Racial Profiling on SQ
Mar 5, 2019, 2:53 am
#31
Join Date: May 2017
Location: SIN
Programs: AS MVPG75k, AA Plat
Posts: 741
Actually its well known that SQ treats single females (white and Asian both) worst than they treat men in general at J or F cabins and my observations pretty much confirmed that. Whenever I traveled with my wife we always tried to sit front and back (and the crew usually have no ideas we are together) if the configuration is 1-2-1 so we could both get single window seat. They are always so nice to me, filling up my Pierrer automatically, adjusted my blanket while I am asleep . . . etc. My wife, on the other end, usually get zip. At one point I thought she's going die from thirst!! Its actually quite funny if you are not at the receiving end of it
Mar 5, 2019, 9:21 am
#32
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: HKG
Programs: BA GGL & CCR
Posts: 600
I have been flying SQ for number of years, and flew them again this past weekend.
Europeans (white) people generally get better treatment in Asia, but on this SQ flight in Premium Economy it was taken to the next level - I am India, and did not order any special meal - yet the FA comes over and says we will serve veg meals shorts, ummm what does that have to do with me?
She offered Champagne to my co-passenger, and not to me ... He was European
Has anyone else observed this?
Europeans (white) people generally get better treatment in Asia, but on this SQ flight in Premium Economy it was taken to the next level - I am India, and did not order any special meal - yet the FA comes over and says we will serve veg meals shorts, ummm what does that have to do with me?
She offered Champagne to my co-passenger, and not to me ... He was European
Has anyone else observed this?
They also proactively extend their hand with a UK landing card if you’re Chinese and wait for you to prompt them for one if you’re white and vice versa with the HK landing cards...
Couldnt care less, world is filling up with overly sensitive people who can’t go out their front door without getting offended.
Mar 5, 2019, 9:52 am
#34
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Singapore
Programs: KF, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 182
As this post seems to be a place to share racial assumptions, here’s my 2 cents.
I noticed almost anyone who looks like they are from Indian subcontinent are detained at HKIA for investigation, even if they have valid visas.
The opposite is also observed - anyone who looks like they are of Chinese descent are questioned more than others at Indian immigration. My wild guess is the authorities want to confirm they are not from Huawei.
I noticed almost anyone who looks like they are from Indian subcontinent are detained at HKIA for investigation, even if they have valid visas.
The opposite is also observed - anyone who looks like they are of Chinese descent are questioned more than others at Indian immigration. My wild guess is the authorities want to confirm they are not from Huawei.
Mar 5, 2019, 10:06 am
#35
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
Well, OP's intent was his feeling that he was racially profiled by SQ, followed by personal experiences of other posters, suggestions for him on future SQ flights and yes, a discussion of the differences between cultural bias, racial profiling and racism. (IMHO, a rather enlightening discussion)
Mar 5, 2019, 4:55 pm
#36
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,676
As this post seems to be a place to share racial assumptions, here’s my 2 cents.
I noticed almost anyone who looks like they are from Indian subcontinent are detained at HKIA for investigation, even if they have valid visas.
The opposite is also observed - anyone who looks like they are of Chinese descent are questioned more than others at Indian immigration. My wild guess is the authorities want to confirm they are not from Huawei.
I noticed almost anyone who looks like they are from Indian subcontinent are detained at HKIA for investigation, even if they have valid visas.
The opposite is also observed - anyone who looks like they are of Chinese descent are questioned more than others at Indian immigration. My wild guess is the authorities want to confirm they are not from Huawei.
Mar 5, 2019, 7:48 pm
#37
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: BRU, SIN, PEK
Programs: SQ TPP, LH SEN
Posts: 3,235
I work in a regional office in SG with many european assignees. Anytime China or India get into a little row with another country, you see that manifested in delayed visa applications, additional steps (F2F interviews), or even outright rejections.
Mar 5, 2019, 10:29 pm
#38
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, GHA Titanium
Posts: 1,961
Hmm interestingly enough I have the opposite observation. Granted I'm not the most frequent of premium cabin flyers (just once a year), but I always find my wife gets friendlier and better service than I do, especially when there's a male FA, who usually goes out of his way to joke & make small talk with her (but not with me). Maybe I have an unfriendly / unapproachable face :P
Mar 6, 2019, 2:57 am
#39
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: MEL
Programs: QF, VA, VN, BA, SQ, KC - all reds and blues.
Posts: 3,205
As a white male, it is easy to make the assumption that everyone is treated the same as me; or that when they are not, it is a momentary lapse of service. However I have talked enough to friends and colleagues who are not white men and they (universally) tell me that they experience lower levels of service. One exchange that particularly struck me was a middle-aged Pakistani male colleague in London who asked me how often I got pulled over by the police. I said it had happened once when I was speeding. He told me this was a regular occurrence for him on suspicion of being a black man driving a car.
My guess is that the OP was slighted on the flight and that this is not his first experience of inferior treatment. I can understand the white man response of saying he could/should have raised it with the in-flight supervisor but I could equally understand that he is weary of having to demand equal treatment and sometimes it is easier to not cause a fuss and vent later in a more anonymous way.
FWIW, I am grateful to anyone who tells me that I might have treated them unfavourably as a result of my prejudice - it helps me be more aware of my prejudices ad the situations when they may cause me to make poor decisions. But I also know that they shouldn't have to do so and they have no obligation to turn my own poor conduct into a development opportunity for me.
My guess is that the OP was slighted on the flight and that this is not his first experience of inferior treatment. I can understand the white man response of saying he could/should have raised it with the in-flight supervisor but I could equally understand that he is weary of having to demand equal treatment and sometimes it is easier to not cause a fuss and vent later in a more anonymous way.
FWIW, I am grateful to anyone who tells me that I might have treated them unfavourably as a result of my prejudice - it helps me be more aware of my prejudices ad the situations when they may cause me to make poor decisions. But I also know that they shouldn't have to do so and they have no obligation to turn my own poor conduct into a development opportunity for me.
Mar 6, 2019, 3:19 am
#40
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SIN
Programs: CX DM, SQ KF Gold
Posts: 980
I'm not sure about a racial hierarchy but I'm very well aware as a white man (years and years of doing so) that if I wish to escape the heat, or use the lavatory facilities, I can walk into the lobby of any 5-star hotel in India or SE Asia, stay there (almost) as long as I like and I will never, ever be challenged
And to add another fine but perhaps important point: I have found that the more rural the environment you’re in, the more likely racial profiling is to occur.
Mar 6, 2019, 11:16 pm
#41
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,676
Actually its well known that SQ treats single females (white and Asian both) worst than they treat men in general at J or F cabins and my observations pretty much confirmed that. Whenever I traveled with my wife we always tried to sit front and back (and the crew usually have no ideas we are together) if the configuration is 1-2-1 so we could both get single window seat. They are always so nice to me, filling up my Pierrer automatically, adjusted my blanket while I am asleep . . . etc. My wife, on the other end, usually get zip. At one point I thought she's going die from thirst!! Its actually quite funny if you are not at the receiving end of it
While this may not be what happened in your wife's case, I'm simply pointing out where it has happened to me.
Mar 6, 2019, 11:18 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,676
FWIW, I am grateful to anyone who tells me that I might have treated them unfavourably as a result of my prejudice - it helps me be more aware of my prejudices ad the situations when they may cause me to make poor decisions. But I also know that they shouldn't have to do so and they have no obligation to turn my own poor conduct into a development opportunity for me.
Mar 7, 2019, 12:59 am
#43
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Bangkok/Singapore
Programs: Frantic Hilton/Marriott runs
Posts: 925
Not the first time someone complained about not being offered champagne on PE. This happens to us Singaporeans too:
https://mothership.sg/2018/05/sq-pre...omplaint-fail/
https://mothership.sg/2018/05/sq-pre...omplaint-fail/
Mar 7, 2019, 11:54 pm
#45
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CGK/LAX
Programs: KF,JMB, OZ, SPG,AA,UA,AS
Posts: 1,163
OP, I don't know, I have a few Indian colleagues who feel like they are treated differently on the carriers we fly on most frequently for work (SQ, CA, GA, and LH). Last month, one of them blew up on a lovely GA flight attendant because she brought me a cup of candies and did not offer him the same. He believed it was about race but it probably had more to do with my ability to speak Indonesian and make small talk with the FA. Anyway, it was an embarrassment for all. The FA you were dealing with was probably well-intentioned but just failed on execution.