short haircut, glasses, blue shirt, coffee cup, and laptop sitting on airplane
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 07
    guessed that he also had a problem with me reading, you're correct! I placed the book on my tray table while I zipped my backpack up and he leans in super close, totally in my bubble, to look at the cover. He then proceeds to tell me, in the snottiest tone, that he "isn't a big fan of Stephen King and prefers books with more substance and value". My impulse reaction was to just roll my eyes. I grab my book and start reading. He must
    via u/SassyPikachu666
  • 08
    not of liked that because he starts to say "you know, you should really..." but I cut him off. I put my hand up and just say "no" and I go back to reading. He didn't say anything else to me for the remaining 45 minutes. I did have a second of feeling bad and thought maybe a could have been more forgiving but he was just so condescending and ride.
    via u/SassyPikachu666
  • 09
    The entitlement to comment on everything I was doing was wild. I just wanted to enjoy the big seats and free drinks but this guy really got under my skin.
    via u/SassyPikachu666

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flight seating seats plane passenger mildly infuriating flights airplane flying
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