who are your rudest pax?
I usually try to give my pax the benefit of the doubt. We don't know what kind of a day they may have had before crossing our threshold. Not that it excuses out right rude behavior, it does make it a bit easier to tolerate. Killing them with kindness works for me. By this, I don't mean rewarding bad behavior but just not allowing their poor manners affect my good manners!
That said, some folks are just jerks.
Just don't let them get you down!
There can be culture differences that come into play as well. I hate it when some goof snaps their fingers to get my attention.
Dea
That said, some folks are just jerks.
Just don't let them get you down!There can be culture differences that come into play as well. I hate it when some goof snaps their fingers to get my attention.
Dea
The snapping finger bit I try to disfuse with a bit of humor. "Wow, you've got a nice beat going there! Let me get my tambourine and join in! Or did you require something else?" 
Said with a big smile, of course!
A good sense of humor is necessary for anyone dealing with the public. You can't take bad behavior by pax personally.
Dea
Said with a big smile, of course! A good sense of humor is necessary for anyone dealing with the public. You can't take bad behavior by pax personally.
Dea
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Hey, everyone, I travel by air, I work as ground staff and will soon be a qualified FO and hope to be working this side of Xmas. I have seen ill manered people on the gnd and in the air. I have rarely seen rude CC. The thing is, when I travel ( and maybe this is due to my upbringing) I WAIT to be offered something by the crew, I never use the call button and I sit quietly, look out the window or read my book until the cart arrives at my row. What is it with all these people who simply have never been brought up to have any manners!! I'm not even that old, I'm 38, but I was well brought up and received an education and learned some manners along the way. I work on the ground and I will tolerate pax who are getting stressed and a bit hot under the collar, but as soon as it turns in the slightest way abusive, I end it right there and then. They usually calm down when they see I won't tolerate it, the ones who don't I walk away from. Thing is, CC don't have that luxury, making it much harder for them. I DEPLORE alcohol being served at the airport!!! IT IS INSANE! I know airports need revenue etc etc, but it makes everyones lives sooooooo much more difficult. At least there should be no bars airside. That way drunk pax can be screened at check-in and refused a pass, told to sober up and maybe get the next flight, then once again screened going through security, where there are enough guys and girls on duty to refuse them access airside and deal with the stroppy ones. I have worked boarding gates alone ( work for small regional) and believe me, 3 drunks at the gate is very intimidating, especially as you try and come up with the right words to try and tell them they should not fly and hope you don't get ypur nose broken. BAN THE BOOZE! Or maybe issue vouchers for a limited amount of drinks per pax once airside? Anyway, I'm rambling a bit but I find that alcohol ( see stag and hen parties) is a major cause of rudness and bad behaviour ( obviously) so why not start there!
Anyway, I find that as staff or as a pax, if people are nice to me and if I am nice to staff, so much more is obtained! Unfortunately, some pax seem to think that if you shout loudly enough and are aggressive enough, you'll eventually get what you want by intimidation and by not backing down. NOT TRUE! I once had a bloke who started shouting at me as soon as one of the girls at check-in told him he would have to pay excess luggage. He went straight on the offensive! ...........but he paid in the end!
Rant over, I love flying and I hate obnoxious people who ruin my journey!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, I find that as staff or as a pax, if people are nice to me and if I am nice to staff, so much more is obtained! Unfortunately, some pax seem to think that if you shout loudly enough and are aggressive enough, you'll eventually get what you want by intimidation and by not backing down. NOT TRUE! I once had a bloke who started shouting at me as soon as one of the girls at check-in told him he would have to pay excess luggage. He went straight on the offensive! ...........but he paid in the end!
Rant over, I love flying and I hate obnoxious people who ruin my journey!!!!!!!!!
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I had a pax snap his fingers at me on the plane. It was NRT-DTW, but the flight, and about 80% of the pax count, originated in MNL. I found those flights especially difficult, because there were so many cultural differences between crew and pax, and the FA/pax ratio was so low (or high? no, low; what I'm trying to say is that there were not very many FAs for how full the plane was). Plus so many pax has SO MANY carry on bags, most of which I thought should have been checked (they were so big! I never understood how they were allowed on in the first place). Overhead compartments would fill up when only about half the passengers had boarded, and I found it very stressful telling people they had to check their bags, because my Tagalog is nonexistent (our interpreters only spoke Japanese), and sometimes the pax's English was about as good as my Tagalog.
When I was flying I generally tried to avoid going to Florida. I found those flights very stressful, for many of the same reasons above: too many carry on bags and not enough space for them; too few FAs for the quality of service I wanted to provide to a full plane. I also didn't like the layovers - hot and humid are not my thing!
When I was flying I generally tried to avoid going to Florida. I found those flights very stressful, for many of the same reasons above: too many carry on bags and not enough space for them; too few FAs for the quality of service I wanted to provide to a full plane. I also didn't like the layovers - hot and humid are not my thing!
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I once had an angry business man throw his bag at me because it woudn't fit in the overhead.
He was last on the plane, very grumpy and stressed and I was Cabin Crew No 3 standing by the overwing in my boarding position. I smiled at him and said hello and he just glared at me and barked 'where can I sit?' It was a late Friday evening flight to Glasgow, so as you can imagine we were pretty full of tired people in suits wanting to go home. It was the 3rd sector for us.
He found a seat and then wouldn't stow his huge case with his laptop in-he wanted it on his lap. I explained nicely that it would have to be stowed for landing and take off. He snapped 'why?' so I explained for safety reasons and he said 'well if we crash we'll die anyway,' or something like that.
The Purser was really nice and saw I was struggling so came over to help me. I went to find space in the overhead locker and the only space was right at the back of the plane. He then THREW his bag at me (clever move seeing it had his laptop in) and told me to stick it up my a**. Smooth or what? Lukily being a ballet dancer I'm pretty quick on my feet 
He got offloaded. The other pax were really nice and shocked by his rudeness.
My point is that passengers like that can be found on any route. Every country has such rude people.
And I was polite to him as you can see, didn't reply in a heated way to his comments as I thought that would inflame the situation. I always think by being polite to the rude person you have the moral high ground. It didn't make that pax any less horrible but at least he didn't get even angrier.
I have also had pax comment on my job eg 'why don't you get a better job love and do something with your life?'
Me: *Big smile* "Oh I have a degree actually. I'm doing this job as it's fun and I get to travel."
These sorts of comments annoy me A LOT, who are you to comment on my profession?
He was last on the plane, very grumpy and stressed and I was Cabin Crew No 3 standing by the overwing in my boarding position. I smiled at him and said hello and he just glared at me and barked 'where can I sit?' It was a late Friday evening flight to Glasgow, so as you can imagine we were pretty full of tired people in suits wanting to go home. It was the 3rd sector for us.
He found a seat and then wouldn't stow his huge case with his laptop in-he wanted it on his lap. I explained nicely that it would have to be stowed for landing and take off. He snapped 'why?' so I explained for safety reasons and he said 'well if we crash we'll die anyway,' or something like that.
The Purser was really nice and saw I was struggling so came over to help me. I went to find space in the overhead locker and the only space was right at the back of the plane. He then THREW his bag at me (clever move seeing it had his laptop in) and told me to stick it up my a**.
Smooth or what? Lukily being a ballet dancer I'm pretty quick on my feet He got offloaded. The other pax were really nice and shocked by his rudeness.
My point is that passengers like that can be found on any route. Every country has such rude people.
And I was polite to him as you can see, didn't reply in a heated way to his comments as I thought that would inflame the situation. I always think by being polite to the rude person you have the moral high ground. It didn't make that pax any less horrible but at least he didn't get even angrier.
I have also had pax comment on my job eg 'why don't you get a better job love and do something with your life?'
Me: *Big smile* "Oh I have a degree actually. I'm doing this job as it's fun and I get to travel."
These sorts of comments annoy me A LOT, who are you to comment on my profession?
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worst passengers debate
* Bad manners are democratic. You can find rude and fine latin/asian/american/european/african/etc. passengers.
* The cabin crew´s job is a tough one: After a normal flight most passengers will not remember the airline because of the optimal maintenance of the airplane brakes but for the good food, wine and service of the cabin crew.
*My respects to all of you.
* The cabin crew´s job is a tough one: After a normal flight most passengers will not remember the airline because of the optimal maintenance of the airplane brakes but for the good food, wine and service of the cabin crew.
*My respects to all of you.
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At the Gate of a delayed flight: SUMMER:
Charter Pax - 'You dont care about us now you've has us (sic) money'
Dispatcher - 'On the contrary sir, i need all of you'.
Charter Pax - 'Aye, I pay your wages'
Dispatcher - 'That and the fact i need you as ballast to make the plane fly straight . . . .'
Sometimes they are ALL just a number to the man on the end of the Loadsheet. . .well, ALL times really!
TMD
Charter Pax - 'You dont care about us now you've has us (sic) money'
Dispatcher - 'On the contrary sir, i need all of you'.
Charter Pax - 'Aye, I pay your wages'
Dispatcher - 'That and the fact i need you as ballast to make the plane fly straight . . . .'
Sometimes they are ALL just a number to the man on the end of the Loadsheet. . .well, ALL times really!
TMD
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Ams-lhr
crikey AMS, you won't get very far with that attitude!! sometimes the finger clicking is a cultural difference and something you will just need to take in your stride. you really cannot refuse to serve someone just because they attract your attention in a manner not to your liking!!
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Here's a simple solution for pax who click their fingers at you:
Say "are you ok?" (or similar), then NICELY explain that clicking their fingers at you is not very nice and to please not do it again.
I've said this a fair few times and usually, the pax in question apologises profusely and explains they didn't realise it was rude in our culture.
The same goes for tugging/poking of body parts/items of crew clothing. I simply say "please don't touch me/poke me/tug at my clothes, as I don't like it". That usually makes them understand that it's not acceptable.
Gg
Say "are you ok?" (or similar), then NICELY explain that clicking their fingers at you is not very nice and to please not do it again.
I've said this a fair few times and usually, the pax in question apologises profusely and explains they didn't realise it was rude in our culture.
The same goes for tugging/poking of body parts/items of crew clothing. I simply say "please don't touch me/poke me/tug at my clothes, as I don't like it". That usually makes them understand that it's not acceptable.
Gg
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The worst passengers in my view are those that blatantly and purposefully ignore you 
- especially on greeting them onboard or asking them a polite question.
It really used to bug me until i considered that they must be that bloomin miserable in general to behave like that.......
Our Nice (France) passengers usually give us a run for our money and come up with a plethora of excuses for an upgrade
I have to say that the only time in 20 years i have seen a passenger make another one cry was an american couple who gave an elderly gentile british couple hell by shouting "you are ruining our luxury holiday experience by talking ", which they weren't loudly- and they just did this to shut them up.
It was the mostly ghastly display of evil self-importance i have witnessed onboard, and we gave them an absolute and deserved dressing down.
Other than that, it is the ones who selfishly bring on 3 large pieces of handbaggage and get nasty when they can't stow it that must be among the worst
- especially on greeting them onboard or asking them a polite question.It really used to bug me until i considered that they must be that bloomin miserable in general to behave like that.......
Our Nice (France) passengers usually give us a run for our money and come up with a plethora of excuses for an upgrade
I have to say that the only time in 20 years i have seen a passenger make another one cry was an american couple who gave an elderly gentile british couple hell by shouting "you are ruining our luxury holiday experience by talking ", which they weren't loudly- and they just did this to shut them up.
It was the mostly ghastly display of evil self-importance i have witnessed onboard, and we gave them an absolute and deserved dressing down.
Other than that, it is the ones who selfishly bring on 3 large pieces of handbaggage and get nasty when they can't stow it that must be among the worst
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Just out of curiosity, can you explain why your culture should always take precedence over that of the people who pay your salary?
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I take your point, Christep. However, just because someone pays my salary doesn't give them the right to knowingly offend me. In the case of snapping fingers, I would politely point out that since they are heading to Britain, their cultural practice will offend people when they get there.
I once had a woman give me the two fingered salute to indicate "two". I laughed and told her what it meant and not to do it to anyone when we landed. She saw the funny side and was my buddy for the rest of the flight.
In some cultures it is considered acceptable to pinch a lady's buttocks if you find her attractive. Try doing that in the UK (or a UK airline for that matter) and see if you keep your face on.
I once had a woman give me the two fingered salute to indicate "two". I laughed and told her what it meant and not to do it to anyone when we landed. She saw the funny side and was my buddy for the rest of the flight.
In some cultures it is considered acceptable to pinch a lady's buttocks if you find her attractive. Try doing that in the UK (or a UK airline for that matter) and see if you keep your face on.
Last edited by VS-LHRCSA; 18th Sep 2007 at 15:54.
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That's going along the same line as 'Well I pay your salary so I can verbally/physically/sexually assult you.'
Just because someone is paying your salary that doesn't mean they can do what they want to you.
In some cultures they may stone women to death. Well you wouldn't let someone do that on your plane would you?
Just because someone is paying your salary that doesn't mean they can do what they want to you.
In some cultures they may stone women to death. Well you wouldn't let someone do that on your plane would you?
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I think there is a lot of very rude pax out there stepping over the line every single day.
However, CC (especially british) must also learn that there is difference in cultures that THEY will have to learn themselves. I find a lot of my own crew complaining when flying to scandinavia and northern Europe because the pax doesn't say "please" all the ******* time.
CREW have to learn that some cultures says things in a different way, and that is not being rude, so when you correct these pax (on the way home to their own countries), then YOU GUYS are the rude and dominant ones for correcting them in their way of asking or saying things.
This is one of the reasons in my oppinion that not everybody is cut out to work as cabin crew. It takes a strong personality to be able to accept, and adapt, on a daily basis to other cultures behavior in a personal and proffessional way.
And why should we all adapt to the English behaviour anyway. There are so many more less political correct and relaxed cultures that we could adapt to instead (putting on my bullet proof jacket and digging a hole now)
I always back up my crew if there is problems, but some crew needs to open their eyes as well, and I don't mean to look for the stunning pax
Ready for incomming!!
However, CC (especially british) must also learn that there is difference in cultures that THEY will have to learn themselves. I find a lot of my own crew complaining when flying to scandinavia and northern Europe because the pax doesn't say "please" all the ******* time.
CREW have to learn that some cultures says things in a different way, and that is not being rude, so when you correct these pax (on the way home to their own countries), then YOU GUYS are the rude and dominant ones for correcting them in their way of asking or saying things.
This is one of the reasons in my oppinion that not everybody is cut out to work as cabin crew. It takes a strong personality to be able to accept, and adapt, on a daily basis to other cultures behavior in a personal and proffessional way.
And why should we all adapt to the English behaviour anyway. There are so many more less political correct and relaxed cultures that we could adapt to instead (putting on my bullet proof jacket and digging a hole now)
I always back up my crew if there is problems, but some crew needs to open their eyes as well, and I don't mean to look for the stunning pax
Ready for incomming!!
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QUOTE "Just out of curiosity, can you explain why your culture should always take precedence over that of the people who pay your salary?"
At the end of the day it comes down to manners, I don't believe that any culture thinks it is acceptable to put hand up and click fingers to get attention!
If you’re flying on a UK plane then you should adapt to the UK crew. Just like if you’re on an internal flight in Spain on a Spanish airline we should have to respect Spanish culture.
I remember recently when I was working out of MXP doing an internal flight from MXP to PMO, a passenger asked me why I did not speak Italian, and I said that easyJet is an English airline therefore we speak English.
I fly all over Europe and have many different cultured people onboard and yes some of them do not say please or thank you and you get used to that, I don't think I would go as far as having a word with them, but I agree with 'Glamgirl' for speaking to that passenger.
At the end of the day it’s not all to do with culture; you can have someone English having a bad day who may not say please or thank you. There could be many many reasons why people act as they do, what we see and hear of them is the tip or a very large iceberg!
At the end of the day it comes down to manners, I don't believe that any culture thinks it is acceptable to put hand up and click fingers to get attention!
If you’re flying on a UK plane then you should adapt to the UK crew. Just like if you’re on an internal flight in Spain on a Spanish airline we should have to respect Spanish culture.
I remember recently when I was working out of MXP doing an internal flight from MXP to PMO, a passenger asked me why I did not speak Italian, and I said that easyJet is an English airline therefore we speak English.
I fly all over Europe and have many different cultured people onboard and yes some of them do not say please or thank you and you get used to that, I don't think I would go as far as having a word with them, but I agree with 'Glamgirl' for speaking to that passenger.
At the end of the day it’s not all to do with culture; you can have someone English having a bad day who may not say please or thank you. There could be many many reasons why people act as they do, what we see and hear of them is the tip or a very large iceberg!