Ever notice how Americans order drinks on a plane? "I wanna a Coke." Or, "Gimme a Coke." Or, sometimes they just grunt, "Coke." Whatever happened to, "May I have...?" Or, "May I please have..." Flying today closely resembles taking a Trailways Bus. I took the bus a lot in the Army and in college. I liked it. You could sit in the back and drink beer and smoke cigarettes. But my shoes were not as nice as these. British Tan Tassel loafers made by Alden for Brooks Brothers. They are fitting for summer cotton suits and hop sack blazers with white trousers. I love 'em though I'm not sure why.
15 August 2008
Planes,
Ever notice how Americans order drinks on a plane? "I wanna a Coke." Or, "Gimme a Coke." Or, sometimes they just grunt, "Coke." Whatever happened to, "May I have...?" Or, "May I please have..." Flying today closely resembles taking a Trailways Bus. I took the bus a lot in the Army and in college. I liked it. You could sit in the back and drink beer and smoke cigarettes. But my shoes were not as nice as these. British Tan Tassel loafers made by Alden for Brooks Brothers. They are fitting for summer cotton suits and hop sack blazers with white trousers. I love 'em though I'm not sure why.
I like them too. I also like the tan NST. I don't own either, but maybe I should.
ReplyDeleteNot only is the average plane traveler rude and thoughtless, which is bad enough, but its their appalling dress that really astonishes me. Since when did it become acceptable to show up at the airport for a trip wearing little more than pajamas and flip flops? I've given up thinking that I should put on a tie and jacket for pleasure travel (gave that up years ago), but I remain of the view that sweats and flip flops are not appropriate travel-wear, unless on a gurney.
ReplyDeleteWhat really looks great are the socks... nice subtle pattern.
ReplyDeleteGotta love the leg room! You have o saw off your legs to fly economy these days..
Hello, I own a business etiquette consulting firm and write about topics which complement yours. I can add you to my blog as a resource and you can do the same for me. Are you interested?
ReplyDeletewww.corbyoconnor.com
Thank you.
Hello Trad, Glad you are back! If you care to play I have tagged you on my blog for 5 words that you dislike. I would be curious what you could conjure up! Gentleman's choice of course!! Best, Becs
ReplyDeleteI still wear jacket and tie when I fly-especially overseas.
ReplyDelete“Ever notice how Americans order drinks on a plane? "I wanna a Coke." Or, "Gimme a Coke." Or, sometimes they just grunt, "Coke." Whatever happened to, "May I have...?" Or, "May I please have..." Flying today closely resembles taking a Trailways Bus. “
ReplyDeleteThe world is as we choose to live in it.
Nice shoes!
I completely agree. I don't hear yes ma'am and no sir anymore either. My parents beat that into me. I think it starts with our children. Now parents just let them run wild and say what they want, do what they want. When will we learn?
ReplyDeleteRonald
Chas- Tan NST? You got me.
ReplyDeleteReg- I almost always wear a jacket and tie on a flight...I refuse to travel like I was watching TV at home. My friends laugh at me but they're cretins I keep around for my own entertainment.
cg- Figures you would nail the socks. Brioni, but I fly Southwest. Gotta have priorites.
Corby- Thank you for stopping by. I have yet to add other links. I've also turned down advertising. I just wanna keep The Trad simple. Kinda like me. Please don't be offended.
Becs- I was not vulgar and you have no idea how difficult that is for me.
richad m- We have more in common than Philadelphia.
Tim- Yes it is and sometimes the world decides it's gonna blow a foul wind...and you have no choice...unless you can plug your earphones in and listen to Youssou N'Dour.
Ronald- Good news. I was in the base exchange at a Naval Station somewhere in FL and the daughter of a Marine Corps NCO accidently bumped into my mother. No more than 5 or 6, she said, "I'm very sorry. Please excuse me." My mother and I were amazed and I exchanged a look with the father who seemed so proud. They're out there and that gives me hope.
Appreciate the effort. But I see Orange and Blue.
ReplyDeletehomer- Great to see you. I've made some comments on your blog and still find it amazing. Sorry 'bout the blue and orange. They (the shoes) really are tan.
ReplyDeleteHullo Trad,
ReplyDeleteI still wear a jacket when traveling (usually a blazer), but gave up the tie, but I'm going to rethink that now...
Here's a thought, how about an ascot as an alternative? More comfortable on those long (i.e., overnight) flights I take, and even more of an f-u to the prole-aesthetic running rampant these days. See the Sartoralist's GAP campaign shot, he looks great in an ascot.
BuhBye....
ReplyDeleteBuhBye....
BuuuhBye..
BuhBye....
BuhBuffy...
I miss manners, too!
ReplyDeleteBtw I was totally addited to TinTin books as a child!
I think the problem is that there is nothing pleasurable about flying anymore. Just to get on the plane have to deal with delays or even cancellations, go through the TSA gauntlet, then you get treated rudely by flight attendants (not the rule, but they are there in a disproportionate number), get crammed into seats that are barely big enough for a child. It's no wonder people seem rude.
ReplyDeleteDespite all of that I tend to be polite, although I do dress for comfort on flights, on the off chance that something happens. I flew on the morning of Sept. 11th out of Hartford and got delayed in Raleigh-Durham. While being uncomfortably overdressed while sitting around in the airport for hours on end was the least of my problems, it wouldn't have helped.
I have heard Americans sitting in business class order drinks on a plane, thus: "I need a Coke." "Need"?! It makes me shudder.
ReplyDeleteI have those same shoes. They're classics. Nice photos.
I always dress for travel - if the airlines and the other passengers aren't going to give me a luxurious, glamorous experience, darnit I'm going to make my own.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, the airport lounges do mitigate some of the mess. An open bar, a shoe-shine stand, free newspapers, and a relatively uncrowded room full of frequent travellers. It's almost like going to the Cloud Room at Midway in the 60s. Well, maybe not.
As a Canadian, but a fan of J. Press khakis which are harder to come by than would be convenient if I lived in the U.S., I've found it necessary to wear khakis from Banana Republic or some easily-replaceable line when I travel. I don't know where the grease always seems to come from in airports, but I'd rather not have it on my Press khakis, especially if I'm not traveling to New York or Boston. But I agree about the jacket and tie thing when I travel. I'd rather stand apart from the Hieronimus Bosch tableau of fleece, track pants, and fanny packs who now form the majority in a plane. And the flight attendants appreciate a well-dressed gentleman who is also polite. We're exotic.
ReplyDelete