Addressing passengers as 'guys'
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 312
Likes: 3
From: Earth
Earlier this year on a long haul flight.
The lady next to me was 68 years old and was adressed by the CC as 'babe'!! Totally inapropriate and unprofessional, a bit of respect for your customers would go a long way. Just as the crew should be treated with respect by the passengers.
The lady next to me was 68 years old and was adressed by the CC as 'babe'!! Totally inapropriate and unprofessional, a bit of respect for your customers would go a long way. Just as the crew should be treated with respect by the passengers.
Joined: Jun 2009
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Sweden
On my two recent flights with BA (LHR-NAR and back again) the female flight attendants, none of whom I knew personally, addressed me as "darling". I found this quite nice, if a bit surprising at first. (I'm 26.)
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Surrey/Bournemouth
Flew to SYD with Qantas earlier this year in F, used the "you can call me Chris", so they did. What really impressed me was 3 weeks later on the way home, I was welcomed on board by the same CC member with "Nice to see you on board again, Chris" - top marks!!!!!
Makes a big difference from the Concorde CSD who chatted for ages on the way to New York, then the next morning on the way home when I said "Hello again" gave it the "Sorry, do I know you?" routine!!!!!!!!!
Makes a big difference from the Concorde CSD who chatted for ages on the way to New York, then the next morning on the way home when I said "Hello again" gave it the "Sorry, do I know you?" routine!!!!!!!!!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 80
From: Bedford, UK
I'll settle for 'darling' too
but apart from formal announcements you can actually talk to people without using anything other than a polite tone. 'Hello, would you like something from the trolley'. No need for anything else. Guys is a ghastly Americanism anyway, like 'kids' (goats anyone ?) ?
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: usa
I don't like to be addressed as one of the "guys" either. It seems disrespectful to me for an airline employee to do so. Nor do I like to be called by my first name by someone I don't know at all.
The clear winner is Post #25.
The clear winner is Post #25.
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Planet Google
Guys and Kids 
Two of my pet hates followed closely by "Mate"!
I believe that all pax should be addressed initially, by both flight deck and the cabin crew, using "Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls" and then directly as "Sir" and if travelling with my wife as "Sir and Madam". With children what is wrong with refering to them as "boys and girls"? It was the way I was brought up and it is certainly the way my children are brought up.
However once settled in I will always tell the crew that my name is "AMCP", my wife will always say her name and our children will give their christian names. It breaks the ice and is simple good manners. I hate being addressed as Mister or Sir after the first "hello Sir", it makes me feel very old
And it works the other way. There is nothing worse than pax addressing crew as "sweetie" or whatever is the in word on the day. I can understand the older generation using words such as "Dear" but I have heard some ignorant 20 somethings adressing crew using it in a condesending way, most often when traveling in business and not at their own cost!
It is not however just a low cost or cabin crew issue, I have come across it in BA, EK, EI and others (though I am lead to believe that EI is now considered low cost!) as well as being addressed by ATC as mate! And it wasn't in Australia!
Maybe I am just old fashioned and out of touch
Two of my pet hates followed closely by "Mate"!
I believe that all pax should be addressed initially, by both flight deck and the cabin crew, using "Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls" and then directly as "Sir" and if travelling with my wife as "Sir and Madam". With children what is wrong with refering to them as "boys and girls"? It was the way I was brought up and it is certainly the way my children are brought up.
However once settled in I will always tell the crew that my name is "AMCP", my wife will always say her name and our children will give their christian names. It breaks the ice and is simple good manners. I hate being addressed as Mister or Sir after the first "hello Sir", it makes me feel very old
And it works the other way. There is nothing worse than pax addressing crew as "sweetie" or whatever is the in word on the day. I can understand the older generation using words such as "Dear" but I have heard some ignorant 20 somethings adressing crew using it in a condesending way, most often when traveling in business and not at their own cost!
It is not however just a low cost or cabin crew issue, I have come across it in BA, EK, EI and others (though I am lead to believe that EI is now considered low cost!) as well as being addressed by ATC as mate! And it wasn't in Australia!
Maybe I am just old fashioned and out of touch
Last edited by amostcivilpilot; 29th November 2009 at 12:55.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Europe
exactly...what about pax addressing crew as 'honey', 'darling', 'babe', snapping with fingers etc etc... its not appropriate either. But i do believe that crew who refer to pax as 'guys' may be a bit over-worked perhaps? or sick of their job?
I wouldnt call any pax that. I do however understand that it could sometimes be difficult trying to get a bunch of pax attention quickly..
As in a sec after landing and touching down everyone un-fasting their seatbelts and standing up bringin out their bag...although seatbelt signs still on, happens quite alot
yay, equal respect from both pax & crew but it starts with the crew i think!
I wouldnt call any pax that. I do however understand that it could sometimes be difficult trying to get a bunch of pax attention quickly..
As in a sec after landing and touching down everyone un-fasting their seatbelts and standing up bringin out their bag...although seatbelt signs still on, happens quite alot
yay, equal respect from both pax & crew
but it starts with the crew i think!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Manchester
You really do have to judge it........ hun, lovey, sweetheart (unless a child) is probably a little too familiar. On the other hand, Sir and Madame can be way too formal and on certain routes, many pax aren't that comfortable with such formality.
My rough guide....
Anyone 30's upwards - Sir/Madame unless they are chatty
Under 30's and in a group - "Guys" is totally acceptable IMO
Young lads - Mate is acceptable....talking on their level definitely helps in alot of instances
Kids - Guys, mate, sweetheart are all acceptable
It is a mine field and whilst Sir and Madame definitely has it's place, to address everyone by that is blatantly false and meidocre for the pax aswell as crew.
At my base we fly a hell of a lot of leisure passengers, an awful lot of whom are in good moods and often make the effort to engage you in chat and banter. To be coming out with Sir and Madame would seem a little stand offsish and distant. Again, at my base (working for a low cost carrier) we get the right balance and often we get comments about the fact that we aren't "snotty, think we're better" types. Let's be honest, some of us can come across like that.
My rough guide....
Anyone 30's upwards - Sir/Madame unless they are chatty
Under 30's and in a group - "Guys" is totally acceptable IMO
Young lads - Mate is acceptable....talking on their level definitely helps in alot of instances
Kids - Guys, mate, sweetheart are all acceptable
It is a mine field and whilst Sir and Madame definitely has it's place, to address everyone by that is blatantly false and meidocre for the pax aswell as crew.
At my base we fly a hell of a lot of leisure passengers, an awful lot of whom are in good moods and often make the effort to engage you in chat and banter. To be coming out with Sir and Madame would seem a little stand offsish and distant. Again, at my base (working for a low cost carrier) we get the right balance and often we get comments about the fact that we aren't "snotty, think we're better" types. Let's be honest, some of us can come across like that.
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 276
Likes: 3
From: N Ireland
Some people have little to be annoyed about, it's not what is said it's the way that it's said as far as I'm concerned.
In a slight reversal the most demeaning way of getting CC's attention has to be in my experience evident in some West African states where they clench the teeth and make a horrible "thssst, thsst, thsst sound sometimes with a click of the fingers.
Makes my blood boil to hear it.
In a slight reversal the most demeaning way of getting CC's attention has to be in my experience evident in some West African states where they clench the teeth and make a horrible "thssst, thsst, thsst sound sometimes with a click of the fingers.
Makes my blood boil to hear it.
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 906
Likes: 0
From: East Midlands Airport (EMA)
Rather infamous story at bmi of SMB telling off one of our ground staff for greeting him with "Hi there," responding "Shouldn't that be good morning, sir?" Totally depends on the customer, or group of customers, you're speaking to and the situation, I don't think there's a blanket rule. Personally I prefer "Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls" for announcements, "Sir or Madam" for initial interaction and to continue with unless told the customer isn't comfortable with being told this (happens more than you'd think, will never forget a thick-Brummy-accented pax on a flight from BHX saying "no airs and graces here bab, we all !!!!! and p*ss out the same hole") Usually call the children "young man or young lady" unless their parents introduce themselves.
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
The OP is 100% right, I too am tired of the seeming inability of people in Britain now to address customers with basic respect. What's wrong with sticking to "Sir", it's a lot better than being called "mate" by someone half my age. And don't get me started on people calling me by given name
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: bearsden
Pooly
Whats wrong with a bit of basic formality and courtesy? I personally detest being referred to as "MATE" - this is a spin off from that dreadful East Enders culture or perhaps Aussie soaps. My view is that I am not your mate - I am invariably the man who pays your wages - show a little bit more courtesy please - I didn`t call you sonny or whatever.
I think that it is a case of horses for courses - "mate" in an informal setting but definitely more formality where paying customers / general public are concerned unless told otherwise.
Whats wrong with a bit of basic formality and courtesy? I personally detest being referred to as "MATE" - this is a spin off from that dreadful East Enders culture or perhaps Aussie soaps. My view is that I am not your mate - I am invariably the man who pays your wages - show a little bit more courtesy please - I didn`t call you sonny or whatever.
I think that it is a case of horses for courses - "mate" in an informal setting but definitely more formality where paying customers / general public are concerned unless told otherwise.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: Bahrain
Ask yourself how you would feel being addressed by the passengers as "Pal" or "Babe".
"Guys" is slang.
It wouldn't bother me particularly, but I do feel that until you are on anything less than formal terms with the passengers, it's "Ladies and Gentlemen" collectively and "Sir" or "Madam" individually.
Even when I used to work behind a bar, it would always be "What can I get for you, sir?" unless I knew them better.
I always make it known that I am happy for CC to call me by my christian name. After all, half the time they have to wear badges with theirs on, don't they?
"Guys" is slang.
It wouldn't bother me particularly, but I do feel that until you are on anything less than formal terms with the passengers, it's "Ladies and Gentlemen" collectively and "Sir" or "Madam" individually.
Even when I used to work behind a bar, it would always be "What can I get for you, sir?" unless I knew them better.
I always make it known that I am happy for CC to call me by my christian name. After all, half the time they have to wear badges with theirs on, don't they?
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
I use "Ladies and Gentlemen" on the PA, and "Sir and Ma'am" while serving in the cabin. I've never had a negative response from pax for this, but I do work for a full-service airline.
I dislike pax addressing myself and other CC as "girls".
I dislike pax addressing myself and other CC as "girls".
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: UK
I now work for a low cost airline and I still address our passengers with Sir/Madam. I hate to hear other crew use words like 'love, mate' etc
We don't have to use these titles but I think it's a nice touch.
When I worked for a full frills airline I once addressed a passenger by madam, she replied ' I am lady ..... not a madam' You just can't win sometimes!
We don't have to use these titles but I think it's a nice touch.
When I worked for a full frills airline I once addressed a passenger by madam, she replied ' I am lady ..... not a madam' You just can't win sometimes!
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
From: HON121º/14 NM
At the last airline that I worked for (the same as finding NEMA I think) the cabin crew would greet the passengers with "'ello love" and "'ello mate" type comments regardless. When I and a couple of the other flight deck raised the subject with the base captain, and the chief pilot we were told that they didn't want to interfere with cabin services! That was the management attitude! Airlines have dumbed down to the lowest common denominator!