In some countries outside your own (the US), it is QUITE disrespectful. Sorry if you can't grasp the concept that there may be cultural differences. Not everyone flying AA is from the country.

And please don't jump to conclusions by using acronyms like "DYKWIA". You don't know me.

Names issue apart, what is it like when FAs spend their sweet time in their galley chit-chating with themselves? Isn't it cheating their employer who pays them for work and not for amusing themselves?

I have not had an asian airline would call me by my first name, not even UA ! So you can see if this practice is acceptable or not. I don't believe there is one airline would train their FA to call their pax by their first name. It is simply not a proper way to do this.

As a UA 1Ker, lately I have ben flying AA PHX-MIA-PHX. I have to say, the service on this route is FAR BETTER then what I have gotten on UA. The food is miles ahead then what is served on UA for the same distance. But then again I have never flown international on both airlines so I can't comment of that service. But I find it hard for anyone to make a judgement call after one flight...

hmm...let's see...my screename is Spanish...yep, the American Culture is not my culture. Like you said, you don't know me. I can certainly grasp the cultural differences.

I always ask FA's to call me by my first name. The fact that I'm flying in Business or First does not mean I'm better then them. I don't fill my head of ideas of grandeur just because I fly in the front of the plane. Looks like a few of you could learn some humility and be thankful you fly in the front.

This whole post doesn't seem to me to be so much of a trip report but something of a comparison of carrier services. Not really fun to read at all for this regular TR forum reader. No photos, no menus, no other interesting detail. I would suggest moving it to AA forum...

I agree personally, but I also get that some may not like it.

Those two statements seem fairly contradictory to me. Like others, I was brought up to call strangers (and people older than me) by their surname unless invited to do so.

I'm frequently addressed as "sir" at a coffee shop, let alone when flying anything other than Y. The next step would be Mr. Estate, and finally by my first name.

Addressing someone by their surname doesn't mean you they're better than you, it's just a level of repsect that should be automatically afforded to a customer, especially someone who has paid a lot of money to be there. If you think calling someone sir or madam, or even by their title and surname makes them better than you, I suggest you try your hand at some form of hospitality work - you'll soon realise it's simply not how it works.

For the record: I often ask FAs to call me by my first name, but I greatly appreciate that they first address me by my surname.

Call me new age, but I think the over formalization of society has run its course. My new doctor even introduced himself as "Hi, I'm Frank", no more "Hi, I'm Dr. So and So". I actually prefer it, instead of putting himself up on a pedestal, it shows me that they are there to be my partner. I think last names should be reserved for government forms. But at the same time, I completely understand where you are coming from, I have family from an asian country and they call each other by their last names, not first. So instead of say, "hey first name, come over here", they say "hey last name, come over here". It was weird to me at first, but I've grown used to it.

Spoken with true humility. A man of the people. Do you hang your own coat and hop up to the galley to cook your own meal as well?

Be careful with your phrasing. Addressing someone by his surname alone obviously means that you think he is your peer or social inferior. Title and surname is rather different.

cheers,

Henry

Seems to be far from CX F.

Exactly. I'm as apple-pie american as they come, and I resent the service industry's slouch towards familiarity. It comes across as fake-folksy at best and lazy at worst. Whether in Y, C, or F, I expect Mr. followed by an attempt at my last name. Any attempt will do.

And to steer back towards relevance, I would add that UA sounds like they do a beter job at this than AA.

Difference between paying for the service and expecting it as if it were your birthright. I don't look down on the service industry as it once filled my own pockets when at College. I openly engage in conversation and enjoy getting to know them. I'll take it you want your food and beverage and can't wait to get rid of the FA from your sight.

Not at all. I just particularly appreciate FAs serving F/J and other service providers at luxury hotels or fine restaurants who take their profession seriously and endeavor to provide a high standard of service. Addressing pax in an F/J name by surname is an appropriate way to begin the interaction, that's my only point. A pax can certainly ask to be called by their first name if that is they way the pax prefers. Nobody is talking about birthright, but customers expect a different experience at Le Cirque than Jack in the Box and the same goes for when they are flying F than if they choose go EasyJet.