I started my trip in ARN and around 7 a.m. I had a private bed in the lounge quiet zone. It was a nice setup and I was looking forward to relaxing. A woman a few beds away began taking phone calls. I initially ignored it because I didn’t want to create tension that early in the morning, and I assumed it might just be a one-time thing.
A little later I returned to my area and she started another phone conversation. Since it was a designated quiet zone, I walked over and politely gestured as a reminder that people were expected to keep the area quiet.
I went back to my bed, but shortly afterward she came over and confronted me. She claimed I hadn’t said anything to a man who had supposedly also been using his phone and accused me of singling her out. The discussion shifted away from the actual issue and became about gender rather than the quiet-zone rules.
I calmly explained that I hadn’t heard anyone else speaking, but if I had, I would have addressed them as well. For me, the issue had nothing to do with who was breaking the rule and everything to do with respecting the shared space. She was extremely upset and the conversation became unproductive.
I eventually asked lounge staff for assistance, and they spoke with her. About 30 minutes later I left for my flight and apologized to the staff for involving them in the situation, although I felt my alternatives were either doing nothing or risking a larger confrontation.
I’m curious how others would handle something like this. Did I approach it poorly, or would you have done something differently? It really put a damper on the lounge experience.
On a more positive note, the staff in both lounges were excellent. Special recognition to the barista in CPH who was fantastic.
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