[Soulman]

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I have been brought up in a culture that considers putting the seat back rather rude

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what culture is that? why do the seatbacks in that culture recline?

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British culture. Unfortunately our seatbacks recline since the planes are American models, I'm guessing most people disagreeing with me here are American?

Just brought this up with a couple of my flatmates to make sure I haven't gone insane, they also said it was an extremely rude thing to do, but whatever.

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It's a commonly known fact the British are polite to the point of ridiculousness :P

But seriously, I wonder about this as well. The only part of the seat in front of you will occupy in the reclined position would be at the very top in front of you, a space you're not using anyway. This has been the case on every plane I can remember being on...and no, I'm not American.