The shame game

In at least one country I know*, it’s illegal to post a picture of a person on social media unless you have first sought and obtained their permission.
But the web is a wild place, and there are any number of sites dedicated to pictures taken in unguarded moments.

One of them passengershaming.com (it redirects to a Facebook page) may claim to be doing the travelling public a service — by “outing” people who apparently don’t know how to behave on aircraft.

The picture above was accompanied by comments such as “we’re not asking for you to wear a suit — but …”; “Hope he at least remembered deodorant.”; “Just a complete shirt that covers your ribs would be nice”; and “too bad they don’t have signs at the gate: ‘must be properly dressed to board this aircraft which includes no showing of belly buttons, nipples or butt cheeks/cracks and shoes must remain on at all times’!”

Another noted: ” I hate it when people show up in their sleep wear … I’m like, ‘People! get up early, take a shower and get dress in real cloths ! have some self respect for yourself’.”

To be fair, some people were on this passenger’s side. One said: “Meh he paid for his ticket , let him dress how he wants , if you have a problem … get a first class seat.” Another asked: “did he smell? did he behave inappropriate? was he loud? no? don’t like what you see? look the other way or get a private jet.”

Other posts on the page concern a child who was allowed to play with the call button, again and again and again; sweaty passengers; a dirty nappy (diaper) in the lavatory sink; the feet of a sleeping person blocking the aisle; and a passenger clipping her fingernails.

* That would be the UAE.