Q. One does not wish to strike a discordant note
with fellow-passengers on a long-haul flight. What, then, should I have said or done when, just before drinks were served on my recent flight from Calgary to London, my travelling companion in the next seat (otherwise perfectly decent — good school and all
that) removed his shoes, thereby exposing his besocked feet to the atmosphere of the cabin? Clearly, my new friend's feet and socks had themselves been travelling companions for some considerable time. Any remark from me, however diplomatically expressed, would doubtless have been hurtful.
R.P., St Saviour, Guernsey, CI A. Having consulted your secretary, I understand that you were fortunate enough to have been travelling business class. In this case, your discomfort could have been swiftly eased by the expedient of having a private word with one of the stewardesses. Shortly after your return to your seat, this stewardess would have bustled forward to recite a script written by you. 'Hot towel for your feet, sir?' she would have asked, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. As you stripped off your socks to apply the hot towels, she would have purred, And fresh travel socks?' as she tonged a pair from a loaded tray. `I'll tell you what I'm going to do,' you would then have announced loudly. 'I'm going to store these socks I've been wearing in one of these sick bags, and put them well out of the way in the overhead locker. Actually, I think I'll hang on to the travel socks, and wear them when we land.' Then, turning to your fellow-passenger, you could have smiled pleasantly and inquired, 'Same treatment for you?'
Previous page
