When a Celebrity Demanded My First-Class Seat, I Gave Her a Lesson in Respect

Entitled Celebrity Demanded the Stewardess Move Me from My Rightful First-Class Seat – I Taught Her a Lesson in Respect

I had always heard about obnoxious celebrities, but until I encountered someone like that, I didn’t think much of that reputation. I was being bullied by this local celebrity to get out of my cozy airline seat, but I had a cunning scheme to get them to pay! I had a strategy to get a pregnant woman to help.

I rarely treated myself to first class travel, but I thought I deserved a little indulgence after months of nonstop work. I’m a 33-year-old lady who has earned my current position via hard work; this trip to Europe was my reward. I imagined myself spending the next few hours in luxury, perhaps even starting with a glass of bubbly. However, the dream soured as soon as I sat down.

There he was already, lounging back as though the whole place were his own. I knew who he was right away! He was a local reality TV celebrity who had made headlines in the tabloids for his diva-like antics and exaggerated demands.

It was evident from seeing him in person that fame had not been kind to him. He seemed very entitled, and he was wearing sunglasses inside. As I tucked my carry-on into the overhead bin, our hometown star gave me a fleeting glance that said it all—it was icy.

I smiled nicely and started to take up my seat next to him, knowing better than to judge someone by hearsay. However, he snapped his fingers before I could even buckle up and enjoy the long-haul flight!

It was a sound that gave me a strange, prickly feeling down my spine. Like a king requesting a servant, he was calling for a flight attendant! I could feel his piercing stare while he awaited attention.

With a tone full of contempt, he said, “Excuse me. I need more space.” Sitting next to someone doesn’t feel right for me. Would you kindly locate her a different seat?”

I halted, a wave of amazement overtaking me at his total haughtiness. The poor flight attendant appeared taken aback, but she immediately composed herself and shot me an apologetic look.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Thames, but the flight is fully booked.”

But the famous person wouldn’t have it!

He turned to face me, a smug smirk curving around his lips as though he’d already won. He leaned in and said, “DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHO I AM?” in a tone that was almost unbearably condescending. “This space is something I NEED. You’re going to have to relocate,” he remarked scornfully.

I blinked, not sure if he was telling the truth. Finally, I took a seat and fastened my seat. “I’m aware of who you are,” I said evenly and calmly. “I apologize, but just like you, I paid for this seat, and I’m not leaving. I’m staying here,” I declared confidently.

He narrowed his eyes. It was obvious he was unaccustomed to rejection. The flight attendant shifted uneasily, looking from one of us to the other like a deer caught in the headlights. I could feel everyone in first class holding their breath, waiting to see how this would turn out, as the tension in the room briefly reached a fever pitch.

Mr. Thames appeared as though he was about to lose it! Then it dawned on me how to completely change the course of events. I didn’t say anything more; I just unbuckled my seatbelt and got up, acting like I was thinking twice.

“You know what?” I said, trying to seem thoughtful as a notion occurred to me. “I might actually move. It serves no purpose for me to stay sitting in an unwelcome place. I’ll try to locate another location.

The well-known person in the area spread out, obviously at ease with the notion that he had successfully driven me away. He spoke to the gullible flight attendant as I was walking down the aisle, saying, “You may be dismissed, although you really didn’t do much and I will be noting that.”

That triumphant smirk of the celebrity was back, but I wasn’t done yet. With Mr. Thames, I had worked out a more gratifying solution to the problem. A solution that would impart a much-needed lesson to the star.

My head whirling, I walked aimlessly down the aisle. That’s when I saw her, a young mom with a toddler poised on her lap and a clear pregnancy. Her posture was defeated, her eyes haggard, as though the notion of having to endure this economy class flight was too much to bear. My heart immediately went out to her.

Saying a quiet hello, I knelt down next to her. Startled, she raised her head. “Are you up for trading seats with me? I sit up front in first class.”

Her eyes grew big, and she appeared as though she may cry. “Are you serious?!” she exclaimed, her tone tinged with incredulity. “Oh my God, thank you so much!”

She didn’t think twice! With renewed vigor, the expectant mother hurriedly collected her belongings! We headed back to first class together after I assisted her with carrying her bag. I saw the celebrity’s expression go from bewilderment to dread as we got closer!

As I gestured to her in the direction of the vacant seat, the young lady grinned. I said, “Enjoy your flight,” with warmth. She gave me a sincere, appreciative smile that lifted my spirits and gave me the lightest feeling of the day.

However, the best was still to come! When the famous person realized what had transpired, his face contorted with frustration. No longer was he sitting next to a calm, roomy seat that he had demanded, but rather next to a mother and her demanding kid!

The toddler wriggled right away, putting curious fingers out to get hold of the celebrity’s manbag. Mr. Thames’s face turned an almost comical shade of red, as if he were about to collapse!

I was powerless to resist. I smiled nonstop as I gave him a little wave. His rage was evident as he scowled at me, but all I felt was satisfaction! I knew he would ruminate on that quiet victory for the duration of the flight!

I heard the expectant woman speak to Mr. Thames as I was leaving.

“Hi! Are you not that irritating celebrity on television who makes headlines for all the wrong reasons?” She asked him a question. I saw him shooting her an angry look out of the corner of my eye that said, “How dare you talk to me? And you dare disparage my impeccable character.”

But he remained silent. The toddler then let out a heartbreaking cry, sounding as though she had fallen or knocked herself against something. But in her mother’s lap, she was safe.

“Hush, Susie!” the father chastised. “Our local celebrity won’t stand for your funny antics on this flight, will you, sir?” She pivoted and inquired with Mr. Thames.

I assumed that our local celebrity was quite irritated about having the intrusive person sitting next to him since I didn’t hear back. With a smile on my face, I strolled on, my carry-on securely grasped.

Returning to the economy class, I discovered that the pregnant woman’s seat wasn’t quite as comfy as the first-class one. But I didn’t give a damn at that particular moment. I tucked my bags aside and found a seat as the plane took off.

I leaned back and put on my eye mask, feeling satisfied and experiencing a rare sensation of tranquility. Knowing that the pregnant mother needed the comfort more than I did helped me comfort myself. Especially with a baby on the way, she wanted the quiet and the solitude.

Regarding Mr. Thames, he received precisely what he requested! I could only see him being occupied for the next few hours by the fidgety kid! The child’s mother was a handful enough by herself to drive our celebrity insane, if she didn’t manage to reach him!

When it came to expressing her opinions, she didn’t seem to have many filters. I assumed she would interrogate her hesitant neighbor a great deal. Perhaps, just perhaps, Mr. Thames would come to understand that not everything in life could be provided for him.

I laughed to myself as the engines’ gentle hum lulled me into a comfortable calm and I enjoyed the sweet taste of poetic justice. I choose to view it as imparting a lesson in respect, which is something we could all use a bit more of these days. Some might call it petty.

Although I managed to obtain justice for myself against the impolite celebrity, in the subsequent incident, another person had to intervene in order to exact revenge on an aircraft passenger. The tall man endured endless harassment from his seat neighbor until the captain of the aircraft emerged and made a memorable move!