what's with the failure to listen?

Everyone hears the class bell to announce recess, the car horn to signal the arrival of a date, or that saccharine song from the movie Enchanted. But with instructions, I think listening must take a further step. It is not only receiving the message, but paying attention and heeding the message too.

So what's with the failure to listen to instructions?

Annika and Angela turning a deaf ear on me when I call them to bath is inevitable. But what is most irritating is the apathy of a group of people who disregard caution for their very lives and safety.

The airline attendant's calm voice in the public address system prompts everyone to remain seated when the seatbelt sign is still on. At that reminder, almost twenty people would remove their seatbelts. The voice continues to say that cellular phones should remain switched off - and as if this is the cue, you could hear the Nokia melody as mobiles are switched on. And the voice finally reminds the flight to only remove their carry-on baggage from the overhead compartment when the plane has finally come to a complete stop. Five would stand up. And a burly man would actually nudge your shoulder as he reaches up to open the compartment directly above you.

I mean, what's with the instructions being read backwards?

I had the chance to travel six times by air for the past month, and I've seen that this is most evident among Filipinos. And I think it has nothing to do with economic status nor educational achievement. Because the offenders, in a quick profile, are well-dressed, educated, professionals or involved in business, and not first-time flyers.

Could it be that the very act of defiance is simply most attractive?

Flight attendants should be replaced by drill sergeants. Just my opinion.