What are ‘aisle lice'? The problem plaguing air travel — and you might be one of them
These pesky people are now being referred to as 'aisle lice,' and unless you have a connecting flight that's leaving in the very near future, it's rude to rush ahead of people.
However, in a bid to avoid confrontation, those angered by the aisle lice should practice patience and politeness.
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Travel experts told HuffPost that it's important to be patient and practice common courtesy — no matter how annoyed you are.
'Stand by and let pass, or kill 'em with kindness,' Katy Nastro, a spokesperson for the flight alert service Going, told the outlet.
3 The people who instantly crowd into the aisle are often referred to as 'aisle lice.'
Thomas Barwick via Getty Images
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She advised politely asking the person if they have a connection or an emergency that requires them to get off the plane as soon as possible. If they don't, explain to them that there is an etiquette to deplaning so everyone can get off as efficiently as possible.
'If the other person isn't willing to oblige, well, you tried to do your part.'
Jodi R.R. Smith, the president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, shared with HuffPost that there are some instances when standing in the aisle can be acceptable — but most of the time it isn't polite behavior.
'If there is room, I am all for some of the passengers standing up in the aisle because this allows those still seated in the row a bit more elbow room and the ability to actually look around their seats to gather all of their belongings. It also allows for the overheads to be opened, making for easier unloading,' Smith said.
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'What is not OK is pushing those standing in the aisle. Not every aisle seat will be able to stand, and if the passenger across the aisle from you has already stood, you will need to wait.'
The best way to avoid aisle lice, she said, is to book a window seat and stay seated until a majority of people are out of the way. Passengers who need extra time or assistance to deplane should wait until passengers are disembarked, as airlines usually request.
'Honestly, what is more of a nuisance, especially in airplane travel, are those passengers who stand lollygagging in the aisle, turning this way and that, surprised that it is their turn, while blocking others from disembarking,' Smith said.
3 Many passengers feel frustrated by aisle lice and can't help but be bothered.
Getty Images/iStock
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Smith also advised not judging too quickly and to first assume that the passengers standing don't mean to be in others' way.
'Not everyone is able to sit still for hours on end,' she explained. 'For others, it may be medically necessary for them to walk and stretch during the journey.'
Another valid reason could be if the passenger had a long delay and their connection time is now shorter, meaning just a few seconds could make or break the person making their next flight.
'But other passengers are just done being seated and want to stand to stretch their legs,' Smith said. 'And yes, there are a subset of passengers that are just plain pushy.'
3 There are a few instances when standing in the aisle can be acceptable.
Goffkein – stock.adobe.com
In some places, aisle lice has become a bigger issue. Turkish Aviation Authorities implemented a fine for fine passengers who stand up early and crowd aircraft aisles while waiting to deplane, with penalties reaching nearly $70.
'Aisle lice' is related to the concept of 'gate lice,' the people who crowd the gate area during boarding, even before their boarding group is called.
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Buzz Feed
4 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Signs Someone Is American, According To Europeans
Want to know how to spot an American abroad? Ask a European. 'As someone who works closely with American clients through destination weddings and food tours, I've picked up on quite a few telltale signs,' Portuguese tour guide and food critic Carol Batista told HuffPost. From coffee orders to outfit choices to general vibes, many different kinds of signals can indicate someone is from the U.S. While some are endearing, others might raise more than a few eyebrows. 'I try to avoid generalizations ― a Brooklyn creative won't travel the same way as someone from Texas or the Midwest,' said Stéphanie Pons, the founder of Lisbon Insiders. 'But there is a shared sense of optimism, confidence, and curiosity.' Below, find 23 signs that someone is American, according to Batista, Pons, and other Europeans: Comfort-First Fashion 'You'll often see Americans in athleisure, sneakers, baseball caps, or hoodies, even when traveling, which is often a contrast to more polished local fashion in such European destinations like Italy, for example.' ― Jane Iskra, Iceland-based elopement photographer at ISKRA Photography 'That unwavering confidence of walking into a centuries-old basilica dressed like you just left a reformer Pilates class. Think: athletic leggings, oversized hoodie, and maybe ― just maybe ― sandals with socks. Practical? Extremely. Contextual? Not quite.' ― Luli Monteleone, Lisbon-based digital marketing specialist Big Spending Habits 'At supermarkets or stores abroad, Americans often buy in bulk or stock up more than locals, who tend to shop daily.' ― Iskra 'Americans love to spend ― and often do so more generously than other nationalities. But they also like to feel they're getting great value in return. I would say that the mix of enthusiasm and practicality is very American. Coming from a country with much higher wages, they sometimes don't realize how large the gap is. For example, in Portugal, the average monthly salary is about 1,100 € (~$1,250), so what feels affordable to them can seem extravagant to locals.' ― Batista On The Hunt For Iced Coffee 'The iced coffee hunt. Even in the middle of winter ― and ideally in a 500ml cup. There's a kind of dedication there that I honestly admire.' ― Monteleone 'I would say if they have a drink with lots of ice (either water or iced coffee).' ― Steffi Crivellaro, U.K.-based blogger at Steffi Daydreamer Loud Confidence 'One of the biggest indications is usually that you can hear them before you see them. It's not necessarily that they're loud, but they command attention wherever they are, which also leans into how confidence is built in America. I have often found that Americans are very confident. Even if it does not come naturally to each individual, they seem to have been conditioned or taught to be confident, which means they tend to take up space wherever they are.' ― Ronke Lawal, PR and communications consultant in London 'Americans tend to find everything 'amazing,' and they're not shy about saying so ― out loud and often. They speak with a volume that's just slightly above local norms, even when whispering. And in a world where many cultures lean toward discretion, that kind of openness stands out.' ― Pons Stanley Cups 'Reusable Stanley-style coffee mugs are a giveaway ― they seem to go everywhere with them, even when traveling!' ― Iskra 'Carrying a Stanley or huge water bottle.' ― Crivellaro Large Engagement Rings 'The big, sparkly engagement ring tradition is very American. In some countries, engagement rings aren't as flashy or aren't even a thing sometimes.' ― Iskra Jumping Straight Into English 'It's not the accent ― it's the cheerful assumption that English will always do the job. Most locals do speak it, but trying a simple 'ciao' or 'bonjour' tends to unlock a different kind of experience. It's a small gesture, but it changes everything.' ― Monteleone Seeking Air Conditioning 'In the summer, Italians love to stay outdoors: The squares fill up, and the outdoor tables are always the most desired. Americans, on the other hand, almost always choose the indoor spaces with air conditioning. For them, climate comfort is an absolute priority.' ― Diana De Lorenzi, Rome-based lifestyle blogger 'Americans are notoriously hot all the time and expect lots of air conditioning and ice when they travel, two things that aren't so easy to come by in Italy!' ― Livia Hengel, founder of The Italy Edit Warmth and Friendliness 'I've traveled extensively in the US, and if there's one thing I've consistently noticed, it's their amazing ability to start a conversation: openly, spontaneously, as if they already knew the person in front of them. It can be quite disconcerting for us Europeans, but it's a deeply rooted part of their culture. In France in particular, this kind of attitude is sometimes seen as insincere or self-serving. But I've always defended it, I actually find it refreshing to have even a short exchange with someone who is smiling, warm, and quick to compliment your outfit or haircut. Personally, I love good energy, and I take the good where I find it.' ― Kenza Sadoun el Glaoui, Parisian digital creator 'In Ireland, people are known for their friendliness, but we don't have a patch of the Americans. They say hello to everyone, they chat to locals, they ask questions, and it's lovely to see. There's a sort of genuine, open curiosity about an American abroad that I, personally, find very endearing.' ― Tara Povey, blogger at Where Is Tara? Genuine Enthusiasm 'Americans are often very expressive ― big smiles, open curiosity, confident energy. And when they feel they've been well taken care of, they're incredibly grateful. I've had food tour guests react like it was Christmas morning just because of a market tasting or a pastry they'd never tried before, and a bride bringing me a full suitcase with gym clothes as a souvenir from LA — and it's truly heartwarming.' ― Batista 'My partner Luca Veralli is a master gelato maker, and his gelato has been awarded by Gambero Rosso. Every time an American tourist tastes it, they always ― without fail ― say the same phrase: 'Oh my God!' For us, it's a joy. They say it with genuine enthusiasm that truly makes us happy. But it's funny how this exclamation is almost always identical, as if it were a ritual.' ― De Lorenzi, Generous Tipping 'One immediate giveaway is that American travelers are generous tippers ― even though the U.S. is one of the only countries in the world where a 20%-plus tip is expected as the norm. On the other hand, with average salaries nearly double those in Italy, tipping makes sense and is a great way to show appreciation for good service, especially in places where it's not expected.' ― Hengel 'America has a very generous tipping culture, unlike any other country I've ever visited. When Americans travel outside the U.S., leaving large tips is a sure sign of where they are from. In Ireland and most of Europe, we only leave tips if the service or the food has been particularly good, and servers definitely do not expect or rely upon tips.' ― Povey Paying By Credit Card 'Americans always pay by card, even for very small amounts like a 1 euro espresso. This is another cultural difference we see every day.' ― De Lorenzi Wide Smiles and Perfect Teeth 'Americans are known for having great dental care and wide, confident smiles. Smiles and perfect teeth are often one of the first giveaways.' ― Iskra Full Of Compliments 'I've always found Americans to be sweet and genuine! I can especially tell when a woman is American because she'll go out of her way to give me a compliment, and it's usually thoughtful and specific. It happens multiple times a day whenever I'm traveling in the States, and I've never experienced that kind of spontaneous kindness anywhere else in the world.' ― Kelsey Heinrichs, blogger at Kelsey in London Wanting To Customize Everything 'There's a kind of customization instinct ― asking for dressing on the side, almond milk in the cappuccino, or a dinner reservation at 6 p.m. (which still feels like mid-afternoon in Portugal). I see it as a reflection of their strong sense of personal agency, the belief that services can and should adapt to you, not the other way around.' ― Pons, Saying "Like" All The Time Paramount / Via 'The overuse of the word 'like' — especially with people from LA. Sometimes you'll hear 'like' eight times in a single sentence! It's a casual, filler-filled way of speaking, and of course, there's the unmistakable clarity of American English.' ― Batista 'Saying things like 'awesome,' 'you guys,' or the ever-present filler word 'like' always catches my ear with a 99% probability I hear it from an American.' ― Iskra Limited Geographic Knowledge 'A general lack of geographical knowledge is a sure sign. Americans tend to refer to any country in Europe as 'Europe,' as if we are all the same. There is a huge difference between Norway and France; they're completely incomparable. Referring to us all under one sweeping term of 'Europe' or 'Europeans' is sort of ridiculous. I once met an American man who asked me where I was from. When I told him I was from Ireland, he said that he had just been visiting my neighbors. I assumed that he must mean the United Kingdom (which I could understand). However, he then declared that he had visited Italy. Needless to say, neither Italy nor Ireland would ever refer to the other as a neighbor. It would take 27 hours to drive from Dublin to Rome. That's the equivalent of Miami to Minneapolis. Florida and Minnesota are not neighbors.' ― Povey Cappuccino With Dinner Peeradon Warithkorasuth / Getty Images 'If someone asks for a cappuccino with pasta or pizza and also at dinner, you can be sure: They are an American tourist. It's a cultural habit that always makes us smile because for us Italians, cappuccino is a morning ritual, part of breakfast, but it's nice to see how every culture experiences food in its own way.' ― De Lorenzi, Different Portion Size Expectations 'I notice this a lot during food tours ― Americans are frequently surprised by how small European portions can be (while we are shocked when we see their portions). 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While charming, it's definitely a telltale sign that someone is from the US.' ― Povey Steves' Love Of Rick Steves Guidebooks 'In Reykjavík, I immediately pick out Americans out of the bunch because they explore the country using Rick Steves Iceland as their compass. Not Lonely Planet. Or ,odors. Or even a local source. Good 'ol American Rick Steves ― who I met in person when I was his local guide in Reykjavík and is as 'Merican as they come. I'm sure other nations use guidebooks too, but Americans carry Rick with pride. Not tucked away in their backpack, ashamed of getting caught with something as gauche as a guidebook, but loud and proud. Out in the open.' ― Auður Ösp Ólafsdóttir, Iceland-based marketing professional walked That Intangible American Vibe 'As someone who works across lifestyle and hospitality in Europe, I often find myself noticing subtle (and not-so-subtle) clues that someone is American. The most obvious is the accent, but beyond that, there's a specific energy that's easy to spot.' ― Pons 'I somehow pick Americans out of a crowd, but I can't put my finger on how. It's something about how they're built and how they're dressed ― I really can't articulate it. They're just so essentially American that their Americanness shines, even in a culture where you'd think it would be harder to pick them out. Once upon a time, I think Americans just walked around with a certain air of confidence about them. They were proudly American, and you could tell in the way they walked. Nowadays, many conversations with Americans start with apologies. Their once-proud stance has been replaced with slightly hunched shoulders. Like they're aware that tolerance for American politics is wavering around the world and they don't want to take up too much space. But it's still something about how Americans walk in the world that makes them recognizable.' ― HuffPost.
New York Post
8 hours ago
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There's a science to it. Oftentimes, as a passenger on a plane, various noises signal different things to the flight staff. Aside from the obvious seatbelt sign, passengers rarely know what communication is taking place around them – until now. While it sounds more serious than it is — the familiar double chime noise that goes off when a plane is taking off and landing is nothing of concern. The pilot, well-known on TikTok, shared the reasoning behind those random chimes. Getty Images/iStockphoto 'Those dings you hear throughout the cabin are when the pilots are climbing through or descending through 10,000 feet to significant altitude… a critical phase of flight so they double ding the flight attendants to let them know we're no longer in 'sterile'' and they can move around the aircraft, as explained by airline pilot @ in a recent TikTok video. 'Not before those double chimes and not after those double chimes when we're coming into landing,' can there be movement around the aircraft. Considering the helpful video has almost 3 million views — clearly this ding noise has piqued a lot of flyers' interest. Thankfully, this reassurance eased many anxious flyers in the comment section of the video. 'I wish you could literally talk to us the entire time; that would massively help me as an insanely nervous flyer.' Many flyers felt reassured by the pilot's explanation. Getty Images 'Every noise terrifies me, I'm constantly looking at the cabin crew to see if they look relaxed.' 'My anxiety is maxed out until I hear those first two dings and then I immediately relax. I like knowing the flight attendants are moving around and your turned on the WiFi – it gives 'we chill' vibes.' 'Thanks, explanations like this ease my flight anxiety.' This helpful pilot's TikTok account has become a go-to place for many travelers to get their flying questions answered. In another video, an inquiring mind asked what a pilot's family life is like. 'I think it's one of the best jobs because of the time you get home and the family life you can have outside. The average airline pilot works half a month…' the well-known pilot said. 'And when they're home, they're home — there are no emails to answer, there are no Zoom calls, no late-night 'Can you get this project done?''
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Rory McIlroy Shows Faith in Luke Donald Amid Ian Poulter's Ryder Cup Warning
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