So I (early 20s m) am traveling for work this week and was on a 3 hour flight sitting next to this older white guy, probably in his 50s. For context, I’m Asian, and I was wearing a black KN95 mask just because I had a sore throat and didn’t want to get sick before a big presentation.
Right after I sat down, this guy looked at me and said something like, “Still wearing those things, huh?” I just awkwardly laughed it off and didn’t respond because I didn’t feel like having that conversation.
About 20 minutes into the flight, he straight up asked, “You sick or just paranoid?” I told him, “Just being cautious, I’m traveling for work.” He rolled his eyes and said, “You know they don’t even work, right?” At this point I was already annoyed, but I just put in my AirPods and ignored him.
Later on, a flight attendant came by offering snacks and I said no thank you. The guy goes, “You know you can take it off to eat, right? You’re not going to die.” I didn’t even answer him that time.
I told my friend about it when I landed and she said I probably came off rude by not answering and making the situation more tense. But I honestly didn’t think I was obligated to justify wearing a mask or make small talk with some dude who clearly didn’t respect my decision.
I wasn’t trying to make a statement, I just didn’t want to get sick. I didn’t say anything rude or confrontational, I just didn’t want to engage. But now I’m wondering if I was kind of an asshole for being cold and passive aggressive.
AITA?
Comments
NTA, that guy was just being a booty head
NTA you weren’t rude because you didn’t need to justify anything at all, and you still gave a polite answer at first. Idk why your friend would even insinuate you were the issue
Your body, your rules. You get to decide how something makes you feel. No one else. If you’re uncomfortable with it you have every right to say so. Maybe let him know next time, offer a hug instead maybe?
Your body your rules. If someone’s that pressed about fabric on a stranger’s face maybe they should worry more about why they care so much. Planes are germ tubes anyway id be wearing a hazmat suit if i could.
>she said I probably came off rude
Your friend is annoying af.
NTA
He was the rude one.
NTA why do you owe a stranger anything?
NTA if you want to wear a mask wear one. If you don’t want to wear it don’t. You also don’t need to justify your decision to strangers. Especially know it all AH’s who think it’s there job to educate you.
NTA. Sometimes I’m tempted to wear a mask too when a lot of things are going around. Especially on a plane. Even though I know they’re proven to not make much of a difference
Completely NTA, but you need to accept that there are idiots who are gonna idiot.
NTA. It sounds like you sat next to my dad! 😆👍 the old crusty white guys are easy to make feel uncomfortable for no good reason. Just keep ignoring them and you do you Boo!
Thank you for making and good choice and making sure everyone around you on the plane was safe for any potential infections
I personally don’t wear a mask since it’s no longer mandated but I’d never question another person for doing so. It’s not my business. They’re a myriad of reasons why people do and it’s really not my business. I’m sorry that happened to you.
Sorry, I’m just trying to hide the physical deformity that makes me unable to engage with hemorrhoidal busybodies without spitting on them. I could take the mask off, but then I’d be spitting on you.
Honestly, if wearing a mask is the worst thing he has to deal with on a flight, he should count his blessings! I mean, have you seen the in-flight snacks? That’s the real danger here.
Should have told him to tell his doctors not to wear them if he ever has surgery, since they don’t work.
NTA. He was in no way inconvenienced by you wearing a mask. And if you had a sore throat, you could have had something alreasy. You were protecting him.
NTA. That guy is in the red hat crowd. They are triggered by the strangest things.
He’s such an asshole why would you even waste energy being polite. No you were not rude, your friend is a wimp.
Next time say “Only snowflakes get triggered by masks”.
That Guy and your friend are TA.
I always wear a mask when I’m travelling. I don’t trust people. They’re gross.
NTA but maybe next time you can say “Oh I’m really wearing it for your protection, I have a rare, highly contagious form of airborne syphillis, incurable unfortunately, but if you’re good with me taking it off…”
No need to be kind to science deniers. They’re digging their own grave and they’ll learn the hard way. Try not to let MAGAts bother you
Should have taken it off and coughed in his face then put it back on and said you were sick
This situation is when I tell the busybody that I only have a year to live, but if I wear a mask, I might live up to 5 years. Long enough to see my daughter marry.
*As I’m saying this, my voice breaks, and tears fill my eyes.
😆
NTA
My friend wears a mask and she said she gets people harassing her sometimes
She says she tells them she wears it cuz her mom has cancer and she doesn’t want to get her mom sick.
She said that people shut up after that
NTA- your friend is an idiot. The only people I judge wearing mask are those driving in a car, alone, in said mask but even then it’s not even a big deal. I’ve literally never had a reaction to someone wearing a mask even before COVID because it isn’t my damn business
NTA. You weren’t rude—you were just trying to keep to yourself and stay healthy. The guy next to you was out of line with his unsolicited comments, and you’re not obligated to justify your choice to wear a mask or entertain his jabs. Ignoring him after politely responding once was a reasonable way to avoid escalating things. Your friend might think you came off tense, but you don’t owe a stranger a debate or small talk, especially when they’re being disrespectful. You handled it fine.
Is this real? I doubt this is real because why in the world would you feel any sort of responsability for that moron?
Should have taken it off and started coughing
You should have told him that he’d be prettier if he smiled.
You’re not an asshole, but your reason for wearing the mask is questionable. You’re already sick with a sore throat, the mask isn’t going to stop that illness from progressing. Your neighbor is an asshole though.
These days it’s seems the only people wearing masks work for ICE.
You are in the right. Should have told him you’re sensitive to his bad breath
NTA for sure. You should have fun next time though. Dead eye serious look at them and whisper you have tuberculosis or Ebola or something. Deny it and laugh when he tries to tell on you.
I feel like such an idiot
I thought you had on an exfoliating face mask the entire time 🤣
You did nothing wrong.
He’s probably anti vax and doesn’t believe in science.
You are NTA
Some Americans have no idea that Asian countries have been using masks since well before Covid hit. They don’t know how successful these countries have been at not spreading colds and flush by simply wearing a mask if your sick or vulnerable.
He was as ignorant as he was arrogant to speak to you that way. Just be glad you are more informed and willing to learn new things than he is. That’s all you can do.
You could have tried to inform him, but he wouldn’t hear you. He only respects his own opinion. So you disengaged. I find that to be the easier path!
NTA. Honestly, I thought you were talking about a skin care mask from the title. I would’ve said it’s a little silly looking, but you do you. HOWEVER, it’s a KN95 (or close) mask… you don’t feel good and don’t want to take any unnecessary risks, and as someone with medical issues, I respect that!!!
ALSO, it’s none of his business. If it had been me, I would’ve just said, “Yes.” to the “You’re still wearing those comments.” in the most deadpan Aubrey Plaza voice I could, and proceed to pretend he didn’t exist the rest of the flight.
😷
Repeat for the obligatory “friend” that says you’re rude. 😆
I always wear a mask when I fly now. The last time I didn’t was at the end of Covid’s main period, 2022, during an 8 hour flight from Europe. Sure enough, I came down with Covid the day after I got home. Now if anyone makes a comment I tell them that I’m sick and wearing the mask for their protection and that shuts them up. Your seatmate sounds like a real prick.
My wife and I are both older, we wear masks inside of planes when traveling, my wife is very susceptible to respiratory infections, and I keep my mask on to support her, if I were to get sick, it would get her sick also. One time I did have someone try to shame or guilt me for wearing a mask, I told him I was recovering from the flu, wanted to make sure I didn’t get anyone sick, that shut them up.
I was going to say you should’ve told him that you had tuberculosis, but then I realized that he probably wouldn’t even know what that was. Anyway, not the asshole
I get asked all the time “Why are you STILL wearing a mask?”. I several autoimmune disorders and even a cold can get me very very sick. So i take precautions. What i don’t understand is why everyone is so hung up on belittling people with masks? I mean, how is it hurting them?
Man fuck that guy. Thank you for being responsible and wearing one – from a person who picks up every freaking respiratory virus going around
NTA and people still wear it not because of COVID anymore but the benefits of not breathing the same air those As transpire.
You might find it useful to take some vitamin C and something else more like propolis and honey. A friend had to travel a lot to publish his thesis article and someone actually told him to still wear alcohol to clean his hands clean because of nasty germs on airplanes. He carries those tiny napkins that are 70% alcohol and are disposable. He said it made a huge difference.
And in my class some also use a light mask because of the air conditioning.
I also would like to warn that N95 is definitely the best but you also need to change it after an amount of hours. I encourage you to also try those little alcohol tissues. Little square. It is sold in pharmacies in packs of 100 or more. I know because I also got it saved in a few pockets here and there.
Plus and last: update your vaccines and be updated on the news. What was the last issue? Measles? But a very limited place doesn’t mean you are safe. Take a look at your vaccines and in doubt ask a doctor to keep you updated with a card.
You can do what you want. Fuck that guy.
Sadly, my smart ass would have taken off my masked and coughed in his face and put it back on just as fast. HA
NTA – And you still wouldn’t be the A if you said “It’s really none of your business sir. Please stop talking to me.”
Next time say to someone, “Please stay in your own lane. What I wear is none of your concern.”
Or you could be ruder and quote the US’ recent VP candidate, “Mind your own damn business.”
NTA
fuck that guy
NTA.
Not his place to comment.
And btw I still see Alot of people wearing masks especially service workers.
All my doctors even require it in the office still if you say yes to a scratchy throat.
People need to stop policing people.
NTA. He is. The audacity of him to continue to bring it up.
No dude. Don’t ever question not entertaining some jackass’s bs. You’re not shitty for ignoring someone who was being rude to you
You might know if you’re Asian, that a mask is also a way to allow yourself time without having to care about your facial expressions or how you present to others. I think it was in South Korea that they have a ‘ Mask Day’, and even decorated, full face masks are OK.
You can just say that it is for privacy.
You should’ve pulled your mask down got right in his face and go “yeah I’m really contagious right now”
You need wiser friends.
I get this occasionally and I usually ask how it affects them and then stop talking. Some bluster on about how ineffective they are and sometimes I tell them I’ve never had Covid. Sometimes I just say “bless your uneducated heart”
NTA – You don’t owe him an explanation, an answer or an apology. He’s an asshole.
It is nobody’s business why a person wears a mask. You are wise to take extra precautions to avoid all the crap going around.
Bro, if you already have a sore throat, that mask ain’t gonna help you.
NTA. Your friend saying you probably came off rude is just ridiculous. The dude’s question in the first place was rude. You don’t owe him an explanation & whatever your answer would’ve been, it wouldn’t have made a difference because a person like that would probably debate you till they’re blue in the face anyways.
NTAH. Idk what airline you were on but I know past few flights I’ve been on they’ve said during the safety presentation “while we don’t require masks anymore, you are more than free to wear one at your own discresion, as it is your right to do what you feel safest doing while being respected by our staff and other passengers. Should this be an issue do not hesitate to contact one of our flight attendants.”
Opinions are like assholes, everyone has them and most of them stink.
NTA. You were already sick so the mask wont help but you were good to wear it to protect others. You also dont need to talk to strangers and having headphones in showed you werent there for a friendly chat
NTA. “I’m wearing it because I can smell your dirty asshole sitting beside me. Not big on butt hygiene?” is the proper answer, for next time.
>I probably came off rude by not answering and making the situation more tense.
It’s not your job to appease an asshole just because you’re stuck next to him for the duration of a flight.
I would have attempted to traumatize him back — “I just had a bone marrow transfusion, my immune system is dead, and even a cold will kill me. Sorry if that bothers you.”
Or, “Did you know that Black Death is still a thing? I didn’t, until I got diagnosed yesterday. So weird! Anyway, my doctor wants me to wear this stupid mask so I don’t infect anyone else. But if you don’t care…”
You should have said you wear that so you don’t have to smell the bad breath of the passengers seated next to you.
That guy was a jackass. My sister wears a mask when she is on a flight – I don’t. Guess what – it doesn’t bother me at all. I hate that it is still such a trigger issue. You were polite – don’t lose any sleep over this.
Maga’s can’t help themselves.
Fuck that guy.
Stay in your lane bro is what needed to be said along with mind yo business
NTA you already answered, several times.
Your friend is also TA.
NTA I don’t know why people can’t mind their own business when it comes to face masks… it’s not hurting them, it’s not in their face so why they can’t just shut up
I mean to each his own. Those things really don’t do much. Goodluck. I’d say keep your chin up. It’ll happen again.
NTA. The worst thing to come out of the pandemic was them trying to convince people not to hoard masks so they could go to 1st responders.
I just tell people I’m protecting them. They tend to move away from me
I’m malicious and would’ve started coughing all over him
>Right after I sat down, this guy looked at me and said something like, “Still wearing those things, huh?” I just awkwardly laughed it off and didn’t respond because I didn’t feel like having that conversation.
>About 20 minutes into the flight, he straight up asked, “You sick or just paranoid?” I told him, “Just being cautious, I’m traveling for work.” He rolled his eyes and said, “You know they don’t even work, right?” At this point I was already annoyed, but I just put in my AirPods and ignored him.
I’m sorry the airline seated you next to a MAGA cult a-hole. Your response was more than acceptable. You could have just told him to f#ck off, like I would have.
>Later on, a flight attendant came by offering snacks and I said no thank you. The guy goes, “You know you can take it off to eat, right? You’re not going to die.” I didn’t even answer him that time.
Again, your composure and lack of a response is to be commended. Grey rock engaged! You are so much better than me.My response (and, I’m an old lady) would have been to ask him, “What part of f#ck off didn’t you understand?”
>I told my friend about it when I landed and she said I probably came off rude by not answering and making the situation more tense. But I honestly didn’t think I was obligated to justify wearing a mask or make small talk with some dude who clearly didn’t respect my decision.
The only rude persons in this scenario are the guy who was sitting next to you and your supposed “friend” suggesting you should have been nicer to the a-hole.
>AITA?
NTA, and please stop second-guessing yourself. You did fine.
NTA
Ironically he probably went on a rant about it on FB and then posted some other talking point about freedom of choice with the irony going right over his head. I wouldn’t worry too much about opinions of people like that 🤷♂️
Next time “yes, I’m sick. I have covid” and watch them panic.
NTA that guy should have minded his own business, he’s TA.
NTA
Airplanes are just flying petri dishes. This year, we have had a nasty flu season. That was the last thing you would need on a business trip.
NTA. I get immense satisfaction when I get to respond to people like him…”I’m caring for my mother and her oncologist insists I wear it.”
NTA. You’re not even obligated to acknowledge strange people on airplanes. Your reason for wearing a mask is honestly none of his business.
Next time, tell the lad he is right, take it off and start coughing. Bonus points if you can spit up some flem.
I wouldn’t even have laughed it off with him. He sounds like a crusty closed minded cunt and you don’t have to pretend to be nice to those people.
NTA you’re allowed to tell people to fuck off and shut up and then ignore them.
Would you be TA for not taking off any other inoffensive article of clothing someone was being an asshole about?
NTAH. None of his business. You answered politely once. You are not required to keep justifying yourself.
It’s a personal choice to protect your health, especially in enclosed, crowded spaces like an airplane. Or just tell the inquirer you are receiving chemo and are immuno -compromised , so thanks for understanding.
Why would that make you an AH? Do you
I think those masks are silly but it’s also none of his business.
Rude person is rude to you and your friend is concerned you were rude in response to his rudeness?
That’s weird.
Some people absolutely flip out when they see someone wearing a mask; it’s as if they’re afraid mask-wearing will somehow bring the pandemic back.
NTA
It was none of his damn business whether you were wearing a mask or not. It did not affect him in any way. I wish you and your sore throat took your mask off and coughed on him.
NTA. You could have asked the stewardess if there was another seat available. He was the AH in this situation big time.
No need to justify yourself to nosy, ignorant assholes.
NTA. We are still in a global pandemic, and scientific evidence shows that a well fitted N95/KN95/equivalent mask is very effective at stopping the spread of COVID and other airborne communicable diseases such as influenza. It’s not your fault that guy got sucked in by stupid conspiracy theories online. He was TA for bothering you about it in the first place and then persevering. You wearing a mask literally doesn’t affect his life in any way, and in fact has a positive effect because it is protective for him by preventing you spreading airborne illness.
Me and a group of coworkers were attending a conference states away. Some of us flew with airline A others with airline B. We all meet up at the conference, had meals together and stayed in the same hotel. All of us on Airline A got sick, no one on Airline B did. It took me close to a month to stop having symptoms. I’ll never fly without a mask again. Your health is your business, ignore anyone who says otherwise, NTA
Eh. I might judge you a little if you’re wearing a mask still, however I’ll mind my own business and won’t bother you for it.
He’s rude for mentioning it.