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British Airways Incompetance
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That totally sucks!
We flew BA to India last Christmas and they were okay. Have to day that I drooled over the business class as we walked ourselves back to economy (economy on a 15+ hr flight? never again!), but at least we got eye shades and socks to make us a bit more comfy.
I hope you get things worked out reasonably well and that future holidays fare better!
We flew BA to India last Christmas and they were okay. Have to day that I drooled over the business class as we walked ourselves back to economy (economy on a 15+ hr flight? never again!), but at least we got eye shades and socks to make us a bit more comfy.
I hope you get things worked out reasonably well and that future holidays fare better!
I'm scared now! While away last week my boyfriend purchased two tickets to England. We'll be flying into Hethrow. I told him to go with BA, he decided to go with United. Of course now I am grateful at his defiance, but how is United anyway? I sure hope that I can bring my laptop by the time we fly (November) but chances are it'll be no. I am highly considering shipping it to my boyfriend's parents because without that, I am stuck in terms of school work.
As for you, I am sorry all that happened, but I'm not sure about the insurance. I know when I went to New York I was covered up to $2800 total. That would not cover everything, but it'd come close for me providing I left my power book out of the mix (or my camera) but I couldn't replace both on that.
As for you, I am sorry all that happened, but I'm not sure about the insurance. I know when I went to New York I was covered up to $2800 total. That would not cover everything, but it'd come close for me providing I left my power book out of the mix (or my camera) but I couldn't replace both on that.
Sesshi said:Sounds exactly like the typical American demanding his rights at the BA counterI'll leave it at that. And no I'm not British. Not doing the prima donna can have it's advantages, especially with a British crew.
Excuse me? Please show me where I was being a prima donna. My opinions are based on experiences in which I was the person serving BA employees and being mistreated by them, NOT the other way around.
If I am in someone else's country, I try to be as considerate as I can for their customs and language- I don't demand they accomodate me. I would expect the same from BA employess who come to the US, that's all. That is what they have failed to do on every occasion I have had to deal with them.
andym172 said:
What comments are you finding offensive? I'm just talking about my experiences with certain British people, namely BA workers. I even stated earlier that I've met plenty of nice British folks on this website.
Sorry if I offended you.
leekohler said:
"I for one will NEVER visit the UK. Berlin has been a far better place to visit. Nice people, no attitude."
This sentence alone suggests that Brits aren't nice people and have poor attitudes. 100% correct in some cases, 100% incorrect in others - the same as any other country.
Thank you for your apology, it is appreciated. I hope my fellow nationals carry themselves better around you in the future, and that your thoughts on us may be turned once you've visited our great isles
Should you visit the UK I recommend you head north, and try to avoid the big cities if you're looking for friendliness
leekohler said:
BA is a large airline. Not all their staff are *******s. They are some of the most professional, qualified people in the aviation industry, a few of whom I know personally.
All airlines have their good and bad staff. Just because you met a few bad ones doesn't make all of them *******s.
Just thought I should point that out.
andym172 said:"I for one will NEVER visit the UK. Berlin has been a far better place to visit. Nice people, no attitude."
This sentence alone suggests that Brits aren't nice people and have poor attitudes. 100% correct in some cases, 100% incorrect in others - the same as any other country.
Thank you for your apology, it is appreciated. I hope my fellow nationals carry themselves better around you in the future, and that your thoughts on us may be turned once you've visited our great isles
Should you visit the UK I recommend you head north, and try to avoid the big cities if you're looking for friendliness
Maybe that's it. I also had some run-ins when I was at the Berlin International Film Fest. I was sitting in the film market eating lunch one day with a friend and a bunch of British producers I had just met. One of them asked me why I was at the fest. I just said, "Oh, I'm an actor in so and so's film." Then he said, "Oh! An actor! How nice for you. How does it feel to be bought and sold?" Literally all I said was hello and answered this guy's question and that was the response I got! I just said, "Well, I don't know- I'm just happy to be here. "
Maybe you're right, it must be the people I've met in certain situations. I can certainly see how producers would be rude anywhere.
I would like to meet Bluevelvet sometime!
L
Lau
Guest
leekohler said:
Sounds like sarcasm to me...
I don't think a single American got any jokes and comedy remarks I made when I was in New York. I just kept getting verrry strange looks...
Lau said:Sounds like sarcasm to me...
I don't think a single American got any jokes and comedy remarks I made when I was in New York. I just kept getting verrry strange looks...
Interesting. I guess the English language can be more varied than we thought.
See- I would never have taken that as sarcasm as it was the second sentence he spoke to me (that, and the table got very quiet).
But out of curiosity, what were some of your jokes?
leekohler said:
And I would like to meet you as well. But I'm not British...
However, I have lived here for over 17 years and can claim to know a little about Londoners... and I can also be incredibly rude at times too.
British Airways? Have no opinion on the matter having not set foot on a plane for over 10 years.
L
Lau
Guest
leekohler said:Interesting. I guess the English language can be more varied than we thought.
See- I would never have taken that as sarcasm as it was the second sentence he spoke to me (that, and the table got very quiet).
But out of curiosity, what were some of your jokes?
To be fair, he could have said that in a really nasty way, in which case you'd be totally justified in being pissed off. But I can also imagine it being said in a comedy way, but it not being obvious to someone who isn't tuned in.
I can't remember anything of what I said, but it was just little comments when I bought something in shops, or had brief exchanges with people. I do it all the time over here, and am always getting accused of befriending shop assistants and stuff because we always end up chatting.
But over there it seemed to mainly get open mouthed stares... I'm desperately trying to think of the kind of thing I might say, but I can't now. Was strange though — I'd always thought going to the US would be easy to get by then in mainland Europe, in that my English is vastly better than my French or German. But I've never felt so European — although I could ask for stuff perfectly well, I felt very lost without my sense of humour, as it made me realise such a big part of the way I communicate and it really did fall flat on its face.
I was really surprised. Again though, on this forum, I think most people that I get on with (even Americans!
) "get me", and so I think the people you meet as a tourist (or as tourists in your country) are vastly different to people who you connect with. Hell, I pretty much hate every arsehole I meet in the street in London, Bath and Edinburgh. They're all complete stuck-up, noisy, rude, incapable idiots. Doesn't mean a whole country's full of rude bastards though. 
Lau said:To be fair, he could have said that in a really nasty way, in which case you'd be totally justified in being pissed off. But I can also imagine it being said in a comedy way, but it not being obvious to someone who isn't tuned in.
I can't remember anything of what I said, but it was just little comments when I bought something in shops, or had brief exchanges with people. I do it all the time over here, and am always getting accused of befriending shop assistants and stuff because we always end up chatting.
I'm desperately trying to think of the kind of thing I might say, but I can't now. Was strange though I'd always thought going to the US would be easy to get by then in mainland Europe, in that my English is vastly better than my French or German. But I've never felt so European although I could ask for stuff perfectly well, I felt very lost without my sense of humour, as it made me realise such a big part of the way I communicate and it really did fall flat on its face.
Again though, on this forum, I think most people that I get on with (even Americans!
Of course you're right. I would love to know what some of the things you said were though, just so I'd have an idea.
I felt terribly awkward in Europe. Not unwelcome, but I just didn't have the vibe down, you know what I mean? Probably similar to what you're describing. But mostly I kept my mouth shut. I tend to do that until I feel comfortable in a place. Seven days wasn't long enough. When I go back someday, I'll probably be more comfortable. It was just a lot to take in. Plus I felt like a jerk for not knowing German. Even though people were more than happy to speak English, I really wanted to be able to use my Rick Steeve's phrasebook a bit more.
Now that is getting into a different matter. For all of those not in the UK, there is quite a fierce distaste between north and south almost as severe as England and Scotland.andym172 said:Should you visit the UK I recommend you head north, and try to avoid the big cities if you're looking for friendliness
Being a southerner but with northern and Scottish heritage, i just make jokes about it all. Just like Lau, i dp get some wierd looks insulting southerners when i am quite obviously one by the way that i speak. Its great
leekohler said:
Unfairly, I'm going to generalise here, but many American's I've encountered while travelling are just too loud. Only last week I was in Thailand eating at a Japanese restaurant and there was a big American guy with his young son and what I presume to be his wife. We were in a restaurant in a large shopping mall and I could hear every utterance the guy made even from the other side of the restaurant. The Thai's who were present looked slightly narked.
I'm not suggesting you and he may be alike, but us Brit's have a saying; "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" - when you're visiting a new place, you should try to do as the people do who are from that place. I personally have found American's to do as American's do when abroad.
andym172 said:
Being aware of that, I have always tried NOT to be that way. Believe me, a lot of us Americans don't like Americans. You wil get no arguement from me on the fact that we are the worst tourists in the world.
But like I said, I wasn't really sure what I should be doing. So I mainly enjoyed the sights and stayed around the festival in Potsdamer Platz. I got a bit of a feel for things from my host at the B&B I stayed in. We would chat for a few hours in the morning each day. There really wasn't much time for me to really get a good feel for things. I had to rush around a lot.
leekohler said:
Wrong country.
Think a little less Beatles and Newton, and a little more fush and chups.
I think even the Americans "get" you because they can read everything twice, or maybe even 3 times, if they need to. If you met them face to face, and they could hear you speak instead of reading replies on a message board, I think you'd likely offend more people.Lau said:Again though, on this forum, I think most people that I get on with (even Americans!
Oh, and unlike Americans, Canadians do "get it" much more often.
Abstract said:
Right country; wrong nationality. A stranger in a strange land like some others around here of the bluish persuasion...
Also, in total, this year I've now spent more than half of my life outside the country of my birth. Random and completely useless fact that I must be sure to add to my Guide entry some day.
Well yes, correct country of residence, but you always recognise yourself as a NZ'er, just like I would never ever introduce myself as a dirty Aussie.