So I (early 20s m) am traveling for work this week and was on a 3 hour flight sitting next to this older white guy, probably in his 50s. For context, I’m Asian, and I was wearing a black KN95 mask just because I had a sore throat and didn’t want to get sick before a big presentation.

Right after I sat down, this guy looked at me and said something like, “Still wearing those things, huh?” I just awkwardly laughed it off and didn’t respond because I didn’t feel like having that conversation.

About 20 minutes into the flight, he straight up asked, “You sick or just paranoid?” I told him, “Just being cautious, I’m traveling for work.” He rolled his eyes and said, “You know they don’t even work, right?” At this point I was already annoyed, but I just put in my AirPods and ignored him.

Later on, a flight attendant came by offering snacks and I said no thank you. The guy goes, “You know you can take it off to eat, right? You’re not going to die.” I didn’t even answer him that time.

I told my friend about it when I landed and she said I probably came off rude by not answering and making the situation more tense. But I honestly didn’t think I was obligated to justify wearing a mask or make small talk with some dude who clearly didn’t respect my decision.

I wasn’t trying to make a statement, I just didn’t want to get sick. I didn’t say anything rude or confrontational, I just didn’t want to engage. But now I’m wondering if I was kind of an asshole for being cold and passive aggressive.

AITA?