A slight Twist on the macho male thing. I've been helping with the PFA Young Eagles/Aviator experience flights for a few years now and I've noticed that there's a big difference in the way the Boys and Girls react.
The Girls are very open about the whole thing. Most enjoy the experience and let the world and his wife know about it, a few are scared and therefore are a bit diffident but do show proper gratitude.
The Boys all try to act cool 'n' hard so apart from the poor unfortunates who get airsick and get the living !!!!! ripped out of them by the rest there's very little response just grunts and incoherent mumblings.
This has led to a number of pilots saying stuff the ungrateful little sods I'm not doing that again.
However it transpires that on the ride home in the minibus the general and fairly loud concensus of opinion is that it was really cool. Apparently showning enthusiasm for an organised activity in front of the olds is not the done thing.
There are exceptions though, we've run a few scout camps and them little beggers have no qualms about showing their enthusiasm both boys and girls.
Mind you, the if ain't on telly it aint real factor seems to be quite prevalent these days!