Savannah Philips made the news after her bad experience with a fellow passenger on a flight.

“Grow a thicker skin,” some might say. It may be true that thick skin can make things easier – but not everyone knows what it’s like to experience social anxiety and/or trauma. Everyone’s got experiences and battles you don’t know about, so it’s always best to watch your words.

Joking and poking fun in good faith is always fine. You’ve just got to learn when there’s a time and a place and to take accountability when you hurt someone for no good reason.

In other words, don’t be like this guy.

Generally, Savannah prefers to choose her own seats on public transport. This is due to a few insecurities regarding her size. She explains in a bit more detail :

“I always try to sit in a row where I don’t have to sit next to anyone. I’m not the biggest person on the airplane, but I’m not the smallest. My worst nightmare is someone being uncomfortable because they have to sit next to me.”

Though as bad luck would have it, her original flight was delayed and, at the last minute, she had to board an earlier flight.

This time, Savannah wasn’t able to choose her seat.

When the flight announced who she’d be sitting next to, it was a middle-aged man who looked about 60 years old. Introducing himself as a comedian, he stood up to let Savannah access her assigned seat.

The man immediately made it clear that he wasn’t friendly.

Savannah recalls that once the safety speech has played through the plane speakers, the man pulled out his phone and almost seemed to be flashing his phone towards her. According to Savannah, he had his screen’s brightness all the way up and was using a giant-sized font.

It’s almost like he wanted her to see what he was typing.

With his phone not too far away from Savannah’s face, he engaged in a text conversation with someone. He texted that he was sitting next to a “Smelly fatty” – which is not only incredibly immature but also incredibly rude.

Savannah was devastated and described feeling symptoms similar to an anxiety attack. Though it might seem like a strong response, this can be typical of someone who struggles with mental health.

In Savannah’s case, it sounds like anxiety from growing up with body image issues. Something completely understandable.

“I was shocked,” Savannah recalled. “It was like confirmation of the negative things I think about myself on a daily basis.”

“Before I knew it, I could feel hot, salty tears coming down my face. I sat and cried silently, hoping this guy didn’t try to make small talk, because I didn’t trust how I would react and I didn’t want to get kicked off the plane. “

But Savannah wasn’t the only person who saw the text message.

A passenger behind them noticed her crying, glanced at the phone in the man’s hands, and figured it all out.

The passenger was Chase Irwin, and the sight made him furious.

“I noticed her wiping tears and my heart sank,” Chase told Inside Edition

Chase wasted no time and immediately got out of his seat to confront the man.

“Hey, I need to talk to you,” Chase said as he tapped the man’s shoulder. “We are switching seats. Now.”

The man responded with a “Thank you. but why?”

So Chase clarified:

“You are a heartless human being. I read the text that you were writing, as well as she did, and now she’s crying.”

This was a very pleasant surprise to Savannah and the flight attendant that Chase had informed about the incident beforehand. Obviously, if you’re going to make a bit of a scene, it’s best to warn people first.

Not that the flight attended minded.

In fact, she thought it very noble and kind. After the little scene, she told Chase he was her hero and even offered him a few free drinks.

Savannah, however, in good spirits, said that he “wasn’t her hero, he was mine”.

Chase is our hero too.

Once Chase took out the bullies, he befriended and comforted Savannah. We all could use a friend like Chase. He and Savannah stay in touch too as very good friends.

Since little kind gestures like this are always a welcome surprise, it ended up making the news. Savannah shared the story on her Facebook and ended up being interviewed by Inside Edition as well.

Moral of the story here: Don’t be like the guy on the plane.

Hear Savannah tell the entire story in the video below!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: Inside Edition on YouTube, Savannah Philipps on Facebook, HHS