A person who travels a lot, whether for business or leisure, goes into auto mode when he or she enters into that zone where the trip begins — regardless of the mode of transport. Take jetsetters, for example. The minute they zip up their suitcases, they pretty much have an expectation of what needs to happen and what they need to do.
1. First, check-in (that is, if they haven’t done so online already).
2. Obtain boarding pass.
3. Drop luggage to check, if applicable.
4. Go through security — which has a sub-process on its own.
5. Once cleared, they wait in the lounge or hang around the gate until the flight is called for boarding.
6. Aboard, he or she buckles the seat belt.
7. Watch the safety procedure demonstration.
8. Then, switch off electronic equipment for take off.
9. Upon reaching cruising altitude, meals are served. Even in the shortest of flights, some kind of nuts and drinks will be offered.
10. In a short while, the fasten seat belts sign will come on again and the captain will announce that landing is in a few minutes.
11. When the plane lands and taxies to its spot, people begin to switch on their mobile phones even when the head flight attendant has just mentioned that ‘phones should remain switched off until you reach the terminal building.’
12. Then, one waits by the luggage belt where everyone is silently praying that his or her bag would turn up first or in my personal case, turn up at all!
Like I said, it is pretty much routine. It is so predictive that for one who does not speak the local language will be able to get by until he or she reaches his/her destination where, hopefully, they know people who do. There are exceptions, of course, but oftentimes, they are the extremes. However, today, I was first hand witness to an exception, which was pretty much really down to language barrier and a somewhat idiosyncratic policy.
On the BMI flight this afternoon to Edinburgh, I sat beside this man who is of Asian origin. At first, I didn’t think that he couldn’t speak English. He did look like this man who has done his fair bit of travelling. Okay, maybe not a jetsetter as he didn’t know how to unfold the tray for the middle seat. Anyway, BMI has this non-complimentary meals on domestic flights except for those travelling in business class and gold and silver members of their frequent flyer club. This was, of course, announced prior to the attendants pulling the trolley carts down the aisle. I paid for my coffee, shortbread and water. The person sitting on the aisle seat got her softdrink but the man sitting between us, simply waited until both of us were served. How gentlemanly, I thought. I then noticed that he hadn’t prepared any cash. It was then evident that he didn’t suspect that he had to pay for his coffee. Either he did not hear the announcement or he did not understand it.
“One pound and seventy five pence, sir,” says the flight attendant. Blank look. “It’s not free. You have to pay” Still blank look. “Money,” he said again motioning the concept by rubbing his fingers together. His colleague had noticed as well that the passenger could not understand what they were talking about. Moreso, the man had this surprised look on his face and probably thinking why he should have to pay for his coffee. In the end, he pulled out a ten pound note from his wallet and handed it over as payment.
Good thing he only ordered coffee and it was only a short flight. Can’t blame him for finding the concept ludicrous because refreshments on flights ARE part of the fare that you pay, unless you are flying Ryanair or Easyjet. At least he was well mannered and did not make a big fuss of it. I bet he’ll write it down to culture shock.
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