Do you mind if I borrow your pen?
Sep 6, 2018, 10:43 pm
#46
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 51
Travelers should help travelers . Actually people should help other people but especially travelers should help travelers . It's easy to forget something or misplace something and not realize until too late .
Sep 6, 2018, 10:49 pm
#47
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Qatar, Turkish, Aeroflot
Posts: 546
Who DOESN'T carry a pen with them these days? I mean come on.
This is exactly why I reply with a blunt 'no' to anyone asking.
This is exactly why I reply with a blunt 'no' to anyone asking.
Sep 6, 2018, 11:47 pm
#48
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Bonvoy LT Titanium ANA Diamond
Posts: 763
You asked a question and got a clear answer, they only person to be criticized is you, stupidity for not having a pen and then for absolute childish rudeness.
Entitled??DUH !
Entitled??DUH !
Sep 7, 2018, 1:29 am
#49
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London / Los Angeles
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, BA Silver
Posts: 1,631
Most likely, you just caught someone having a bad day and in a foul mood. I think it is a bit strange but it is his pen so i am not sure if it is rude. Best course of action is to shrug it off and say "OK no problem".
Sep 7, 2018, 1:59 am
#50
Join Date: May 2017
Location: BRU
Programs: Miles & More FTL
Posts: 39
I must say that I am suprised by the replies here. I would probably never refuse to lend a pen to anyone, as a matter of courtesy.
I find it even less defensible as it was a cheap one and this happened in a confined space.
Sure, you have the right not to lend your pen and the OP's comment that ensued was unnecessary, but refusing to help when it comes at no cost to you is a sad behaviour in my opinion...
I find it even less defensible as it was a cheap one and this happened in a confined space.
Sure, you have the right not to lend your pen and the OP's comment that ensued was unnecessary, but refusing to help when it comes at no cost to you is a sad behaviour in my opinion...
Sep 7, 2018, 2:24 am
#51
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Indo Jungle
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,319
Anyone can borrow any of my pens at any time.
Sep 7, 2018, 2:31 am
#52
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
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 7, 2018, 2:44 am
#53
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Bonvoy LTTitanium, BAEC Silver
Posts: 591
I must say that I am suprised by the replies here. I would probably never refuse to lend a pen to anyone, as a matter of courtesy.
I find it even less defensible as it was a cheap one and this happened in a confined space.
Sure, you have the right not to lend your pen and the OP's comment that ensued was unnecessary, but refusing to help when it comes at no cost to you is a sad behaviour in my opinion...
I find it even less defensible as it was a cheap one and this happened in a confined space.
Sure, you have the right not to lend your pen and the OP's comment that ensued was unnecessary, but refusing to help when it comes at no cost to you is a sad behaviour in my opinion...
Sep 7, 2018, 2:48 am
#54
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Bonvoy LTTitanium, BAEC Silver
Posts: 591
Sep 7, 2018, 3:03 am
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,222
How does one know the guy hasn't had a recent dump without washing his hands? I hate people that ask to borrow a pen.
Sep 7, 2018, 4:22 am
#56
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Prince Edward Island
Programs: Air Canada P25K, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, MGM Gold
Posts: 1,582
Sep 7, 2018, 4:31 am
#57
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: NAS
Posts: 61
Just two weeks ago, I was in the same predicament as the OP. I was going from the US to Canada and had a brand new carry on bag with me.
When the flight attendant started passing out entry forms, that's when I realized that I forgot to pack any pens in my new carry on. The flight attendants specifically said that they did not have any pens and to ask your neighbor.
Well, I was in the first class cabin and my neighbor didn't look too friendly so I decided not to ask him.
Upon arrival, my plan was to hope they had tables, forms, and pens before immigration. My hope turned out to be true. I used one of those bank pens on a line connected to the table. It ended up being a 2minute delay but to me was itworth it over facing an awkward situation .
I personally have no problems loaning a pen but just don't want to bother anyone.
When the flight attendant started passing out entry forms, that's when I realized that I forgot to pack any pens in my new carry on. The flight attendants specifically said that they did not have any pens and to ask your neighbor.
Well, I was in the first class cabin and my neighbor didn't look too friendly so I decided not to ask him.
Upon arrival, my plan was to hope they had tables, forms, and pens before immigration. My hope turned out to be true. I used one of those bank pens on a line connected to the table. It ended up being a 2minute delay but to me was itworth it over facing an awkward situation .
I personally have no problems loaning a pen but just don't want to bother anyone.
Sep 7, 2018, 4:39 am
#58
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, IHG, Enterprise, Avios, Nexus
Posts: 8,355
Yes, it is too bad he doesn't have OMNI access. He'll find many like-minded posters there.
Sep 7, 2018, 5:22 am
#59
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 11
Some people are just selfish, but I can see reasonable reasons behind the refusal.
I personally wash my hands at the first chance I get after getting off an airplane because the surfaces are so contaminated by dirt, grime, DNA, and micro-organisms. Airplanes, and the people on them, are generally gross.
I don't want a stranger handling my pen - I don't know where your hands have been! It isn't your seat neighbor's responsibility to have a pen for you. Even though it would have been nice of him to loan the pen, he is within his rights to be selfish and I'm sure you found plenty of pens in the CBP area at your arrival airport and went about your day with minimal delay anyway.
I personally wash my hands at the first chance I get after getting off an airplane because the surfaces are so contaminated by dirt, grime, DNA, and micro-organisms. Airplanes, and the people on them, are generally gross.
I don't want a stranger handling my pen - I don't know where your hands have been! It isn't your seat neighbor's responsibility to have a pen for you. Even though it would have been nice of him to loan the pen, he is within his rights to be selfish and I'm sure you found plenty of pens in the CBP area at your arrival airport and went about your day with minimal delay anyway.
Sep 7, 2018, 5:32 am
#60
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: London, UK
Posts: 8
I have to admit, i am from the hotel pens group - always carry one or even 2 for international flights.
On a related note... I do get momentarily offended when the flight attendant presumes I need to fill out a landing card on flights back home to London where I am born... Grrr....calm down....ok now....
Oh and why do we even need landing cards still? Can this genuinely still not be automated??? ...so I finally get to retain my souvenir hotel pen for myself.
Last edited by littlemissflyer; Sep 7, 2018 at 5:41 am