Keeping your children on the other side of the business class curtain －子供たちをビジネスクラスのカーテンの向こう側に座らせること－

I have never flown business class.  I wouldn’t mind paying 10 per cent extra for a little more space, and a curtain to keep out the poor people.  But business class tickets are usually three times the price of economy class tickets.  I’d rather spend extra money when I get to where I am going than on the plane journey.

But some people are rich enough not to mind the expense.  If you are a tv celebrity, for example, you can probably afford business class.  And you have extra reason to enjoy the curtain that keeps out poor people.  You don’t want to be bothered by autograph hunters.

But what does a tv celebrity do when travelling with their children?  The kids can’t drink the free Champagne.  They are unlikely to fully appreciate the in-flight dining options, such as tarragon and orange cured salmon with vegetable caviar.

British tv presenter Kirstie Allsopp recently talked about her answer to this.  She and her partner sit in the business class cabin, and her 10 and 12 year old sons sit in economy class.  Explaining her reasons, she said that having the kids sit in business class would be a massive waste of money.  She also said “[Business class] should be a huge treat that you’ve worked for.  If kids get used to [business class] then what do they have to work towards?”

Some people complained about this.  They pointed out that if the kids misbehaved or needed help, then it would annoy other passengers and give extra work to the flight attendants.

But I wonder whether there is a bigger problem?  If you keep the kids on the other side of the curtain while you sip on Champagne and nibble on caviar, couldn’t that cause resentment in the kids, which will come out in the future?  What if the kids get their revenge when you are old and sick?  “Sorry, Mummy.  Being loved by your children is something you have to work towards.  We wouldn’t want to spoil you with visits to the nursing home.”

I’m just jealous.  I’ve always wanted to peek behind that curtain.

Vocabulary:

the expense – the cost

a celebrity – a famous person, especially in entertainment or sport

an autograph hunter – someone who tries to collect the signatures of famous people

a treat – a special luxury or reward

to nibble on something – to eat something in small bites

resentment – a bitter feeling of having been treated unfairly

to spoil someone – usually of a child, to treat someone overly leniently or softly so that their character is badly affected