Paxing staff courtesy
In the early days I always identified staff pax from the pax list and extended courtesy to them. Upgrades if possible otherwise just general "extras". Cleaners, baggage handlers, it did not matter they were always acknowledged by me. Other airlines crews ditto. One principle I did not deviate from was that if any operating crew members parents were on board they were always upgraded to First class, if possible, and that happened in 98% of cases.
Toward the end of my career there were too many company spies, too many "fellow" crew members prepared to dob you in because they were not upgraded on their last flight. I know that because of my attitude my family travelled very comfortably and/or were never ignored.
Its truly unfortunate that crew members today cannot look beyond their next rostered trip.
Bring back the good old days.