Originally Posted by
Boabity
[...]but I wouldn’t be too surprised if you got told where to go.
[...]
KLM shouldn’t have to have a policy about it and cabin crew should not have to get involved. Same with people holding hands
KLM doesn’t have a policy on it. Unfortunately certain KLM media departments did not react smart enough on leading and provocative questions. As you can see in this forum, some people have a tendency to pull things out of context and put a spin to it just to falsely put a certain stamp others.
Reagarding the breast feeding case: there are two sides of the story and in order not to escalate the matter, KLM decided not to enter into a discussion.
KLM has a no-nonsense, straight-forward approach with -as explained- a culture in which mutual understanding and compromises are key. Furthermore the laws that apply on board are one of the most liberal and minority friendly in the world.
We receive a lot of training in how to approach different cultures. However, when push comes to shove directions of the crew need to be followed. Nowadays indeed I am not surprised anymore that we as crew “are told to go somewhere”, due to selfishness of the respective passenger. Everybody thinks he can do what he wants because it is normal to him. You have no idea what we see on board; from painting nails to putting their bare feet on the seat in front.
Albeit not illegal, and maybe normal for the respective person, it could be disturbing for passengers that have a different point of view based on culture, religion, norms and values, you name it. Crew will most probably approach these passengers and will constructively start a conversation where understanding for their opinion is brought up (as we are westerners our self), but also is tried to let the respective pax gain insight in opposite views. Acceptance for the latter is what is missing a lot nowadays.
We are liberal and if someone complains about a gay couple holding hands, off course the person complaining will be told off. However, when a couple (gay or straight) is wildly making out, they could be asked to please stop to not offend others.
Those are the liberal norms and values of the Dutch and KLM.