(Mildly off-topic - apologies, but I can't stop thinking about this and need to get it off my chest.)

So there I was recently doing (for long and convoluted reasons) a same-day regional mileage run, up the front on one of the few regional flights which has First...

(More precise details are withheld to protect the innocent.)

I was the only person in the F cabin so the ISM had taken two of the crew off to help down the back of the 744 (which was packed) and left me in the capable hands of a beautiful, tall girl who shall remain nameless (although her name is seared in my memory). As always with Cathay she was relaxed and friendly, and we had chatted pleasantly for a bit.

I had taken a rather nice brunch and settled down to a movie, selecting The Magdalene Sisters, a somewhat heavy, but well-reviewed movie which was in the "Original Cut" selection. By the way, one of the things I like about the CX AVOD is that they really do show original cuts, and not the horribly censored (sometimes almost to the point of incomprehensibility) versions which most other airlines require.

Anyway, it was a sunny day so my personal attendant had shut all the blinds, cleared my tables and dimmed the lights way down low for me to watch the film.

A little while later, I was sipping my cappuccino and concentrating on the screen when I was aware that she was standing beside me. So, as I always do, I slipped off one earphone, to hear her ask "is it a good movie?".

Now this is a question I have been asked by cabin crew a few times before, but never previously with such a big smile and in the "raised eyebrow" tone that it carried this time.

And the reason was obvious: at this precise moment in the movie there was on the screen in front of us the sight of a dozen or so full frontally nude convent girls being ranked by two nuns on the hairiness of their nether regions.

Now over the last five years that I have been a regular (red-blooded, male, single)Cathay passenger I will admit to having fantasised more than a few times about being in a situation something like this... a darkened F cabin with just me and one gorgeous Cathay stewardess and apparently, as I perceived it, being offered the opportunity to chance my arm at getting to know her better. I've even thought in detail about lines that might work in different situations.

But to be honest, I was completely thrown by what was on the screen. And all I could do was bluster non-commitally in a very embarrassed sort of way until she put an end to my misery by offering to make me another cappuccino.

And ever since I've been kicking myself for my inadequacy.

Can anyone help me? What would have been the best one line reply in this situation which would not have been tacky or out of place in a CX F cabin but which would have given her the opportunity to take the conversation on in the right direction?

"You have beautiful eyes" normally works for me.

I'm not sure that works as an answer to "is it a good movie?".

"I always find real people more interesting than movies", clicking off the screen.

Easier to come up with when given time to ponder the FT screen than when confronted with the opportunity.

There's an old line where one's diety announces "I've created Man with a brain so that he may think great thoughts and become wise, and a p.... (are we allowed to use the p-word here?) so that he may be fruitful and reproduce his kind. Unfortunately, I've only been able to provide an adequate blood supply for operating one at a time..."

Be yourself. The next question should have been "Have you seen this movie"? Create natural conversation and play the obvious card, but don't make it obvious. We are all kids in adult bodies now. I don't want to pass too many secrets, then I'll get nervous to use them myself!

So the movie had nude girls with nuns? What's it called "The Magdalene Sisters"? I gotta get the Director's Cut with the outtakes!

well i personally think that "your eyes are beautifuL' would be a much more special reply then "yea, it s a great film"....

"Is it a good movie?"

"Yes. I'm watching it for its (religious instructions)."


(...) fill in as appropriate

My suggestion is to keep your GF off this board

Good luck next time around

give me her name and will try to find where she'll fly to next!!! (though not necessarily in first) will need her full name though

[This message has been edited by gear down (edited Jan 25, 2004).]

'It is quite inspiring indeed, but I do not mind you interrupting at all.'

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truly yours. airOli.
March 1st 2004: Morgestraich Do!

Maybe you should ask her something like "So... are you married?" first...

I had girl pick me up in a restaurant with that exact same line. I said "Does it matter?" She smiled and just gave me her phone number on a piece of paper and then walked out of the place with her boyfriend.

THAT fantasy came true.

But, back to our friend in F .......

I would had answered "It's not as good as real life." Shut off the movie and started a love affair poets devote their whole lives to describe.