A 35-year-old marketing consultant, on her way to a major conference, boarded a flight from New York to Los Angeles. With a tight connection to San Diego ahead, her schedule was meticulously planned. This was no ordinary trip—it was an opportunity to further her career and network with key industry leaders. Settling into her seat, she anticipated a smooth journey. Little did she know, her flight would become an unexpected lesson in entitlement and karma.

The man seated beside her was sharply dressed in a tailored suit, a pristine image of someone who valued appearances. He barely acknowledged her, preoccupied with checking his luxury watch. The consultant observed his detached demeanor but chose to focus on her own plans, brushing off his lack of courtesy as unimportant.

As the plane took off, she opened her laptop to review her presentation, eager to use the long flight productively. When the in-flight meal service began, she was glad she had pre-ordered a special meal due to her dietary restrictions. It was a small but crucial detail she had planned ahead to ensure she could stay focused and nourished during her travel.

The flight attendant arrived and placed the tray on her fold-out table. Just as she reached for her fork, the man beside her acted as if the meal was his. Without so much as a glance her way, he grabbed the tray and began eating, completely ignoring her. For a moment, she was too stunned to react. Surely, this must have been a misunderstanding.

Summoning her composure, she addressed him politely. “Excuse me, I believe that’s my meal,” she said, her voice calm but firm. The man, barely looking up, responded with a dismissive tone, “No, I think this is mine. I ordered it.” His arrogance was unmistakable, and his refusal to even consider that he might be mistaken was infuriating.

The flight attendant, who had overheard the exchange, quickly stepped in to clarify. She confirmed that the meal was indeed meant for the consultant. Instead of apologizing, the man waved her off dismissively and said, “Just bring her another one.” His entitlement and lack of regard for the situation left everyone around him in disbelief.

Unfortunately, the airline did not have another meal that matched the consultant’s dietary requirements. The flight attendant apologized sincerely and offered her a voucher as compensation, but the consultant could only sigh and let the matter go. Despite her frustration, she decided not to let the incident distract her from her work.

Meanwhile, the man continued his entitled behavior throughout the flight. He frequently summoned the flight attendants, demanding drinks and snacks as though their sole purpose was to cater to him. His attitude didn’t go unnoticed by the other passengers, many of whom exchanged glances of silent disapproval.

As the plane prepared to land, karma decided it was time to intervene. During the descent, the man was engrossed in his phone, ignoring repeated instructions to turn off electronic devices. In his carelessness, he knocked over a drink onto his lap. The cold liquid soaked through his expensive trousers, leaving him flustered and scrambling for napkins.

The consultant, watching the scene unfold, couldn’t help but feel a sense of poetic justice. While she didn’t outwardly react, there was a quiet satisfaction in seeing him face the consequences of his behavior. It wasn’t just about the spilled drink—it was a symbolic moment that highlighted the flaws in his attitude.

When the plane landed, their paths diverged. The consultant, ever organized, gathered her belongings efficiently and made her way to her connecting flight with time to spare. The man, however, faced delays. A dispute over his carry-on luggage at the gate added to his already frazzled state.

Reflecting on the flight, the consultant found herself thinking about how entitlement and rudeness often create unnecessary problems. While she maintained her professionalism and chose to focus on her goals, the man’s behavior had only brought him embarrassment and frustration.

This experience reinforced a universal truth: how we treat others matters. Arrogance and selfishness might offer temporary gains, but they often lead to unforeseen consequences. In contrast, humility and respect pave the way for smoother interactions and better outcomes.

The consultant’s journey was a testament to staying composed and focused, even in the face of rudeness. And as for the man who ate her meal? He served as a reminder that karma has a way of leveling the playing field—even at 35,000 feet.