Saturday, 4 February 2012

Dear Madam...

Here it is my first trip of the year! This time off to Antwerp just for a couple of days to visit my company’s offices... I have just started my new job (I will tell you all about it any time soon!) and it’s time to meet the rest of the team!
Today, at the airport, I realized that I was being called Madam by everyone and for any reason possible...This isn’t supposed to be a surprise however today, I found it annoyingly funny!

I know that calling someone Madam is one of the first rules of “good education”, of being raised properly (like my Mum and Dad did to me), of good manners and obviously of being polite! This is not rocket science! I think we are all in agreement that calling someone Madam (or Sir) when appropriate is as important as saying “please” or “thank you”...

So why am I finding this so amusing today?? J well... I have this strange feeling that this doesn’t happen every time I travel... and I do travel a lot! For some reason I think that I am being treated accordingly to what I am wearing today!

Let me explain you my line of thought: every time I have the opportunity I wear a pair of jeans, a jumper and my red All Star trainers during my flights – it’s like I am wearing my flight equipment! I usually go make-up free and my hair tight on a pony tail! This is the way I feel more comfortable, more cosy... ready for any situation that may happen during my journey no matter where I’m coming from or what is my final destination! On these days I don’t recall being called Madam that often... I don’t recall being called Madam at all!

Now, today it was different! I had a meeting in Northamptonshire in the morning and I left straight to the airport! Let me tell you that the only reason I am not wearing jeans it’s because I didn’t pack any at this time as I am running on a tight schedule, so I will not be having any time to change in a toilet of the airport! Anyway, so here I am... dress, coat, high heels, make up on and hair straightened... definitely not my flight wearing gear of preference!!!!  And as soon as I arrive it starts...

At the Valet parking: “Can I take the mileage and the petrol level of your car Madam? ... Thanks Madam... we will have you car at Terminal 1 Madam.... have a safe flight Madam...”

Ok! At this point I think: very polite gentlemen but far too many “Madams”!

Make my way to security and at passport checks: “Good Morning Madam... oh actually is afternoon Madam... Have a good flight Madam...”

Oh God! Is today the Madam Day??? J

Going through security check and it continues... “Any liquids Madam? Your laptop on this tray Madam! Your coat on this one Madam... oh, and I will also need your shoes Madam!!”

This cannot be normal.... I am seriously getting fed up!!

Went for lunch and again... “I will show you to your table Madam; what would you like to drink Madam, have a nice meal Madam...” and so on, and so on.......

Just a quick stop at Harrods to check on the new sunglasses... and again we go!! “Do you need any help Madam? Do you have any preference for a brand Madam? What type of style are you looking for Madam?”

At this point I want to scream and therefore I didn’t buy a very nice pair of new sunglasses and went straight to my boarding gate!!!!

Although I was a little irritated I couldn’t stop smiling... Suddenly everyone at Heathrow Terminal 5 was extremely polite and made me feel like... well like a Madam really! JJJ

xxx
Dani @ Antwerp

PS: I will check next time I am travelling with my flight gear if this will happen!! 

Speak Soon!
Love
Dani

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