in a way that would hopefully make her rethink her actions. I had a few hours of flight time to ponder my options, and I was determined to find a way to express my frustration without causing a scene or making things uncomfortable for other passengers.

I considered a variety of approaches. Passive-aggressive notes were one idea, but they seemed too cliché and easy to dismiss. I thought about asking other passengers for their opinions, hoping to build a coalition of support, but I didn’t want to disturb anyone else’s flight experience. As I mulled over my options, I realized that I wanted to do something that would subtly highlight her rudeness and inconvenience her without direct confrontation.

The answer came to me when I remembered I had packed a small bottle of lavender essential oil in my carry-on. I use lavender oil for relaxing and calming purposes, but it also has a rather strong scent. My plan was simple: I would occasionally open the bottle and wave it near the woman’s feet, allowing the strong aroma to permeate the air around her. My hope was that the fragrance would be bothersome enough to make her reconsider her seating arrangement without causing too much distress.

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.