Snifflers

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  • Anonymous
    Guest

    Bruegel
    Participant

    Of course my heart sinks when I find there’s a bumptious banker or a baby or a stag party in my cabin but it hits rock bottom when I’m sat beside a persistent sniffler and I know for the next several hours I will have to put up with the revolting consequence of their not being taught the purpose of a handkerchief.

    How do other travellers cope?


    MrMichael
    Participant

    MrsM had that problem once, she went to the cabin crew, got some tissue and graciously gave it to the sniffler…..me….I just turn my music up!


    GivingupBA
    Participant

    Peter, thanks for posting.

    This issue is absolutely not funny for OCD sufferers.

    I hate to sound elitist and am not trying to be funny, but in my opinion the issue is one very good reason [at least for sufferers] for making every possible effort to fly business class, in a business cabin with good separation from other passengers.*

    *Edit, I realize the germ issue will be similar in any cabin – but it won’t from the viewpoint of OCD sufferers.


    AussieJohn
    Participant

    Never mind aeroplanes. This just drives me demented anywhere, on the train, bus etc. In meetings, work colleagues, friends etc, etc.

    From a very early age, my mother would not tolerate sniffling. Use the handkerchief, and blow my nose properly – OR ELSE…..

    Trouble is people don’t use handkerchiefs any more, due to rubbish spread by tissue makers about hygiene etc. I have never had a problem. My handkerchiefs go in the wash every day.

    But also a lot of people don’t even carry tissues. They just sneeze anywhere, oblivious to others. The worst are those who then wipe their nose on their sleeve. It revolts me.

    But it won’t change, people have no manners any more.

    Get used to it.


    Gin&Tonic
    Participant

    To be honest I believe we must consider cultural differences, I have lived and worked in Asia for many years now and what I see as “not acceptable” quite honestly doesn’t matter.

    I use a handkerchief, many think blowing onto that and putting it back in your pocket for the whole day is “not acceptable”

    I was always taught to close my mouth when chewing, not here but that’s not deemed impolite.

    The list could go on, I agree when in my own UK I would find sniffers etc. annoying and impolite.


    NTarrant
    Participant

    Most annoying, just like people that sneeze into their hands. A guy that worked for me many years ago was in the next office sniffing as he had a cold. I got irritated hearing this and went in and said “did you know that if you blow your nose you will feel a lot better” he replied “I don’t like to as it will go all over my hands” “if you use a handkerchief or tissues it won’t, you will feel better and I won’t have to listen to your continuous sniffing” I replied “oh, I’d better get some toilet paper then” he said.


    Poshgirl58
    Participant

    One of my pet hates too. Have tried subtle hints like also sniffing loudly, sometimes works. Other times have been asked if I’ve got a cold!

    Had similar experience to N Tarrant, with ex-colleague doing what I call “disgusting sniffing”. I also suggested he blow his nose as it would be better for him. I had witnessed him squeezing his nose or wiping it on back of his hand. He resorted to using toilet paper but at least he got a new roll. Would have been good if he’d also emptied the office bin….


    MartynSinclair
    Participant

    My pet hate besides the ‘sniffers’ or the spitters.

    I have been known to aim an equal amount of spit back towards a spitter (on occassions… and I know it’s not nice) or just a loud ‘disgusting’ for all to hear.


    MrMichael
    Participant

    Martyn, you shock me!


    Tim2soza
    Participant

    The incessant chewing of gum and bare feet (incl in flp flops) should be added to the snifflers list!


    LuganoPirate
    Participant

    Oh dear, I don’t sniff or chew gum but I do wear Birkenstocks. May our paths never cross Tim2sms 😉


    MartynSinclair
    Participant

    @MrMichael – I shocked myself, but I am fed up of seeing people “gob ” on the street. Someone only just missed my feet at Fra hbf yesterday… I gave back as good as I took…. and yes, he tried to confront me, but quickly moved away….


    CathayLoyalist2
    Participant

    Travelling in and around Asia notably the MTR in Hong Kong there are so many snifflers they could create a carriage for them alone!. And if sniffling annoys you try remonstrating with someone who clears their throat prior to spitting. As Andy McNab the ex-SAS officer called it “clearing a grolly”. Horrible and unpleasant yes but a cultural thing in certain parts of Asia.


    DavidGordon10
    Participant

    I have been away from the forum for a while thanks to … a sniffling illness, so I think I should post here.

    Many years ago, I knew a fellow doctor who argued that blowing one’s nose was un-physiological because it forced infected material into the sinuses: he thought we should all sniff.

    He is the only person I have known who had to have a surgical procedure to drain his sinuses, so I think he was a little bit wrong…..

    I find sniffing offensive: blow your nose. The safest way to do so is into a tissue that is then put in a bin. The viruses soon die in the cold and dry atmosphere of a rubbish bin. Why do aircraft (particularly long-hall) not have better rubbish disposal facilities, particularly at or near the seat?

    I find it difficult to cope with the cultures (particularly Japan) where blowing the nose is not socially acceptable.

    Sneezes can spread viruses, but may be so sudden that there is not time to reach for a tissue. In those circumstances, sneezing into one’s elbow may be the best option.

    Coughs only spread disease if there is an infectious cause. I often have an asthmatic cough, purely allergic. There is no need to cough into a tissue, handkerchief, or your hand, if there is no risk of infection.

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