A beautiful day in the neighborhood?

Would you willingly sit three inches away from a stranger for two or three hours? How about eight hours? Ten? This is what happens during a plane trip when you ride coach or economy class, and it's not surprising that it inspires the best and the worst traits of humanity. Welcome to your in-flight neighborhood.

On one trip, I was stuck between two gems: a "seat warrior" who made it clear that she didn't want me anywhere near her, and a man who wanted to talk (and talk and talk and talk).

On another trip, my husband and I were stuck in the middle seats of the middle row, "bookended" by people who I not-so-affectionately called Camel Bladders. I think they could have gone for days without needing a restroom, and they were so plugged in to their technology that they couldn't hear our polite "ask" to step outside the row for a moment.

Then there is the person who requests a window seat and promptly pulls the shade and/or falls asleep...gets drunk...snores...spreads his/her legs far beyond the boundaries of the seat...brings atrocious-smelling food on board...you get the idea.

As tempting as it is to confront these people, just relax. You paid a lower fare knowing that you'd have very little space. If you're 6'6," don't be surprised when you have little legroom, and don't compensate by flinging your legs to the side.

Keep to yourself. Wear sunglasses. Feign sleep. Put in earbuds. If someone talks to you, be polite (of course) but don't run roughshod over them with endless conversation. If someone needs a helping hand with something, offer it.

In other words, be a good neighbor.