Do you mind if I borrow your pen?
Sep 6, 2018, 9:53 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,741
Okay, I am sure this has been brought up on here before and I know many people will give me a lot of stick but here goes.
On a domestic economy flight in the US we were asked to fill it an arrivals form, cannot remember the exact flight but it was a 3 hour flight. Me and my wife had a pen in a bag (as we all do) but the plane was so full our bags were taken from overhead and placed a few seats ahead to accommodate people with larger bags.
I asked the gentleman next to me ''Do you mind if I borrow your pen please?". He abruptly said "Yes I do" in a harsh tone. I literally chuckled out loud as I couldnt believe someone would not do a simple favour to borrow a pen. Its not like I would not return it as he was window seat and I suppose my sentence shouldnt have started with "Do you mind...". But I just looked at my wife in disbelief and loud enough for him to hear said ''Who wouldnt let someone a pen!".
I know we as humans are not all the same, I get that, but I have gone out of my way to store heavy luggage for pregnant, elderly, disabled. Lent pens, paper, newspapers during my travels, its no skin off my nose just that scenario ended up being my most awkward moment for remaining journey and felt like I was sat next to someone with measles/cholera.
Maybe someone here will label me as acting 'entitled' but I can assure I maybe many things but not that.
On a domestic economy flight in the US we were asked to fill it an arrivals form, cannot remember the exact flight but it was a 3 hour flight. Me and my wife had a pen in a bag (as we all do) but the plane was so full our bags were taken from overhead and placed a few seats ahead to accommodate people with larger bags.
I asked the gentleman next to me ''Do you mind if I borrow your pen please?". He abruptly said "Yes I do" in a harsh tone. I literally chuckled out loud as I couldnt believe someone would not do a simple favour to borrow a pen. Its not like I would not return it as he was window seat and I suppose my sentence shouldnt have started with "Do you mind...". But I just looked at my wife in disbelief and loud enough for him to hear said ''Who wouldnt let someone a pen!".
I know we as humans are not all the same, I get that, but I have gone out of my way to store heavy luggage for pregnant, elderly, disabled. Lent pens, paper, newspapers during my travels, its no skin off my nose just that scenario ended up being my most awkward moment for remaining journey and felt like I was sat next to someone with measles/cholera.
Maybe someone here will label me as acting 'entitled' but I can assure I maybe many things but not that.
Sep 6, 2018, 10:31 am
#17
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York
Programs: AA Exp / Marriott Titanium / Hilton Gold / Hyatt Globalist / United Silver
Posts: 958
I usually travel with four other guys, and I usually carry about a dozen pen in my purse.
Sep 6, 2018, 11:38 am
#19
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 411
Okay, I am sure this has been brought up on here before and I know many people will give me a lot of stick but here goes.
On a domestic economy flight in the US we were asked to fill it an arrivals form, cannot remember the exact flight but it was a 3 hour flight. Me and my wife had a pen in a bag (as we all do) but the plane was so full our bags were taken from overhead and placed a few seats ahead to accommodate people with larger bags.
I asked the gentleman next to me ''Do you mind if I borrow your pen please?". He abruptly said "Yes I do" in a harsh tone. I literally chuckled out loud as I couldnt believe someone would not do a simple favour to borrow a pen. Its not like I would not return it as he was window seat and I suppose my sentence shouldnt have started with "Do you mind...". But I just looked at my wife in disbelief and loud enough for him to hear said ''Who wouldnt let someone a pen!".
I know we as humans are not all the same, I get that, but I have gone out of my way to store heavy luggage for pregnant, elderly, disabled. Lent pens, paper, newspapers during my travels, its no skin off my nose just that scenario ended up being my most awkward moment for remaining journey and felt like I was sat next to someone with measles/cholera.
Maybe someone here will label me as acting 'entitled' but I can assure I maybe many things but not that.
On a domestic economy flight in the US we were asked to fill it an arrivals form, cannot remember the exact flight but it was a 3 hour flight. Me and my wife had a pen in a bag (as we all do) but the plane was so full our bags were taken from overhead and placed a few seats ahead to accommodate people with larger bags.
I asked the gentleman next to me ''Do you mind if I borrow your pen please?". He abruptly said "Yes I do" in a harsh tone. I literally chuckled out loud as I couldnt believe someone would not do a simple favour to borrow a pen. Its not like I would not return it as he was window seat and I suppose my sentence shouldnt have started with "Do you mind...". But I just looked at my wife in disbelief and loud enough for him to hear said ''Who wouldnt let someone a pen!".
I know we as humans are not all the same, I get that, but I have gone out of my way to store heavy luggage for pregnant, elderly, disabled. Lent pens, paper, newspapers during my travels, its no skin off my nose just that scenario ended up being my most awkward moment for remaining journey and felt like I was sat next to someone with measles/cholera.
Maybe someone here will label me as acting 'entitled' but I can assure I maybe many things but not that.
Sep 6, 2018, 12:00 pm
#20
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
The passenger doesn't want to lend you his pen so you came to tattle on him?
Edit: I might notice and compliment you on it, so watch out! No issues traveling with an fountain pen (expansion or leaking)? I have cheap ones (vintage Schaeffers and a Pilot) but travel with a ballpoint.
No issues traveling with an fountain pen (expansion or leaking)? I have cheap ones (vintage Schaeffers and a Pilot) but travel with a ballpoint.
Last edited by Gig103; Sep 6, 2018 at 12:06 pm
Sep 6, 2018, 12:31 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: DAL
Posts: 1,447
I will not lend out my space pen but I will loan out a cheap pen since I have loaned and lost one space pen.
Flight attendants have always offered pens for any form to fill out during the flight for customs.
Flight attendants have always offered pens for any form to fill out during the flight for customs.
Sep 6, 2018, 12:31 pm
#22
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OH
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, Marriot Lifetime Gold
Posts: 9,539
Please consider that he may have only been carrying a “nice” and valuable pen. In my pocket I usually have a Mont Blanc pen I have used for 29 years. Once at a trade show I lent it to another agents’ customer, who walked off with it after writing her order. After my associate’s urgent cellphone call I got it back, but I don’t hand it out anymore.
Sep 6, 2018, 12:58 pm
#23
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,808
I am on the pen owner's side. He has no obligation to give you his things, and you placing your bags away is not his problem or concern. You knew you had a pen somewhere, just go get it. People are allowed to say no to your requests.
And arrivals form on a domestic flight?
And arrivals form on a domestic flight?
Sep 6, 2018, 2:53 pm
#24
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 411
The passenger doesn't want to lend you his pen so you came to tattle on him?
Edit: I might notice and compliment you on it, so watch out! No issues traveling with an fountain pen (expansion or leaking)? I have cheap ones (vintage Schaeffers and a Pilot) but travel with a ballpoint.
Edit: I might notice and compliment you on it, so watch out!
No issues traveling with an fountain pen (expansion or leaking)? I have cheap ones (vintage Schaeffers and a Pilot) but travel with a ballpoint.
Sep 6, 2018, 3:17 pm
#25
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Southern California
Programs: AA EXPlat, 2.4MM; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 580
Surprisingly, nobody has accused the OP of panhandling.
Sep 6, 2018, 4:00 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: JRF
Programs: AA Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,784
I sincerely hope that the next time OP gets a new phone, some bum comes by and asks if he can make a phone call, then proceeds to drop the phone and shatter the screen and walks away.
Or better yet the next time he gets a new car, some ...... relative comes by and asks for a test drive but proceeds to crash it and refuses to pay up. When pushed, the answer should be: ''Who wouldn't let someone borrow their car!" among your extended family.
Or better yet the next time he gets a new car, some ...... relative comes by and asks for a test drive but proceeds to crash it and refuses to pay up. When pushed, the answer should be: ''Who wouldn't let someone borrow their car!" among your extended family.
Sep 6, 2018, 4:44 pm
#27
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Why don't the FAs just hand out pens? Flying into HND from HKG a couple months ago I noticed the FAs had a bundle of pens they carried with landing forms they handed out to passengers. Those pens also had the nice ANA branding on them so I asked for one even though I knew full well I had a working poem in my bag! Seems like a marketing opportunity missed!
Safe Travels,
James
Safe Travels,
James
Sep 6, 2018, 5:00 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,644
Sep 6, 2018, 5:00 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,543
I’ve loaned lots of pens, as well as asked for pens if mine are in my bag in the bin. Like anything, it’s a request, so if they can’t help out, you find someone else. Not a big deal.
Unless someone threw a drink in my face, or something really egregious, I’m not going to create a thread on FT about it.
Unless someone threw a drink in my face, or something really egregious, I’m not going to create a thread on FT about it.
Sep 6, 2018, 5:18 pm
#30
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, IHG, Enterprise, Avios, Nexus
Posts: 8,355
Why don't the FAs just hand out pens? Flying into HND from HKG a couple months ago I noticed the FAs had a bundle of pens they carried with landing forms they handed out to passengers. Those pens also had the nice ANA branding on them so I asked for one even though I knew full well I had a working poem in my bag! Seems like a marketing opportunity missed!
Safe Travels,
James
Safe Travels,
James