It doesn’t matter where you are, your live Instagram entertainment is always a scroll away. Providing a window of opportunities for its users, Instagram has been making waves since its debut in October 2010, and its thriving popularity is evident across the globe.

For many Instagram addicts alike, it didn’t happen if you didn’t Instagram it. Here is a fun checklist to identify if you have subconsciously evolved into an Instagram addict.

#1 HIP TO BE SQUARE

Using your mobile phone, you shoot photos in a square frame, making them photo-ready to be shared on Instagram. Even when you capture a photo using a camera, a nagging thought at the back of your mind prompts you to frame a photo and its subject(s) that will look ideal after a squarish crop. The idea of casual photography very much revolves around a square frame.

#2 GOING THE EXTRA MILE

You will do anything to achieve the perfect angle. You have no qualms about removing cutlery from a table, standing on a chair for a vantage point of view, requesting to be seated in a brighter spot at a restaurant or trekking on muddy trail to name a few.

There is no wrong in priding yourself on a good snapshot, but there is certainly no logic in forsaking social etiquettes or being a fuss pot with a list of demands to be met. Suffice to say, our folks knew best whenever they reminded us to “eat while the food is hot”. You might not mind tucking into a bowl of lukewarm lobster bisque, but your friend may think otherwise.

#3 INSTA OCD

Arranging your photo subjects in an orderly fashion is one of the many amusing things that happens behind the scenes. In short, you subscribe to the notion of an organised mess. As oxymoronic as the idea might come across, there is actually a huge following for this trend, based on the increasing number of photos that feature a mishmash of #ootd items or #foodie treats – arranged and styled meticulously to fit nicely into a single frame. There is even a term for this photo-styling trend: Flatlay.

#4 MORE IS LESS

You devote a lot of leisure time and effort to choose the best filter that will make that lone pimple on your face less obvious, or draw attention away from the photo bombers in the background of a photo. If you have a staggering collection of photo-editing applications in your phone but have not found time to explore all of them, you are definitely not alone. Do you remember when was the last occasion you used an Instagram filter?

#5 THE ART OF ANONYMITY

You feel uneasy when you have no access to Instagram because it has become a platform for you to pry into the lives of your friends – both virtual and real-life – and receive live updates without gaining an undesirable reputation as a stalker or a busybody.

Knowing what your friends had for lunch is now part of your daily routine. You feel somewhat smug, while empowered with frivolous knowledge that you’ve gained from your personal inferences, merely from insta-hopping across numerous profiles.

#6 FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT

Although you are not a sweet-toothed person, you know that a beautiful slice of rainbow cake will garner more likes than a classic chocolate fudge cake. Also, pairing it with a caffeine fix that features a fanciful coffee art is the icing to the cake. If you achieve a greater sense of satisfaction from amassing virtual likes than pleasuring your taste buds, you are taking Instagram a tad too seriously.

#7 NUMBERS DON’T LIE

Do you find yourself checking your phone every other minute to find out how many likes you’ve collected with a recent upload, or constantly refreshing your feed for new photo updates?

Other telling signs include deleting photos that have failed to garner a desired amount of likes and maintaining a small following to followers ratio. If the number of likes on your photo hits a double-digit figure, your day is made. If you allow the number of likes to stroke your ego and feed your addiction, you might be taking Instagram a tad too seriously.

#8 THE #HASHTAG EFFECT

When your hash-tagging game is so strong that it requires more time to complete reading your hash tags than the photo caption itself, you might be flouting the “rules”. Hash-tagging was never intended as a tactic to gain likes and followers until Instagram users made it so.

What was meant to forge a closer community among people with shared interests is now used as a means of gaining popularity and flaunting big labels. On the same note, hash-tagging is still a brilliant idea to discover likeminded users who adore a perfectly #poachedeggs for brunch, or share your excitement for #SG50.

#9 WORD FOR WORD

Bearing in mind that hash-tagging can be fun or annoying, it makes a world of difference when you #nofilter on a photo of a breathtaking view or your naked face. The former is used when you want others to know that they’re viewing the raw, unfiltered beauty of Mother Nature, while the latter just makes you appear like a humble braggart. Your words hold value like your images, so it is wise to review them before they go viral.

#10 BLURRED LINES

When you have trouble detaching yourself from Instagram at a work meeting or in a lecture hall, you might need to reevaluate your overly-attached relationship with Instagram. It is a cause for concern if you are unable to be present in a moment when life is happening. Was life before Instagram any less fulfilling?

Also, when you constantly bring your virtual thoughts offline, you might be stepping on the toes of many peers – especially those who are uninterested in Instagram. It will be considerate to spare a thought for your peers who are not keen on hopping on the Instagram bandwagon, lest you bore them with findings from your latest Insta-hopping activities.

One can still yield the benefits of Instagram without being a slave to it. For starters, draw a line when it comes to your sharing privacy because what you fancy letting the world in on might not be what others want to know about you. In addition, limit your Instagram usage and keep your phone out of sight at important social meetings or family gatherings.

Don’t miss the important fleeting moments in life trying to capture an eventual memory. When you offer a piece of your life to the world, remember that you are trading it with a fraction of your life that you will never get back. Instagram can wait, while time waits for no man. Carpe diem!

About the writer: 
An impulsive foodie who is in love with the written word, Serene has taken the road less travelled by living out of a suitcase. She embraces the idea of being present in the moment and travels with a spirit of adventure on her globe-trotting journeys, which see her exploring a different city or two in a given week. Track her global footprints in pixels and learn more about thoughts and raves on Instagram.

Air travel is often fraught with excitement, frustration and dramas. The people -flight attendants and passengers alike- whom you meet onboard often determine whether the flight is to be enjoyed or endured. Here is a list of the 11 types of passengers whom you will meet in the friendly skies. Which type of passenger are you?

#1 THE GROUCHY BUSINESS MAN

Donning a sharp suit, he wears a look of seriousness and displays a no-nonsense attitude from the moment he boards the aircraft. It is written all over his face that he is not one to be trifled with.

Just a trivial issue like having a filled overhead compartment above his seat – that forbids him to stow his carry-on bag near him – is enough to reveal the slightest hint of annoyance on his face. The only times he peels away from his laptop are during a meal service or when he has to answer nature’s call.

On the other end of the spectrum, there is a much-preferred group of business travellers who reject their meals and drinks in the pursuit of repaying their sleep debts. Just do not sit them next to a crying child.

#2 THE NEEDY PARENT

I have full of admiration and empathy for parents who travel with their young children in tow, especially those who travel without their spouse.

During the entire course of the flight, the call attendant button exists as their lifeline. Many flight attendants go beyond and above their call of duty to render miscellaneous assistance to fatigue-stricken parents – be it minding their child for a moment, retrieving an item from a bag -since their hands are always full- or filling their milk bottles. Most of them do not mean to be bothersome, but they often come across as such with their endless requests.

However, what irks me most are lackadaisical parents who leave their young children starved of attention, while they keep their eyes fixated on the entertainment screen. They do little or nothing to pacify their crying child and appear more interested to finish a movie. Besides ruining the peaceful cabin ambience, they ruin the moods of neighbouring passengers too. I am not sure about you, but I would be more understanding if visible efforts have been made to turn off the waterworks of their child.

#3 THE HYPERACTIVE CHILD

A fact that often goes unhighlighted by parents to their children: The aircraft cabin is not your playground. Unbeknownst to many parents, the aircraft is a dangerous place for kids who are left unsupervised. Moving meal carts, spilling overhead compartments and unforeseen turbulences are potential accidents waiting to happen when parents allow their children to run freely along the aisles.

It is understandable that the novelty of flying is real for young children, who are often unable to sit still or keep their volumes down because they simply cannot contain their excitement. They wear their parents’ patience thin, and at times, mine too. Can you imagine having to tolerate their screams and fidgeting on a long haul flight? Please pass me some ear plugs or try to keep your child occupied with movies, games or books.

#4 THE NERVOUS WRECK

Their faces turn as white as sheet during three important phases of the flight: Takeoff, turbulence and landing. I previously encountered a middle-aged lady, who clung on to her spouse for her dear life during an extremely turbulent phase of the flight that shook the aircraft violently for several minutes. To be honest, I was more worried that she would pass out due to anxiety, rather than the aircraft breaking apart.

For the claustrophobics, flying in an enclosed space without any exit points is a nightmare come true. Every passing minute spent in the skies is excruciating for them. They are vulnerable to panic attacks and feel uncomfortable about leaving their seats during the flight. If you ever find yourself seated beside a passenger who displays symptoms of claustrophobia, provide some relief with verbal assurances because they need it the most. I guess the fear of flying is a personal issue that is difficult to allay with age, experiences or wisdom.

#5 THE SELFISH FREQUENT FLIER

They may have chalked up a huge mileage from their travels, but they are none the wiser. More often than not, they are unwilling to comply with safety regulations that inconvenience them. When instructed to raise the window shade or stow their foot rest for takeoff or landing, expect to hear a grunt from them. Likewise, expect a louder grunt when they are told to return their seats upright during a meal service. Their disgruntlement appears to be the only thing that matters to them during the flight, not their manners nor safety.

Their life is over when they do not receive their choice of meal onboard. I am gravely exaggerating, but how many times have we witnessed a passenger kicking up a big fuss over the lack of their meal choice? Fact: There is no Michelin-starred chef onboard. You are just missing out on a heavily processed meal that your body will thank you for – should you choose to skip it completely.

#6 THE CURIOUS CREEPER

Have you ever sat beside a passenger who kept throwing intrusive glances your way on a public mode of transport? Or unwittingly ended up as Aunt agony while listening to the life story of a neighbouring stranger?

Don’t get me wrong though, it is wonderful to trade travel insights and interesting anecdotes. However, everyone is entitled to their own privacy in a public setting. Don’t we all dread being labelled as a broken record? Imagine having to put up with one on a long haul flight.

My tip for dealing with potential creeps or space invaders? Offer monosyllabic replies to indicate your lack of interest.

#7 THE GLUTTONY BINGE-EATER

Bearing in mind that aircraft food is notoriously unhealthy, I cannot fathom the logic behind passengers who match their appetites with the growing mileage clocked. After a full meal service and a few cocktail orders, do you really need another serving of cup noodles? Studies have shown that the effectiveness of our taste buds is altered while flying, but I highly doubt it causes our appetites to double.

A point this category of passengers is missing here: The aircraft galley is not your international buffet restaurant or charitable supermarket in the skies. Onboard service is free-flowing, but the in-flight catered food is not. Also, do they really expect others to be able to fall asleep with the tangy scent of Tom yum (read: cup noodles) wafting in the confined cabin? As if putting up with the stale, recycled cabin air isn’t bad enough…

#8 THE FREE-SPIRITED NOMAD

You can spot them from a distance sporting a rugged look or some hipster dreadlocks. They usually travel alone or in a pair, but hardly ever in a group. These nomads travel light and are often in good spirits. Clad in a simple getup, most of them are easygoing and are eager to share their travel stories. Their intriguing stories will keep you entertained on a budget flight without an in-flight entertainment system at your seat. Generally a category of no-frills passengers, they are unlikely to step on anyone’s toes during the flight.

#9 THE CUTEST OLD COUPLE

From time to time, I will encounter elderly couples who paint a heartwarming picture of love through their little gestures. They appear grateful to be able to travel with their soulmate in their golden years, in spite of their fragilities and limitations.

For them, love manifests itself in the skies through the smallest of actions like a soothing massage or making an accompanied trip to the washroom together. Rarely one without the other, they can be seen going on slow walks along the aisles during the lull period. They make me go green with envy, in a good way of course.

#10 THE HIPPY TEENAGERS

Nobody needs to know the lyrics of your favourite heavy metal tune… So spare a thought for others and turn down the volume a notch. Also, it will be wise to remove your headset while you chat with your buddy, instead of unceremoniously letting us in on your opinions of that hot flight attendant who just served you a drink.

For those who recently become of a legal drinking age, it is natural to experiment with alcohol – especially when it comes without a price tag. Expect them to host their own booze party onboard, courtesy of the bar carts that house a decent selection of liquors and wines. If it is any consolation, they should be sound asleep after the meal service, no thanks to their enthusiastic servings of in-flight tipples.

#11 THE ABSOLUTE GENTLEMAN

He is mindful of his behaviour and is respectful towards the needs of his fellow passengers. He is seen lending a helping hand to female or elderly passengers who struggle to stow their heavy baggage during boarding. His intentions are thoughtful, and he is a pleasant passenger to have onboard.

He will not steal your legroom or nudge your elbow off the armrest. Neither will he cut your queue during boarding nor block the aisle while rummaging through his carry-on bag to retrieve his earphones. He will not be caught dead discreetly removing his stinky socks. If you have been guilty of any of these aforementioned ungentlemanly acts, a change is always welcomed.

Suffice to say, interesting characters do add entertainment – both good and bad – to our flight experiences. For my own part, I try to be mindful of observing basic flying etiquettes and avoid being a demanding prick towards the set of flight attendants who looks after my needs. Always choose to be kind, because when we are tens of thousands feet up in the air, all we have is each other.

The opinions expressed in this article are purely the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of her employer.

About the writer: 
An impulsive foodie who is in love with the written word, Serene has taken the road less travelled by living out of a suitcase. She embraces the idea of being present in the moment and travels with a spirit of adventure on her globe-trotting journeys, which see her exploring a different city or two in a given week. Track her global footprints in pixels and learn more about thoughts and raves on Instagram.