Battle of the sexes erupts over this unassuming photo with some praising the woman for calling out the ‘entitled’ male trait and others labelling her ‘Qantas Karen’ – so whose side are you on?
- Male passenger was punched for using both armrests
- Photo causes heated discussions
- READ MORE: DJ’s mid-air tantrum
A complaint about a male airline passenger using the armrests on either side of him has sparked a heated debate about ‘male privilege’ and etiquette in the air.
Publishing identity Louise Adler posted an image from an airplane window seat of the man sitting in the middle of the row with his elbows on both armrests as he looks at his phone.
“Asking for a Friend: Why Do Men Assume They’re Entitled to Two Armrests?” Ms. Adler wrote on social media platform X.
Ms Adler’s post provoked a flood of responses from like-minded female travelers who had observed the same behaviour, but some hit back, calling her a ‘Qantas Karen’.
This tweet, posted by identity publicist Louise Adler, has sparked debate about the man who used both armrests
“I paid close attention,” someone replied.
Another added: ‘When I sit next to a man this almost always happens (plus it takes up my leg space), when I travel with my husband and he sits next to another man it never happens to him.
“They know how to respect each other’s space, but not women’s.”
A third commented: ‘Presumably for the same reason they feel entitled to spread their legs on the train taking up half the legroom of the next seat?’
However, many others hit back and called it a non-issue.
“Is your name really Karen?” someone asked.
Another said with heavy sarcasm: “I hope you got help after this horrific ordeal. Thoughts and prayers.”
A third wrote: ‘Crushing the world’s problems one tweet at a time.’
Some objected to the accusation that it was a specifically male trait.
‘I’ve seen women and men use two armrests. Children too. I hope this puts your stereotype to rest,” one person said.
A number of travelers felt that the person in the middle seat was entitled to both armrests.
‘In the words of the Australian comedian Jim Jeffries: Window gets an armrest and a wall, center gets two armrests, aisle gets an armrest and an extra leg.
“We’re not fucking animals. We live in a society.’
One person thought the armrests were up for grabs.
“What’s the etiquette?” the wrote.
Louise Aldler received some support for her complaint, but many others disputed that it was a male trait or an inappropriate act
“I think it’s the first in the best dressed. So either he pushed your arm off, or he beat you to it. Simple as that!
“Oh wait, you think he has to offer it to you because you’re a woman?”