21 August 2007

Passengers, the good, the bad and the rude!

One of the things I love most about my job is the fact I get to study people and get paid for it. Well, I suppose my employer would say they pay me for serving passengers, but why split hairs?? These past few flights I have had a very interesting cross section of passengers that exemplify everything good and bad about people.

The good- the LOVELY couple that sat in 12HJ on my last San Francisco-London flight. I suppose I could describe them as 'women who wear comfortable shoes'. They are the kind of 'old school' couple that resemble each other they have been paired up so long, finishing each others sentences. They brought us a HUGE box of Sees candies, the type that is so large it is actually heavy. I have actually never seen a box so large and imagine it is usually purchased by a man that has comitted a serious relationship error. It was gift wrapped and with it was the most touching part of all, the note. It thanked us for all we did everyday, for being well trained and hoping that all that training never had to be used. They also stated they would never forget September 11th. The note, paraphrased poorly , was what stayed with me . I am sure the 5+ chocolates will have residual staying power, but the fact these ladies thought of us in advance really got me. Sadly, as they were transferring through London with a liquid restriction- we could not offer a return gift. They replied that us doing our jobs was all the thanks they wanted!!!

The bad-the JERK in 13J on the way to San Francisco. We often have cruise ship passengers travelling in business class- they are paying full fare and deserve the good service that comes with it. They do, however, need to remember that I am not PingPong the Phillipino servant that put dogs made of sunglasses on their beds next to the mints. This JERK had a seat malfunction before takeoff, it was repaired about 3 minutes later. After the meal he came into the galley and carped about how his bed would not go down. Thinking he expected a lie flat seat , I replied that it merely reclines,not goes flat. He snapped that the 'frickin thing' would not recline at all. Again, within 3 minutes the seat easily went back- he had been pressing the wrong button. He then barked'Thats all it reclines, thats SHIT!!'. Thanks for the cursing, pal. During the flight he easily drank a bottle and a half of champagne. Later, he actually clapped his hands loudly and repeatedly to get water. He looked so much like a seal I wanted to throw him a fish rather than get him a drink. By the end of the flight even his wife screamed at him to shut up, he was pissing her off too!! men like that make me happy to wake up alone. (Well for a day anyway.)


02 August 2007

Happy Birthday Cindy!!


Tonight is my best friend's 40th birthday party. Cindy turned 40 yesterday, but being the money loving girls that we are, she worked her birthday to enjoy the holiday pay that accompanies it. We have been friends since about our 23rd birthday, back when leggings were last fashionable. They weren't attractive then either, looking back at photos.
The champagne is chilling, the sushi is purchased, the desserts are in the fridge..... Now if I could only stop puttering on the puter and start cleaning the house- this party could really get started. Cindy, I never thought about 40 when we met- let me know what its like!!! Love, Your slightly younger best friend!!


01 August 2007

La Tomatina!!!


Every once in a while you plan a holiday that gives you pause. My plans to go to, and participate in, La Tomatina in Spain is one of those holidays. Either it will be the most brilliant fun ever..... or I will develop a hatred of all things tomato, there can be no inbetween.

This trip began innocently one lazy day in a travel book store in Covent garden with my friend Jim. I innocently flipped through a Lonely Planet book of festivals and came across this one. My how things would be different if I had opened to the page about Oberammergau or New Orleans. But Bunel it was, and now I plan my trip to willingly throw tomatoes and have them thrown at me. This Lucy and Ethel trip has grown to 6 attendees, all of whom will pelt me mercilessly.

Did I mention you are supposed to wear white to this?? Maybe it is sponsored by Shout!- the official stain remover of La Tomatina?? So tomorrow is my day to purchase a white outfit that I will never wear after the day, possibly some goggles as well...Wish us luck!