So, basically, you are saying that we DO owe people an explanation.
Does that mean that the person asking for the seat also has to explain why they need the seat? Do they need to explain why they didn't end up with seats together?
You say to "put yourself in other's shoes" - How about people putting themselves in the shoes of the person being asked to move (and, according to you) being rude if they don't provide a full explanation as to why they don't want to move? Wouldn't accepting a "no" make the world a much friendly place? Why is it up the person being asked to move to make the world a friendlier place?
You say "treat people the way you'd like to be treated" - wouldn't you like to be treated as if your choice not to move doesn't require an in-depth explanation?
For all that you SAY that "it goes both ways", all of your comments show that your attitude is the exact opposite.
Yup. I think if we all start living with equality on our mind instead of superiority and entitlement it will be better. Would I give up a seat if I could. Probably, and have. However, I did not for the mom and dad I heard talking before the AirTran flight. Their DD's were 10 and 12. Dad was yelling at mom for not paying for the seats like he told her to. Mom was yelling back saying she didn't want to pay the money that other people would have to move for them so their children can sit next to them. Nobody ended up moving their seats. The children were just fine. Another AirTran flight a man and a woman were sitting in the seats directly in front of me. Another man came by and said the man was in his seat. The guy said, "I know but it wasn't available when I booked the flight and I want to sit next to my wife so you need to find another seat." Luckily, the man was very nice; a single business traveller and the available seat ended up being quite a bit further near the front of the plane so he gladly took it. I just thought it was a rotten thing for the guy to just sit there when he knew it wasn't his seat.