Yesterday I watched a flight attendant trying to do her job.
She was trying to go over the safety instructions and nobody was listening…evidently they had heard it all before.
She was standing up and giving life saving info and most people were completely ignoring her. Some people were just disengaged others were completely disrespectful. I could see the discouragement on her face.
The cologne drenched salesman in 17C had heard it all before and was loudly talking about quarterly goals with his buddy. There was a dude wearing skinny jeans and a zippered sweater who had his headphones drowning out the noise with loud dubstep music. There was a couple who were too busy flirting to notice anyone around them.
Through it all, the young flight attendant made her announcements about flotation devices.
I could relate to her, I feel the same frustration.
As a youth pastor, I often find myself in front of a crowd who are not interested in the life saving story that I’m trying to tell.
Maybe, it’s my delivery.
Maybe, they have heard it before.
Maybe, they are more interested in the people around them.
Maybe, you have experienced the same thing.
You want to help, but you aren’t being heard.
Some flight attendants try to change it up a bit. They add some humor, do some (mostly polite) hand gestures or talk in a fake accent. That helps! It’s always better to tell the story in your style. Be passionate. Be creative. We should be constantly finding new ways to tell our stories.
but, there are always going to be some people who think they have heard it all.
Maybe…just maybe, if they know it all, they should help, get out of seat 17C and start pointing their fellow travelers toward the exit row.
Okay, I’m done with my rant, now in preparation for landing please return your seat backs and tray tables to their original position.
carbonated joy 