It would only seem sensible to listen to those who have your comfort and safety in mind. If someone requires the law to convince them to listen, I would suggest they have much greater personal issues to deal with.
By all means ask why you've been asked to do something before you decide you know better and simply ignore your crew.
As crew, we're not preoccupied with the reasons of your travel, the emails you need to write, the calls you need to make or the size of your bladder. So we're there if your priorities may compromise your safety and that of those around you.
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