I'm not a little guy, and I've flown on just about every kind of commercial aircraft imaginable over the past 50 years, but I've never been on an airplane where a reclined seat in front of me was so close that it was "pushed into my face." I guess some people must have huge faces.

At feeding time when you have to lean forward to keep from dribbling the slop onto your clothing, a reclined seat in front of you can become something of an irritant. Otherwise, I've never found it to be a big deal.

Topman, the vast majority of us we don't have the luxury to *decide* whether or not not to pay for Business or First Class.

Personally I can't recline my seat as I have a bad back and reclining is bad for it. So if the person in front of me reclines theirs, it leaves me with very restricted space.

I agree with Joelle; although it's a nice idea to ask, it doesn't really help as the person asked may feel they have to say yes to be polite.