With the plan in mind, I discreetly retrieved the bottle from my bag and waited for the right moment. When the cabin lights dimmed and passengers began settling in with their books and headphones, I slowly twisted open the bottle and let the scent waft around our seats. The fragrance was potent, as I had hoped, and I noticed the woman’s immediate reaction. She wrinkled her nose and shifted uncomfortably, glancing around as if trying to pinpoint the source of the smell.

I kept my composure, pretending to be engrossed in a magazine as I resealed the bottle. A few minutes later, when her feet crept back up onto my husband’s seat, I repeated the process. This time, her discomfort was more noticeable, and she exchanged whispered complaints with her friend. I saw her glance at me, trying to assess whether I was aware of the situation, but I maintained an air of innocence.

Finally, after a few rounds of this aromatic assault, the woman relented. She pulled her feet back, and I watched with satisfaction as she reluctantly tucked them onto the floor. I felt a sense of triumph, not just because her feet were no longer an annoyance, but because I had managed to stand up for my husband and myself in a clever, non-confrontational way.

The rest of the flight passed peacefully, and as we disembarked, I noticed the woman eyeing me with a mix of irritation and grudging respect. I hoped she had learned a small lesson in courtesy and self-awareness. As for me, I had discovered the power of creativity in tackling everyday rudeness, a lesson I would carry with me on future journeys.