I’m 24, single, and a flight attendant for a U.S. airline. My social life is currently an impressive collection of airports, airplanes, and hotel rooms. Technically, I’m always going places. Romantically, the route map is less ambitious.
So yes, I enjoy it when a passenger flirts with me. There. A confession that will surprise absolutely anyone who believes a work uniform switches off the person wearing it.
I mean the pleasant kind of flirting. Someone smiles a little longer, gives me a nice compliment, or starts a conversation when I have time to talk. Sometimes it’s a man; sometimes it’s a woman. If they’re around my age, attractive, and able to make me laugh, I tend to notice.
I’m shy when I first meet people, but once I’m comfortable, I can be outgoing. Occasionally, even flirty. A confident passenger can get me past that initial awkwardness surprisingly quickly, considering we’ve met in a setting best known for limited legroom.
And if I think someone is cute, I might linger in the conversation a little longer than I otherwise would. I might flirt back. I’m aware that this is less dignified than claiming my only pleasure at work is the flawless execution of my duties, but it is considerably more accurate.
The distinction matters to me: I enjoy mutual attention. Creepy remarks and inappropriate comments don’t become charming because they happen at cruising altitude. What I like is that small spark when someone seems pleased to talk to me and I’m pleased to talk to them.
I also know I’m working. There’s a job to do, and I don’t want a conversation getting in the way of it. The moments I’m talking about happen when I’m not busy, without interfering with my responsibilities.
Still, I wonder whether flirting back crosses some professional line, even when everyone involved is comfortable. Enjoying a compliment seems harmless. Encouraging another one feels like the part I’m supposed to examine.
Am I being inappropriate, or am I a single woman enjoying a brief conversation with someone cute before returning to the scheduled service?
