Steve Collins, an Australian broadcaster who runs the blog Grumpy's Getaway Guide, argues that he shouldn't have to put up with passengers who lean back and invade his personal space.

CNN: Air rage: Is reclining your seat a right?

With long candles, "you tend to lean back and you project your voice more, " he added.

WSJ: Pop-Ups Are Taking Over the Kitchen

Ali would lean back on the ring ropes, cover his face with his forearms and let his opponent wear himself out in a flurry of punches.

CNN: From Charles Bierbauer

Each house was set off on a knoll or well back from the street, with stands of lean trees dividing the properties just the sort of old establishment solidity that suited me.

NEWYORKER: Wakefield

Tablets are lean-back, browse-oriented experiences, and often used in conjunction with other media.

FORBES: Mobile Marketing: Reaching The Untethered Consumer

Then you could just lean back and wait for the masses to dial in, sticking them with hourly access charges.

FORBES: Mom-and-pop Internet

On the other hand, when you say or do things your customers disagree with or are uncertain about, the more they will tend to lean back and create more space between the two of you.

FORBES: Body Language Savvy for Sales