So this happened a few years ago, while I lived in Asia. At the time I often flew on business trips with my wife, but because of our limited budget we always flew economy class. While economy class in Europe and the US might be infamous for the lack of leg room, they have taken it to the next level in Asia. I'm a relatively tall guy (193 cm) and squeezing into the seats I feel like Gulliver in Lilliputland.

Well this one time I had just squeezed into my seat next to my wife when this group of Malaysian men sat in front of me. As soon as the plane had left the ground, the guy in front of me put his seat back as far as possible which left me in a very uncomfortable position. I tapped him on his shoulder and politely asked if it would be possible to put his seat back up, as I couldn't fit in my seat. He just replied: "No!" and turned back to his friends.

I contacted one of the flight attendants and told her about the situation. She told me that she wasn't allowed to tell the guy to put his seat back up, but she could offer me another seat which I gladly accepted. When I stood up I noticed that the seat in front of my Malaysian friend was available. For the next two hours I sat in front of him and put my seat back... Then up... Back... Up.... All the while hearing his heavy breathing and gasps of pain as my seat hit his knees. And there was absolutely nothing he could do about it. When we landed I turned around and smiled to him, and was met with a bright red face of pure anger.