Just FYI: LH doesn’t ‘show the monkeys to the apes.'
Oct 31, 2014, 4:08 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 78
Just FYI: LH doesn’t ‘show the monkeys to the apes.'
…and other ways LH pursers live up to (bad) stereotypes about Germans.
Some facts that may or may not be relevant:
Traveler 1: a flight attendant for a US-based airline.
- She has flown for more than 15 years
- She holds an international line
- Traveling on an ID90 ticket
- Loves travel, airlines, airplanes
Traveler 2 – an 8-year-old boy
- Paralyzed from the chest down due to a spinal cord injury
- Traveling on an ID90 ticket
- Loves travel, airlines, airplanes
Traveler 1 and 2 were cleared standby onto LH 422, FRA-BOS. They received seats in the business class cabin on the lower deck of the 747-400 they were traveling on.
Traveler 2 had never been on a 747 before and was excited to explore it.
Traveler 1 approached the LH flight attendant working her cabin and asked if she could take Traveler 2 on a tour of the aircraft.
LH flight attendant answers in the affirmative and offers to escort Traveler 1 and Traveler 2 on a tour of the aircraft.
Traveler 1 physically carries Traveler 2 around the aircraft.
Flight attendant leads Travelers 1 and 2 up the stairs to the upper deck. Traveler 1 carries Traveler 2 up the stairs.
LH Purser asks Traveler 1 what she is doing there. Traveler 1 explains that Traveler 2 has never been on a 747 and wants to see the upper deck.
LH purser replies that this is totally inappropriate and says Travelers 1 and 2 should leave immediately. Traveler 1 inquires why.
“Because we don’t show the monkeys to the apes,” replies LH purser. “Go back to your seats immediately.” LH flight attendant, who had escorted Traveler 1 and 2, remains silent.
Traveler 1 returns to seat, carrying Traveler 2, shaking with anger.
So, I’m sure there’s something lost in translation here. But it can’t be good.
But, please, LH apologists, do your best…
Some facts that may or may not be relevant:
Traveler 1: a flight attendant for a US-based airline.
- She has flown for more than 15 years
- She holds an international line
- Traveling on an ID90 ticket
- Loves travel, airlines, airplanes
Traveler 2 – an 8-year-old boy
- Paralyzed from the chest down due to a spinal cord injury
- Traveling on an ID90 ticket
- Loves travel, airlines, airplanes
Traveler 1 and 2 were cleared standby onto LH 422, FRA-BOS. They received seats in the business class cabin on the lower deck of the 747-400 they were traveling on.
Traveler 2 had never been on a 747 before and was excited to explore it.
Traveler 1 approached the LH flight attendant working her cabin and asked if she could take Traveler 2 on a tour of the aircraft.
LH flight attendant answers in the affirmative and offers to escort Traveler 1 and Traveler 2 on a tour of the aircraft.
Traveler 1 physically carries Traveler 2 around the aircraft.
Flight attendant leads Travelers 1 and 2 up the stairs to the upper deck. Traveler 1 carries Traveler 2 up the stairs.
LH Purser asks Traveler 1 what she is doing there. Traveler 1 explains that Traveler 2 has never been on a 747 and wants to see the upper deck.
LH purser replies that this is totally inappropriate and says Travelers 1 and 2 should leave immediately. Traveler 1 inquires why.
“Because we don’t show the monkeys to the apes,” replies LH purser. “Go back to your seats immediately.” LH flight attendant, who had escorted Traveler 1 and 2, remains silent.
Traveler 1 returns to seat, carrying Traveler 2, shaking with anger.
So, I’m sure there’s something lost in translation here. But it can’t be good.
But, please, LH apologists, do your best…
Oct 31, 2014, 5:58 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: WAW
Programs: SPG Plat, M&M SEN
Posts: 109
Well, you can meet both excellent and mediocre staff @ LH. Help them get rid of the latter by filing a complaint here. Should be easy to pinpoint the exact person (purser) if you give them all of the flight details.
As to your story - when did the tour commence? During flight? With plane at the gate? Not that it matters (a lot) but might give us some idea why the purser would prohibit you from staying upstairs.
On the other hand - what does the "don’t show the monkeys to the apes" expression even mean? I've never heard of it and quick google doesn't help either? Are you sure you understood it correctly (I presume the purser was speaking English)? Maybe it's a direct (lost in) translation from German? Anyway - sounds really peculiar and I'm sorry to hear that both you and the boy weren't treated respectfully.
As to your story - when did the tour commence? During flight? With plane at the gate? Not that it matters (a lot) but might give us some idea why the purser would prohibit you from staying upstairs.
On the other hand - what does the "don’t show the monkeys to the apes" expression even mean? I've never heard of it and quick google doesn't help either? Are you sure you understood it correctly (I presume the purser was speaking English)? Maybe it's a direct (lost in) translation from German? Anyway - sounds really peculiar and I'm sorry to hear that both you and the boy weren't treated respectfully.