Originally Posted by peachfront
I guarantee that if you stop Joe Average on the street, they don't got a clue nor would they quite see how upgrading someone to an otherwise empty first class seat is hurting anything.
Average Joe on the street also knows that one can get a first class seat by purchasing it - but maybe they hope they'll get it cheaper with a little cash to the right person. It isn't 'tipping' no matter how you spin it - and I guarantee the men (why is it always men? Never seen a woman try it...) who've tried to bribe their way into FC on my flights had no delusions about the innocence of their question.