This is not a complicated question: if you know it bothers others, then you know what the polite thing to do is. 
"But airplane seats are designed to recline".
Yes, because much of the time the seat behind you is empty, or occupied by a short person, or that person is also somewhat reclining. That it's okay 70% of the time doesn't mean it won't bother people 30% of the time, you assholes.
Yes, because much of the time the seat behind you is empty, or occupied by a short person, or that person is also somewhat reclining. That it's okay 70% of the time doesn't mean it won't bother people 30% of the time, you assholes.
Look behind you. If it's a tall person who isn't reclined themselves, or if it's a person with their laptop out, then it's a safe bet they'll have a legitimate grievance if you recline all the way.
"But if they didn't want you punching the backs of seats, they'd be made sturdier".
I'm totally going to start punching the backs of seats now when I can't use my laptop because they reclined all the way.
People wanting to recline their seats pretend that it's not a legitimate grievance, that the person behind them has no grounds for complaining. That's obviously false. Tall people have problems. Those using laptops have problems.
