From my experience, they only greet me in Y or Y+ with bottled water only if the manifest shows me as OWE. There were occasions when, even though my OWE number was recorded at reservation and checkin, for some reason my BP doesn't show OWE, then I didn't even get a second glance much lest a hello. Suppose it's all what the data directs the person to do. ☺

I think also depends on the loading, as a nobody I got greeted extensively by ISM on a regional NRT-HKG in J before.

I have not receive Evian water in a long time, and ISM greets have been hit-and-miss lately too. Not that it's a big lost, but it's definitely not consistent as in year's past (for DMs)

I have never been greeted before flying J if I wasn't an MPC Gold. There are too many pax in J cabin so the purser isn't going to greet any random passenger.

In fact, I believe MPC Gold or above should get the greeting regardless of cabin. Whether the purser does this on every flight isn't very consistent though. I just did HKG-LAX and JFK-HKG last week. I was greeted ex-JFK but not HKG.

MPC Gold or above should always get the bottled water. If not, ask and you shall receive.

I used to think this too, but my understanding is the protocol changed in the last year or two and technically J pax are supposed to get greeted by at least an FP or SP, regardless of status. Whether it actually happens for each flight is another matter....

Actually, it's technically supposed to be reserved for DMs only, but many ISMs and SPs will do it for GOs, especially when elite loading may be light. One of the complaints I consistently hear from FA friends is GOs getting peeved and pulling a DYKWIA when water or a greeting doesn't appear, or having other special requests (business class food/drinks, etc.). Generous ISMs and SPs will generally acquiesces to a GO request and those elites have grown to expect it, which leads to a service inconsistency. An FA following the book will distribute water to DMs (and usually OWEs) only. In the last few years FAs have resorted to distributing water via plastic baggie to avoid other other elites' complaints.

Is the self-introduction at the time of delivering the menu in J be regarded as greeting?

Was on CX 505 (NRT-HKG) last night in J and the ISM came over to me (OWE) and made sure everything was good. It's a nice touch. I feel like Cathay Pacific really values OWE's.

I received greeting from SP when passing menu/wine list. CX511 @ 16 June. ISM did not make any effort, my seat was 11A.

Yes, during a talk with a ISM after landing last month the ISM confirmed to me that Evian is (still) for DM only, and she admitted that it's not too proper to give one to the GO on board at his request... As I asked her why sometimes I got a bottle of local water, or even a pack of mango juice on the return sector in a turnaround flight...

OWS here....I've been gotten introductions in Y and PEY on CX/KA on most segments... Never in J though.

Here are my observations as a (rather newly qualified) GO:

Regional Y/PEY (about 4 flights): I've gotten greeted by the SP in Y or PEY on all flights, but I haven't received any bottled water or anything extra. When distributing meals the FA did address me by name.

Long-haul Y/PEY: two flights SFO-HKG without any greeting or bottled water.

Regional/long-haul J (couple flights, all op-ups): extra greeting, beyond those while handing out menus, by the SP in J.

A bottle of water is distributed to PEY on long-haul flights.

I occasionally get a different brand of water. It's random enough that I suspect this is simply an availability issue.

My experience is that if I am asleep when the bottles of water are distributed, I am more likely not to receive it. I presume that it's because the ISM distributes the bottles but skips me as I am asleep, then this gets forgotten later on.

Been greeted each and every leg as a Gold last year, and I flew Y every time as well. I still get a kick and giggle out of it, since the passengers next to you are always slightly "what makes you so special - evil glare".