Ok - yes I agree but you've asked a fair question. I think that it is that I can talk to them and they know what I am saying and what it is that I want. They are usually open to a laugh and a joke and, again, they don't take themselves too seriously. They usually are devoid of that saccharine charm that is has all the sincerity of a Rodeo Drive shop farewell. I am not saying others don't (I've had some super AA and AF cabin crew) but that's what I like about BA crew - I know where they are coming from in the main.

I'll give a for-instance. One day during a manual safety briefing on a Short Haul flight, the crew member in Club doing his demo in front of a sea of ill-mannered newspapers (we ask one thing of you, you attention and even that is too much - yes I know that it is intended for five-year olds but that's the CAA for you). Suddenly when showing the oxygen mask and showing how to pull it to you, the thing slipped through his fingers and smacked him in the kisser, fortunately not hurting him. We roared with laughter. The CSD stuck her head out to see what was going on and continued. For once the papers had gone down and people watched hoping for an encore. The crew member was killing himself laughing when he got to the galley.