A father in Hubei, China, has gone viral after handing out earplugs to fellow passengers before a flight, hoping to minimise any disturbance if his eight-month-old baby cried during the journey.
The heartwarming gesture has received widespread praise online, with the video attracting more than 20 million views.
Before take-off, the father, identified as Mr Chen, stood up and apologised to passengers, explaining that he was travelling with his eight-month-old child. Although the baby was asleep, he was worried the child might cry during take-off or landing due to changes in cabin pressure.
He then took out a large bag of earplugs and offered them to nearby passengers. Many politely declined, reassuring him that babies crying on flights was completely normal and nothing to worry about.
According to local media, Mr Chen and his family of five were travelling on a late-night flight lasting about one and a half hours. A week before the trip, he had ordered 100 pairs of earplugs online to distribute to passengers as a precaution.
Mr Chen said he came up with the idea after seeing videos online of children crying on planes and trains, which often led to arguments between passengers. While some parents prepared apology letters or sweets, he felt earplugs would be a more practical way to reduce any inconvenience.
In the end, only 20 to 30 pairs of earplugs were accepted, as most passengers smiled and expressed their understanding. Flight attendants also offered to help after noticing he was travelling with two young children, creating what Mr Chen described as a warm and supportive atmosphere throughout the journey.
Fortunately, the baby cried only briefly during take-off and landing before being comforted, causing little disruption to other passengers.
Despite the praise he has received, Mr Chen said he was nervous while handing out the earplugs but believed it was his responsibility as a parent to be considerate of others. He hopes the video encourages more parents to think about those around them and helps promote a more understanding and respectful travel environment.
He added that empathy is something he also teaches his children at home, reminding them to be considerate in public and to treat others with kindness. “Parents lead by example,” he said. “If my children see this one day, I hope they’ll be proud and learn that caring for others is one of the most important lessons in life.”
