In the panel above each passenger seat there is a button which usually features the outlined figure of a skirt clad woman carrying a tray which holds a drink. Completely disregard this picture. It has no place in modern society. Clearly, it was designed by a graphic artist who rushed home to watch the first season of "Leave it to Beaver"; his wife dutifully waiting at the door with his martini and slippers. The "stewardess" that inspired his drawing likely had to quit in the event she was married, or had children.
In the modern-day flight attendant world, that bell above your seat could be equated with calling 911. The general belief amongst us is that it isn't necessary to touch the call button unless we see a geyser of blood shooting from between seats, or someone is either choking- or having a heart attack.
As with any rule, there are a few exceptions. During boarding, we'll reluctantly respond to the call bell if you need a seat belt extension, water for medication, or have the same seat assignment as another passenger. Please restrain yourself and your children from the urge to press that button for petty reasons; such as the all important retrieval of your empty cup. There has got to be a place around your seat where that cup could hang out for a while- perhaps a seat back pocket? If the only place you find is on the floor, that's fine for the moment-but make sure you pick it up and hand it to us when we come by, or ninety-nine percent of us will ignore it. We spend at least half of our careers picking up garbage- but we do have to draw the line somewhere, and the floor is pretty much it.
Reading lights are often in the same panel as the call buttons. Curiously, the lights generally have a drawing of a light bulb on them. This is not a game of "Pin the Tale on the Donkey"-please look before you push.
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