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Soliciting after-the-fact advice on how I should have handled a social dilemma.

Recently went to a reserved-seating event and ended up without a companion at the last minute, so I had an empty seat (which I had paid for) between me and the lady at the end of the row. After the show was underway, a woman -- apparently a friend to the lady on the end -- plopped down in the empty seat.

That didn't really bother me, since I didn't need an empty seat. However, the woman's perfume was so overpowering that I felt less than comfortable for the rest of the evening. I didn't want to be rude and tell her to move, but I also didn't want to inhale her artificial scent for the next 90 minutes. What to do?
I just suffered in silence. The show was enjoyable, but I would have been a lot more comfortable with an empty seat. Anybody got advice on how to gracefully handle the situation without coming across as a selfish cranky old man?

RedRiverRogue 5 Aug 27
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3 comments

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0

I would have said, "I'm sorry, but I've paid for and reserved this seat. Please find another one." If she tried to argue I'd just say I was allergic to her perfume, so please leave.

But most men are very passive with women, so I'm not surprised you suffered in silence.

1

Offer the perfumed lady to swap seats with her as the one towards the center was a better seat . Then perhaps go to the lady on the other side of her and offer to swap seats with her as well as a more centralized seat was better for her as well ?

2

I think that is a tough one. I have allergies and that would have really bothered me. No advice but definitely sympathy.

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