On the airplane I wanted some hot water. That got ME in hot water. Nobody was around and anyway I don't like to ask for favors so I helped myself to what I thought was hot water [except that it wasn't hot]. The stewardess saw me and and sternly reprimanded me to go away and that I have no right to take by myself [without offering to help].
I walked away meekly like a little boy who was caught by his second grade teacher doing something naughty. What I would have wanted to say is - Isn't your motto "אל על - הכי בבית"? At home I never hesitate to make myself hot water. Why do you have to get so angry? And hey - I am paying over 500 dollars to be on this plane for 12 hours. That's a whole kollel check [not that I get one but many of my friends do - so I think I will ask them to start paying for my flights. You think they will agree?]. I didn't know that the price included being screamed at.... I thought that there was an added charge for the honor. ["$999 from Tel Aviv to JFK including two delicious hot meals in 9 different little compartments on your tray, great movies if you aren't makpid on shmiras einayim and bittul zman, bathrooms with lots of people's "shirayim" on the floor and toilet seat, minyanim that you will hear about even if you are sleeping, a magazine you would never otherwise read for every passenger in the pouch behind the seat in front of you. For an extra $50 - you get to get screamed at by a stewardess. $100 if you want the honor of the pilot giving it to you. For an extra $75 you will be seated right next to a chasidic person of the opposite gender and get to enjoy seeing how he/she reacts. "Vould you mind....""]
But I said nothing.
The truth is that I have flown many many times over the years and it seems that at least once every flight I get it from one stewardess or another. "Don't stand there" [when I am davening in a corner].
"Don't take that!" etc. etc.
Limmud zchus - 1] Being a stewardess is a HARD job. Crazy hours, all that makeup they find it necessary to apply, ending a work day on a different continent and having to deal with a lot of difficult people [like me who can never get enough hot water. I have a SERIOUS drinking problem]. 2] Maybe I should learn some manners for once and for all!!!😊😂 3] Some stewardesses are REALLY nice and helpful.
Questions - Have you ever seen a pregnant stewardess? I don't think I have either [not that I look at their bellies but being pregnant is pretty noticeable]. Don't stewardesses want to be mommies? Have you ever seen a stewardess with a tichel or sheitel? Have you ever met a frum girl who was a stewardess or was planning to be one [or frum boy who wanted to be a steward]? Why not?
