[NewJerseyDevils]

Originally Posted by jimworcs

If the child asked the FA to buy food, and was rejected, then the FA was in a position to extend the human kindness.

I can offer, if you like, a more detailed explanation of bystander apathy and dissipated responsibility... but I am not sure you want a lesson in social psychology. Notwithstanding the strange case of Kitty Genovese, upon which this psychological principle was established, take it from me.. the responsibility rested on the shoulders of the FA.

I think it's the parents responsibilty to pack snacks or stop at Quizno's so their child has something to eat on the plane. If I were a passenger on the plane I would think that if the parent wanted the child to eat on the plane they would have arranged for them to have food on the plane. What would happen if the FA arranged for the cash/credit card exchange and the kid was allergic to something they ate? Sad fact is they would be sued.

[wkharris2001]

an easy solution to all of those "cash only" people like my dad who refuses to get a bank card or credit card. is to get one of the reloadable prepaid credit cards at walgreens. it costs like $6 to initially get the card i think but after you purchase the card you can reload it by paying cash at a Walgreen's. so now every time he fly's he goes and loads like $20 on the card so if he chooses he can purchase an adult beverage or food on board if he's not lucky enough to be cleared into the first class cabin.

here is a link to a website for one of the cards i was talking about. there are several different companies offering these though greendot is not the only one. http://www.greendotonline.com

[jimworcs]

It is a very sad state of affairs that every time something is suggested that people should look out for other people and the children of our society, the reason given for not doing so is the fear of litigation. Children who are lost are not approached, kids who fall over are not comforted, distressed children are not hugged, and children who are misbehaving are not scolded. The effect is the alienation of children from the rest of society. Kids are now being taught, particularly in the US, but also in England and other western countries to be afraid of strangers and to be suspicious of kindness. Contrast this with some african nations or even modern western countries like Italy and you will see a very different approach. You will also see children who are not medicated up to the eyeballs, in "counselling" and treatment programmes and diagnosed with fake, western illnesses such as Oppositional Defiance Disorder.

Before you all jump on me, I am not suggesting that the Flight Attendants failure to help the child is responsible for the downfall of western civilisation, but this reluctance to show kindness, help children and approach them is part of a wider malaise and is very damaging. We are more and more turning people into "corporate robots" with little or no discretion to help anyone regardless of the circumstances. There are many examples on here where passengers have experienced hostility and nastiness which is totally uncalled for. The fear of employees that showing some discretion, kindness or even, god forbid, breaking the rules to help someone in need stems from a toxic mix of corporate greed and a society which seems to be more and more individualistic and less and less social.