Different behaviors

Reflecting on my flights I have to describe some noteworthy experiences at Narita and HCM airports.

When the plane landed in Narita there was the usual announcement over the pa about keeping seat belts buckled until the sign was off. We taxied for several minutes and finally pulled up to the terminal. The plane stoped and finally the fasten seat belt sign was turned off. Once the sign was off the sound of seat belts unbuckling was almost a chorous. It was then I realized I hadn't heard any unbuckling to that point!

Departing Narita included an equally unusual experience. Once the plane was pushed back from the gate and turned perpendicular to it to begin taxiing away the ground crew stood in a line and waved at the departing plane. One fellow was a bit late to the line and I saw him drop what he was doing and run over to join his colleagues and wave us off.

These experiences added weight to my preconception of Japanese orderliness.

The experience on landing in HCM was quite different! Once the plane touched down again there was the expected announcement about staying seated. Not long after that and before the plane had turned off the runway I heard seat belts being unbuckled.

Once we had turned onto the taxiway more belts were unbuckled and people got up, opened overhead compartments and started pulling carryon items down! At this point the stewardess came into the asile and asked everyone to sit down now and buckle up. Everyone complied although several people took their time about it and finished rummaging through the overhead before returning to their seats.

Once we had stopped at the gate and before the seat belt sign was turned off seat belts were again unbuckled and people were up and emptying the overheads. I'd have to say the Vietnamese are a bit unrully compared to the Japanese.