Transportation

Is It Really Appropriate To Fly In Shorts?

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I don't mean to be a fashion prude.

I also love wearing shorts — when it is appropriate to wear them. 

But is it really appropriate to wear them when flying commercial?

Two fellows in the security line ahead of me this morning at the San Francisco International Airport were wearing shorts (picture below). I won't go so far as to say I was appalled by this, but I did quietly hope that I wouldn't be sitting next to them.

Why not?

Well, frankly, because I didn't relish the thought of having their sweat and leg hair smeared all over my suit. And given that we will packed into our seats together like olives in an jar, it seemed highly likely that there was going to be some leg contact.

Basically, it seemed to me that wearing shorts on a jammed commercial airliner — the epitome of a shared frustrating social experience in which everyone should be on their most polite and respectful behavior — was a bit selfish and rude.

Agree? Disagree? Lighten up, you old prude?

My future seatmates, ready for their day by the pool:

flying in shorts
Henry Blodget / Business Insider

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Henry Blodget
Henry Blodget cofounded Business Insider, then called "Silicon Alley Insider," in the loading dock of another New York-based startup in 2007. He served as Editor in Chief until 2017 and CEO until 2023. Business Insider is now owned by Axel Springer.A former top-ranked Wall Street analyst, Henry is often a guest on CNBC, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, and other networks. He has contributed to The Atlantic, Slate, The New York Times, Fortune, New York, the Financial Times, and other publications (including, of course, Business Insider!). He has written extensively about technology and investing and is the author of "The Wall Street Self-Defense Manual: A Consumer's Guide to Investing."