The social contract that I’ve observed since elementary school is that reclining the seat invites the person behind you to do as they please. If they don’t mind, then everyone’s happy. If they mind, it’s common courtesy to un-recline it. If they mind and you keep the seat reclined against their wishes, then their compensation is that they get to entertain themselves throughout the journey by making you as miserable as they please within the bounds of the law.
Personally, if I observed Mr. Bowman in the seat behind me, I’d bring my own seat all the way back. Public violations of the social contract need to bear consequences.
The social contract that I’ve observed since elementary school is that reclining the seat invites the person behind you to do as they please. If they don’t mind, then everyone’s happy. If they mind, it’s common courtesy to un-recline it. If they mind and you keep the seat reclined against their wishes, then their compensation is that they get to entertain themselves throughout the journey by making you as miserable as they please within the bounds of the law.
Personally, if I observed Mr. Bowman in the seat behind me, I’d bring my own seat all the way back. Public violations of the social contract need to bear consequences.