All alchoholic beverages must be served by a Flight Attendant, however if they (and I would not mind on BA) are prepared to serve you yours, they are complying with the letter of the law. What was the Purser's problem? On American they have no authority over the others, they have additional administrative duties only. She got snippy with you? Techgirl, I am certain that you dealt with her, or ignored her whichever you saw fit to do. I'd snippy her!