Although not related to the aviation industry, My sister told me the following as she is ex-cc and I thought I would share this from a good few years ago. She swears it was true.
During a flight from Man on a Dan-Air or Britannia flight, (Sis worked for both) the vegetarian meal being served was particularly grim. Some pax had suddenly become carnivores when they realised how bad the veggie meal was. Unfortunately there was not many spare meals, so eventually my sister served a local low life the veggie option (which had been requested), but news had already got to him and he refused it. As there were no more non-vegetarian meals available, she apologised and tried unsuccessfully to pacify him. He became extremely abusive and eventually brought my sister to tears. She was unable to resolve the problem and informed a more Senior CC. He stated he would deal with the pax and the conversation apparently went something like this:
CC: Excuse me Sir, what is the problem?
Pax: There is no bleep bleep meals.
CC: Well sir, that is because you ordered a vegetarian option and there are no other meals left to provide an alternative.
Pax: I didnt order any bleep bleep bleep etc etc veggie meals and your airlines bleep bleep awful and I want the meal with meat now.
CC: Well, i'm awfully sorry, I will take a report from you and look into it. However I'm dyslexic (He wasn't) and I would like you to spell out the words for me to write down if that is okay.
Pax: Explains the situation,spelling out words (to the best of his limited ability)
CC: But sir, you have appeared to have left out the letter F in 'meat'.
Pax: But theres no 'F' in meat.
CC: Exactly Sir!
This met with loud laughter and applause from pax within earshot. The pax apparently was quiet as a lamb after this.
