Being a flight attendant can be glamorous. It’s also annoying as hell some days. It takes a really special person to be an outstanding one. Faking conversation, smiling when you’re having your own worst day ever, repeating the same drink selections 82 times. You get the picture. In an effort to not piss off your next waitress in the sky, remember these key points about their biggest pet peeves. Oh, it always helps to bring them chocolates. That’s not a rumor. It’s the real thing.
This article originally appeared on BusinessInsider.com.
Flying can be stressful, and travelers sometimes let their frustrations get in the way of being polite to flight staff and other passengers.
Six flight attendants who work for a total of five airlines told Business Insider what they wish they could tell passengers but, for professional reasons, can't. Each flight attendant requested anonymity for fear of reprisal from their employer.
Their responses suggest that being conscientious can go a long way toward making a flight attendant's life easier.
These are the six things flight attendants want to tell you but can't.
"A little patience and a little kindness goes a long way."
"We want to take off on time too. We're all going to the same place. We're all leaving at the same time. I think people tend to be overly rushed," a flight attendant for United Airline said. "A little patience and a little kindness goes a long way."
Don't walk in the aisle without shoes.
"I think people don't realize how dirty the planes are," said a flight attendant for PSA Airlines, an American Airlines Group subsidiary.
He said that while flight attendants pick up trash between flights, the planes receive a thorough cleaning once a day.
"Cut us some slack."
"Cut us some slack," a United flight attendant said. "Be compassionate, because we're trying to be compassionate toward you.
"We're not mind readers."
"We're not mind readers," a flight attendant for Alaska Airlines said. "We may not necessarily know how to serve that individual person, nor can we tailor our service to every individual person, and I think sometimes people forget that."
Take responsibility for your scheduling decisions.
"I just wish I could tell passengers, 'Be more responsible for yourself,'" a flight attendant for American Airlines said. "Take accountability for your actions. You booked this flight this way. You're giving yourself 20 minutes to get to your other flight. Be more responsible."
Don't ask if a delay will result in a late arrival.
"Don't ask me if the plane's going to be late because of the delay, because I don't know," said a flight attendant for Piedmont Airlines, an American Airlines Group subsidiary.
*Information submitted from Travel + Leisure.
Muchas gracias. ?Como puedo iniciar sesion?