Snide attendant comment overheard at HKIA
Jun 6, 2015, 5:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,581
Snide attendant comment overheard at HKIA
I was clearing the transfer zone at HKIA while connecting flights.
On my same arriving flight was a Caucasian woman and her male travel companion, both of whom were dressed casually - round neck t-shirts and jeans - but nonetheless looking a bit scruffy. She was a bit on the rotund side and her blond hair was disheveled, while he certainly has not been shaving for a while.
As they put their boarding passes and passports into the scanning trays, one of the scanner attendants caught sight of them and exclaimed to her colleague in Cantonese in a slightly incredulous tone "First class? How can THEY be travelling in first class?!"
The attendant didn't realise that I understood Cantonese perfectly. Not wanting to pick a fight that really wasn't mine... I just pretended not to hear the first time.
She then repeated her comment a second time, thinking her colleague didn't hear as well!
After my hand luggage was scanned... I merely walked on.
But should I have pointed out to her not to judge a book by its cover? Or informed the other two passengers that the attendant was scorning and get them to deal with it? Or it really is none of my business what the attendant thought of them, and what they don't know doesn't harm them? What would you have done in earnest?
On my same arriving flight was a Caucasian woman and her male travel companion, both of whom were dressed casually - round neck t-shirts and jeans - but nonetheless looking a bit scruffy. She was a bit on the rotund side and her blond hair was disheveled, while he certainly has not been shaving for a while.
As they put their boarding passes and passports into the scanning trays, one of the scanner attendants caught sight of them and exclaimed to her colleague in Cantonese in a slightly incredulous tone "First class? How can THEY be travelling in first class?!"
The attendant didn't realise that I understood Cantonese perfectly. Not wanting to pick a fight that really wasn't mine... I just pretended not to hear the first time.
She then repeated her comment a second time, thinking her colleague didn't hear as well!
After my hand luggage was scanned... I merely walked on.
But should I have pointed out to her not to judge a book by its cover? Or informed the other two passengers that the attendant was scorning and get them to deal with it? Or it really is none of my business what the attendant thought of them, and what they don't know doesn't harm them? What would you have done in earnest?
Jun 6, 2015, 6:23 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-1K, Hertz-Gold, Marriott-Gold, PC-Platinum, SPG
Posts: 2,777
I was clearing the transfer zone at HKIA while connecting flights.
On my same arriving flight was a Caucasian woman and her male travel companion, both of whom were dressed casually - round neck t-shirts and jeans - but nonetheless looking a bit scruffy. She was a bit on the rotund side and her blond hair was disheveled, while he certainly has not been shaving for a while.
As they put their boarding passes and passports into the scanning trays, one of the scanner attendants caught sight of them and exclaimed to her colleague in Cantonese in a slightly incredulous tone "First class? How can THEY be travelling in first class?!"
The attendant didn't realise that I understood Cantonese perfectly. Not wanting to pick a fight that really wasn't mine... I just pretended not to hear the first time.
She then repeated her comment a second time, thinking her colleague didn't hear as well!
After my hand luggage was scanned... I merely walked on.
But should I have pointed out to her not to judge a book by its cover? Or informed the other two passengers that the attendant was scorning and get them to deal with it? Or it really is none of my business what the attendant thought of them, and what they don't know doesn't harm them? What would you have done in earnest?
On my same arriving flight was a Caucasian woman and her male travel companion, both of whom were dressed casually - round neck t-shirts and jeans - but nonetheless looking a bit scruffy. She was a bit on the rotund side and her blond hair was disheveled, while he certainly has not been shaving for a while.
As they put their boarding passes and passports into the scanning trays, one of the scanner attendants caught sight of them and exclaimed to her colleague in Cantonese in a slightly incredulous tone "First class? How can THEY be travelling in first class?!"
The attendant didn't realise that I understood Cantonese perfectly. Not wanting to pick a fight that really wasn't mine... I just pretended not to hear the first time.
She then repeated her comment a second time, thinking her colleague didn't hear as well!
After my hand luggage was scanned... I merely walked on.
But should I have pointed out to her not to judge a book by its cover? Or informed the other two passengers that the attendant was scorning and get them to deal with it? Or it really is none of my business what the attendant thought of them, and what they don't know doesn't harm them? What would you have done in earnest?
Jun 6, 2015, 8:34 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 940
I would say it's unfortunate, but this is not your business and I would have left it alone. What is your desired result if you inform the 2 folks?
Unfortunately, prejudice (superficial or racial) exists everywhere.
Some years ago, I was dressed respectably (though I had a very youthful look) when I went to a UA F lane, and the person manning the desk indicated that this lane is only for First class passengers. My family was traveling with me, and they were not seasoned travelers so we may have looked "off". I suspect there was some racial or age prejudice in play there, but I responded that I am indeed flying F to her surprise, and chalked it up to the person just being grumpy so early in the morning. Not going to let it dampen the start of my trip.
Obviously, my family had not flown F before then, and thought maybe we didn't dress like we belonged. I told them they were fine -- it wasn't them.
Even as recently, I had an encounter while I chatted with an Australian couple while waiting in line during check-in in. They asked where I am from (and I said, "Boston") and it was one of those "where are you REALLY from, or what is your ancestry?" kind of questions. I said I grew up near Boston (but also stated my heritage) to which they say -- clearly impressed -- "wow you speak perfect English" *facepalm* (never mind that my primary written and spoken language IS English, and I went through all the school systems here...) Had a similar encounter with another couple while on a tour. These are the unintentional/mostly harmless ones, though it gets old really fast (and speak more to other people's ignorance)...
Sadly, people very often judge another just based on outward appearances. It happens to everyone at some point in their lives. Not saying it's right nor am I justifying it, but I think everyone is guilty of it at some level. You can't get upset over a few rotten apples.
Unfortunately, prejudice (superficial or racial) exists everywhere.
Some years ago, I was dressed respectably (though I had a very youthful look) when I went to a UA F lane, and the person manning the desk indicated that this lane is only for First class passengers. My family was traveling with me, and they were not seasoned travelers so we may have looked "off". I suspect there was some racial or age prejudice in play there, but I responded that I am indeed flying F to her surprise, and chalked it up to the person just being grumpy so early in the morning. Not going to let it dampen the start of my trip.
Obviously, my family had not flown F before then, and thought maybe we didn't dress like we belonged. I told them they were fine -- it wasn't them. Even as recently, I had an encounter while I chatted with an Australian couple while waiting in line during check-in in. They asked where I am from (and I said, "Boston") and it was one of those "where are you REALLY from, or what is your ancestry?" kind of questions. I said I grew up near Boston (but also stated my heritage) to which they say -- clearly impressed -- "wow you speak perfect English" *facepalm* (never mind that my primary written and spoken language IS English, and I went through all the school systems here...) Had a similar encounter with another couple while on a tour. These are the unintentional/mostly harmless ones, though it gets old really fast (and speak more to other people's ignorance)...
Sadly, people very often judge another just based on outward appearances. It happens to everyone at some point in their lives. Not saying it's right nor am I justifying it, but I think everyone is guilty of it at some level. You can't get upset over a few rotten apples.
Last edited by BOShappyflyer; Jun 21, 2015 at 6:19 pm
Jun 6, 2015, 10:45 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NYC/SIN
Programs: CX DM, SQ KF
Posts: 2,172
Snide attendant comment overheard at HKIA
That guy looks like me, except that I'm brown and would usually be in tattered shorts, rather than jeans- I always look scruffy and am too lazy to shave most of the time...just ignore the bad apple! If anything the one remark I got from the person manning the entrance to the transit security was 'Ah - birthday in First! Happy Birthday - Enjoy!'.
Jun 7, 2015, 2:32 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: AMS
Programs: SPG Plat
Posts: 130
I get this all the time. I love the looks on their faces when they discover I'm flying in J. They're immediately more polite and nice (trying to make up for their mistake before I guess).
Same with the SPG line. Yes I am plat thank you very much.
Same with the SPG line. Yes I am plat thank you very much.
Jun 8, 2015, 4:31 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,408
But should I have pointed out to her not to judge a book by its cover? Or informed the other two passengers that the attendant was scorning and get them to deal with it? Or it really is none of my business what the attendant thought of them, and what they don't know doesn't harm them? What would you have done in earnest?
Jun 8, 2015, 2:47 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: YWG
Programs: Aeroplan, MileagePlus, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 2,160
Given that we've all seen plenty of J and F pax who don't fit the "middle aged businessman in a suit" stereotype, I'm surprised that attendants would remark on what ANY J or F pax look like. The only qualification to be in that cabin is having enough $, points or upgrades.
Jun 8, 2015, 8:27 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,236
The link that brought me here from the FT homepage bears little resemblance to the actual story. What's going on with the clickbait?
It's a shame this happened but in the whole scheme of things who cares what the workers at the security queue say?
It's a shame this happened but in the whole scheme of things who cares what the workers at the security queue say?
Jun 8, 2015, 8:36 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: Lifetime AS 1MM & MVPG, AS MVPG100K, AA, DL, HH-G
Posts: 8,259
It happens all over the world.
Jun 8, 2015, 10:02 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: none
Posts: 1,669
I was clearing the transfer zone at HKIA while connecting flights.
On my same arriving flight was a Caucasian woman and her male travel companion, both of whom were dressed casually - round neck t-shirts and jeans - but nonetheless looking a bit scruffy. She was a bit on the rotund side and her blond hair was disheveled, while he certainly has not been shaving for a while.
As they put their boarding passes and passports into the scanning trays, one of the scanner attendants caught sight of them and exclaimed to her colleague in Cantonese in a slightly incredulous tone "First class? How can THEY be travelling in first class?!"
The attendant didn't realise that I understood Cantonese perfectly. Not wanting to pick a fight that really wasn't mine... I just pretended not to hear the first time.
She then repeated her comment a second time, thinking her colleague didn't hear as well!
After my hand luggage was scanned... I merely walked on.
But should I have pointed out to her not to judge a book by its cover? Or informed the other two passengers that the attendant was scorning and get them to deal with it? Or it really is none of my business what the attendant thought of them, and what they don't know doesn't harm them? What would you have done in earnest?
On my same arriving flight was a Caucasian woman and her male travel companion, both of whom were dressed casually - round neck t-shirts and jeans - but nonetheless looking a bit scruffy. She was a bit on the rotund side and her blond hair was disheveled, while he certainly has not been shaving for a while.
As they put their boarding passes and passports into the scanning trays, one of the scanner attendants caught sight of them and exclaimed to her colleague in Cantonese in a slightly incredulous tone "First class? How can THEY be travelling in first class?!"
The attendant didn't realise that I understood Cantonese perfectly. Not wanting to pick a fight that really wasn't mine... I just pretended not to hear the first time.
She then repeated her comment a second time, thinking her colleague didn't hear as well!
After my hand luggage was scanned... I merely walked on.
But should I have pointed out to her not to judge a book by its cover? Or informed the other two passengers that the attendant was scorning and get them to deal with it? Or it really is none of my business what the attendant thought of them, and what they don't know doesn't harm them? What would you have done in earnest?
(Snark intended)