Now this is interesting...
I have worked with crew (on both sides of the door) who have either had or hadn't had customer service experience. Evacu8 - you may not see it, but it shows...A LOT! Maybe you're the example to the rule, I certainly hope so...conversely, having experience doesn't always guarantee the best person for the job...but I would much rather have someone on board who knew how to handle the public over someone who didn't - experience is a teacher in this - I've worked for 2 different airlines (now on my third - and no I wasn't sacked or retrenched by any of them)...
True you can learn customer service simply by being on the job...but it's not everyone's cup of tea (nor is flying for that matter). At least if someone has had an exposure to it, they have the necessary skills to deal with a range of issues on board themselves. Then again, that's QF - you guys do your thing,
VB will do theirs, and we will do ours...
By the way Evacu8, you may want to let your views on customer service experience known on Galley Gossip at the QF crew website...if the bigwigs at QF didn't think it was important either, then maybe they wouldn't insist in people having at least 2 yrs customer service experience, including pref. food and beverage, before they join?!? Just a thought...it's in the application forms, on the website, etc...
If you need to be told that the safety demo isn't a laughing matter, then what can I say...true, 'cats bum' lips aren't nice to look at...but provided you can clearly indicate the operation of various equipment (oxygen masks are always a delight!), who wins? Everyone - cause when the proverbial hits the engine intake, everyone knows what to do (well - 90% or thereabout - that's why we yell the drills, isn't it?)
Sure -
VB isn't everyone's cup of tea - and I bear no grudges against any crew or staff member...that's why I work at a different airline. But if there's one thing we should all be consistent in is our vigilence in cabin safety - if we can't take ourselves seriously when it matters, then how can the punters???
Have a giggle - and goddammit,face paint as well if the company tells you to do it - but don't take the safety demo lightly. Considering we are now carrying more first time fliers than ever, it might be an idea to at least instill some confidence in them by showing that when it comes to safety, we at least behave accordingly.