Andrew, a 17-year-old spoiled rich kid accustomed to having his way, often mistreats others. After seeing him mock a flight attendant, his father decides it’s time Andrew learns a lesson in respect.

“Can you move it faster?” Andrew grumbled impatiently as he maneuvered past an older man being assisted by a young flight attendant. The man had trouble walking, but Andrew didn’t think twice before mocking him and rushed to his seat.

Andrew had always lived a life of privilege, his every whim catered to by his wealthy parents. Boarding school hadn’t changed him; if anything, it had made him more entitled. As the plane took off, Andrew, a frequent flyer since childhood, lifted the window shade, feeling bored and eager to return home after his first semester at boarding school. He eventually rose to retrieve his tablet but left his bag protruding from the overhead bin.
A flight attendant, the same young woman Andrew had mocked earlier, approached him with a polite smile. “Excuse me, sir, could you please ensure your bag is fully inside the bin? It might fall and cause an injury.”
Andrew rolled his eyes, exhaling loudly. “Why don’t you do it? It’s your job, isn’t it?”

The attendant’s smile faltered slightly, but she maintained her professionalism. “I’m happy to help, but I need you to assist me to ensure it’s secure.”

Andrew scoffed and begrudgingly stood up, shoving the bag into the bin with unnecessary force. “There. Happy now?” he muttered, flopping back into his seat.

Unbeknownst to Andrew, his father, Mr. Walters, had boarded the plane as a surprise to accompany him home. He had been seated a few rows back and witnessed the entire interaction. Mr. Walters, a self-made man who valued respect and hard work, was deeply disappointed by his son’s behavior. He decided it was time Andrew learned a valuable lesson in humility and respect.

As the flight continued, Mr. Walters approached the same flight attendant and discreetly shared his plan. She agreed, her eyes lighting up with a mix of surprise and understanding.

When the plane landed, Mr. Walters waited as the other passengers disembarked. He walked up to Andrew, who was gathering his belongings with his usual air of indifference.

“Andrew, a word please,” Mr. Walters said sternly.

Andrew looked up, startled to see his father. “Dad? What are you doing here?”

“I was here to surprise you, but it seems I’ve been the one surprised,” Mr. Walters replied, his tone cold. “I saw how you treated the flight attendant and that older gentleman.”

Andrew’s face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. “I was just in a hurry, Dad. It’s not a big deal.”

“It is a big deal,” Mr. Walters said firmly. “Respect is important, Andrew. No matter who you are or how much money you have, you must treat others with kindness and respect.”

Andrew shrugged, not quite grasping the gravity of his father’s words. “Alright, Dad. Can we go now?”

“Not yet,” Mr. Walters replied, his expression stern. He turned to the flight attendant, who was now standing nearby, and said, “Andrew, you will apologize to her.”

Andrew rolled his eyes. “Seriously, Dad?”

“Yes, seriously,” Mr. Walters said. “Apologize.”

Andrew sighed heavily and turned to the flight attendant. “I’m sorry,” he muttered, barely meeting her eyes.

Mr. Walters shook his head. “That’s not good enough. Look her in the eyes and mean it.”

Andrew clenched his jaw, feeling humiliated. But he knew better than to defy his father when he used that tone. He looked up at the flight attendant and said, “I’m sorry for being rude to you. It was wrong of me.”

The flight attendant nodded graciously. “Thank you, Andrew. I appreciate your apology.”

Mr. Walters then turned to his son. “We’re not done yet. Follow me.”

They exited the plane and headed to the airport lounge, where Mr. Walters had arranged for Andrew to meet with several employees – from janitors to customer service representatives. Andrew spent the next few hours listening to their stories, learning about their jobs, and understanding the importance of respect and hard work.

By the end of the day, Andrew was exhausted but had a newfound appreciation for those who worked behind the scenes. He realized how his actions and words affected others and began to understand the value of treating everyone with dignity.

As they finally left the airport, Mr. Walters placed a hand on Andrew’s shoulder. “Remember, son, wealth and privilege don’t make you better than anyone else. It’s your actions and how you treat others that define your character.”

Andrew nodded, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. “I understand, Dad. I’ll do better.”

Mr. Walters smiled, satisfied that his son had learned an important lesson. “Good. Now let’s go home.”