'Hello mate!'
Sep 27, 2017, 9:51 am
#31
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
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I'd have expected part of it ("mate" bit - "hello" may be replaced by "Hiya"...) from QF from time to time but usually not BA. 
My response may have been "Not in Sin'ny* already, are we?"
*That's a lazy way of saying "Sydney"
My response may have been "Not in Sin'ny* already, are we?"*That's a lazy way of saying "Sydney"
Sep 27, 2017, 9:54 am
#32
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,839
is the greeting I just received upon boarding my (eurofleet) flight.
Now, I pride myself on being very laid back and informal, including in many professional contexts where I would be entitled to a certain formality, but maybe there are limits to all good things, and even by my informal standards, this is beyond it.
Now, I pride myself on being very laid back and informal, including in many professional contexts where I would be entitled to a certain formality, but maybe there are limits to all good things, and even by my informal standards, this is beyond it.
if it made you uncomfortable certainly raise it with BA, but I'm not sure trying to objectively assess your level of informality reinforces your point.
Sep 27, 2017, 9:56 am
#33
Join Date: Sep 2013
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Not overly-keen on the Hello Mate ...... more in tune with my Ryanair experiences.
Have had a fair few "Hi, how ya goin ?" on QF (but that's not uncommon in some good Aussie restaurants too)
Have had a fair few "Hi, how ya goin ?" on QF (but that's not uncommon in some good Aussie restaurants too)
Sep 27, 2017, 10:09 am
#34
Join Date: Oct 2015
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Does not matter if it doesn't bother you , i bet you it would annoy BA HQ thou.
I do have to say I'm not uptight with greetings , but hello mate is too casual....
I do have to say I'm not uptight with greetings , but hello mate is too casual....
Sep 27, 2017, 10:49 am
#36
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Sep 27, 2017, 11:05 am
#40
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I also support orbitmic on this, I hope he has recovered his sensibilities via the usual routes. I've only been called "mate" once by flight crew, and yes it was on Qantas. I was called "Boy" on SAA, going back to the Stone Age (in more ways than one).
Sep 27, 2017, 11:10 am
#41
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Sep 27, 2017, 11:22 am
#42
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discman
My pride and joy at that time too.
The Afrikaaner SCCM took one look at it, and said with a pretty ruthless tone for Business Class: "You're not using that on here boy!" - and that was the end of that. I went out humming that notorious Spitting Image sketch instead, but that was probably lost on him.
Sep 27, 2017, 11:40 am
#43
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 157
The "mate" is overly familiar and just not appropriate. See also "guys" from a previous thread on this topic.
If I'm trying to get the attention of a crewmember, I don't call out "mate", I say "excuse me". This goes both ways.
A simple "good morning/afternoon/evening" or "welcome aboard" skirts this whole issue -- if a significant contingent of crew do not want to address customers as sir/madam, there's the solution.
If I'm trying to get the attention of a crewmember, I don't call out "mate", I say "excuse me". This goes both ways.
A simple "good morning/afternoon/evening" or "welcome aboard" skirts this whole issue -- if a significant contingent of crew do not want to address customers as sir/madam, there's the solution.
Sep 27, 2017, 11:42 am
#45
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