My experience flying more than a dozen different airlines and spending a lot of time in countries where I am not a "local", is that people seem to have cultural pre-dispositions that are in their subconscious, but something gives them some reason to make an assumption about someone else.

Without getting into anthropology, sociology and psychographics, and since I don't know the ethnic background of the flight attendant or their age, is it possible that they made an assumption based on their own background instead of their training from SQ?

And if the FA wrongly assumed that because you are Indian, you had ordered a vegetarian meal, why didn't you say "I did not order a special meal, thanks"?

And when she offered champagne to the other pax, why didn't you just say, "Oh, I'd like some as well, thanks"?


As for white people getting treated better in Asia, well here's a data point for you: Based on my experiences in some Asian countries, the top of the food chain is an Asian male, followed by a white male, followed by an Asian female if she is with an Asian male. White-looking females are at the bottom of the list.

I was ignored in an expensive restaurant in HKG once. No server came to my table, but tables on either side were well-attended. I got up, found a server, ordered my meal and ate. No one came to take the dishes or offer tea or dessert. I couldn't get anyone to even bring me my bill. So I quietly got up, asked to speak to manager, told him my experience. I could have just as easily walked out and not paid because I was just not important to them. But that's not who I am. I told him about the experience and lack of attention or service. Of course he apologized, he offered not to charge me, he gave me his card and so on.

This was a teachable moment. I knew that if I handled it with some grace, he would remember and perhaps never let his staff do this again to someone else, regardless of their own assumptions about which customers are more important.

I had an even worse experience with my airline concierge in PVG. I am the one with 100K and MM status and her job was to meet me and such. Immediately on arrival, she focused her attention on my younger male colleague. But I understand some of how things work in China. It wasn't important enough for me to try and change her behaviour. Because of my work, i actually found her behavior to be interesting.

You assumed that because you are Indian, the SQ FA treated you with service that was lacking and had incorrect assumptions about you.

I realize this is hindsight, but you should have spoken up respectfully, or asked to speak to the Inflight Manager (Cabin Crew).


And I guarantee you this, had you and I been somewhere in parts of Asia, SE Asia, perhaps India and even in Europe, staff would have likely served you first. Had you been sitting next to me in business class on a flight, I guarantee that you would have been asked first.

IMHO, SQ crews are diverse and educated and gracious based on my experiences. Perhaps on your next SQ flight, you can express your concerns should there be any mistaken assumptions by crews.

Happy travels.