About twenty years ago, we decided to fly with the German Lufthansa airline from London to Bangalore. A short flight from London took us to Frankfurt am Main, where we had to embark on another ‘plane for the long flight between Frankfurt and Bangalore.

We travelled as ‘economy’ class passengers, although the cost of the flight was far from economical. Soon after boarding the second flight, the lengthy one between Germany and India, we were served an acceptable meal, which included non-veg items. It contained meat.

After some time, when we were nearing our destination, we were served another meal. This time it was pure vegetarian. Now, I have nothing against vegetarian food, but, if it is available, I like a bit of fish or meat with my meal. Feeling rather ‘bolshie’, I summoned the fight attendant, and told her, not entirely truthfully:

“I cannot eat vegetarian food. I can’t eat this. I must have some meat.”

She replied:

“Ah. In Germany, we only eat meat once a day.”

I looked at her, and said truthfully:

“I have visited Germany many times, and each time I have seen Germans eating meat several times a day.”

She did not dispute this. I continued:

“Speak to the purser. See if you can get me some non-veg food.”

She walked away, and after a few minutes, emerged from the business-class and first-class cabin area. She was carrying a tray, which she placed in front of me. It had a wonderful selection of seafood.

Evidently, even thousands of feet above the ground, a German airline was happy to serve non-veg food more than once a day … providing one had paid for a business or first-class seat.