Think before you Leap!

It is always a pleasure to be flying into Japan. Apart from the amazingly heavenly Sushi, an evening stroll down the streets of Tokyo has so much to offer. This vibrant city has a unique balance between the pop culture and traditionalism; it’s easy to spot tech savvy, wildly dressed “Manga” reading youngsters everywhere; yet it is not rare to find them at a traditional Shinto Shrine, where they buy and tie up their fortune, hoping for it to come true.

Well I also had a few wishes lined up! So though it was over a 7 hour flight, it was an energetic flight, knowing what is in store for me when I get there.  On top of all of that, our passengers to Tokyo are of a certain polite nature, smiley faces, and we could always expect neat tray tops, as they strictly adhere to the 4 S’s; a cleaner air craft after all!

On this type of flights crew doesn’t expect to be bothered (Not that we don’t on any other flight). After the service is conducted, galley gossip is of paramount importance for most of the crew, to know where to eat, what to dress, and where to go shopping. Now this is where the galley curtains are being shut, implying “Enter at your own RISK”. However these too polite customers tend to knock and peep inside, or walk up and down until one of the disgruntled hostesses would open the curtains.

One such passenger continuously came up to the galley almost every 15 minutes, requesting for Apple Juice. Half way through the flight, whoever was taking refuge in the galley, was interrupted by this gentlemen.

As I was making a cup of green tea, and preparing “sake” for a lovely couple, I saw this gentleman walking down to the galley again. My manager for the day, who was a slightly plump guy who has aged gracefully on air, sat on a container, sipping his coffee lazily. As the passenger peeked inside the curtain, even before he voiced up, the senior crew blurted in Sinhala “Give this Frog an apple Juice”.

The passenger accepted the juice with a frown on his face, and as he walked back he said out loud in good Sinhala; not meant to be his mother tongue “I am not the Frog!”(Mama Gemba Nemei!). The manager almost choked on his coffee, and for the rest of the crew, it was the moral of the day!

Love, Dany