dead rat

i was on the plane on my way to Brisbane tonight when i started to smell dead rat. i was sitting on the window seat, falling asleep, and the smell was faint. sometimes it’s there, and two seconds later it’s gone. then it started to grow stronger. i thought, if i found out that there is a dead rat in the plane, i will never ever fly with Qantas again.
and then i saw it. right below my armrest, about 3 inches from my elbow, a naked left foot was sticking out from the seat behind me. it wasn’t well-groomed and it stinks! eww!!
i immediately moved to the seat right next to me, and thanking god for having it empty.
then i started to wonder, what would i do if the seat wasn’t empty? i’ll be inhaling feet fume for the whole 3 hours. yuck! and what would i do if it was a longer flight, like 7 hours or so? double yuck! what would i do to prevent all those from happening?
first scenario:
i ask the flight attendant: excuse me, could you, um, ask the lady behind me to put her shoes back on? the, um, stench isn’t pleasant.
but then, i can’t imagine how the flight attendant would ask her that politely….
second scenario:
i turned around and ask the lady myself, as polite as i could be: hello, excuse me. would it be okay if you put your shoes back on?
naah, how about: excuse me, your foot is a bit smelly. could please you put your shoes back on?
or: hello, i have a favor to ask… could please, um, you wash your feet in the restroom? i would very much appreaciate it.
i could say: yo, get that fuckin feet of yours away from me! they stink!
either way, i can’t think of any way to say tell a stranger that their feet odor is bothering me. politely. telling someone that their zipper open is much, much easier.