A QANTAS passenger who blasted airline staff for addressing her as 'Miss' instead of 'Doctor' has seen her complaint spectacularly backfire on social media after users mocked her ego.
Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer, a senior lecturer at the University of Exeter, was left in a tizzy by the way cabin crew referred to her on a recent flight - claiming it was an example of "everyday sexism".
The Australian academic quickly took to Twitter to let Qantas know just how upset she was over the apparent faux-pas.
She wrote: "Hey Qantas, my name is Dr O’Dwyer. My ticket says Dr O’Dwyer.
"Do not look at my ticket, look at me, look back at my ticket, decide it’s a typo, and call me Miss O’Dwyer.
"I did not spend eight years at university to be called Miss."
Hey @Qantas, my name is Dr O’Dwyer. My ticket says Dr O’Dwyer. Do not look at my ticket, look at me, look back at my ticket, decide it’s a typo, and call me Miss O’Dwyer. I did not spend 8 years at university to be called Miss.
— Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer (@Siobhan_ODwyer) August 31, 2018
The tweet has since received more than 1,000 retweets and 8,000 likes.
But many accused O'Dwyer of "wanting a pat on the back" and even "asking for trouble".
One wrote: "I have two friends who are non-medical doctors. I didn't find out for years.
"Outside of professional conferences they don't use it.
"You're asking for trouble on an aircraft. A passenger gets stuck and they'll ask you for help".
Exactly
— Anthony (@anth__russell) September 2, 2018
Another snapped: "I don’t believe anyone is obliged to call you doctor. Did you do your degree to learn or get a title?"
I don’t believe anyone is obliged to call you doctor. Did you do your degree to learn or get a title?
— Drake (@GDam3003) September 2, 2018
A third added: "Me. Me. Me. It obviously wasn't intentional. If you want a pat on the back, just ask for it."
Me. Me. Me. It obviously wasn't intentional. If you want a pat on the back, just ask for it.
— Michael Stephenson (@StevoHimself) September 3, 2018
Soon the backlash became all too much and the lecturer posted a follow up tweet claiming her complaint "was not about my ego".
She said: "Copping so much flack for this tweet. This was not about my ego.
"It was about highlighting one of a thousand instances of sexism that women encounter every day.
"It’s not about the title, it’s about the fact that this wouldn’t have happened if I was a man."
Try saying ‘hello’ to 150-350 people in 20 mins and get all the names and titles correct. All whilst checking the flight number, departure & arrival point, date and seat number on every boarding pass. Oh and ensuring nobody is too sick/drunk to fly. Mistakes happen. Sorry Doctor
— Rob Hood (@kaffeinenvino) September 4, 2018
Hey Miss O’Dwyer I heard you’re working in UK well just so you know we don’t like ego’s and attitudes. My friends who are Dr’s are humble. Maybe you need a slice of their pie. Qantas got you here safe right ?!
— Leyla Habebti (@loopielala) September 5, 2018
And do you honestly think they stood there thinking, "Doctor? No, this can't be right. Must be a typo!" Get real.
— Michael Stephenson (@StevoHimself) September 3, 2018
Still disgruntled by the lack of positive attention her complaint had received, O'Dwyer added: "The vitriol in my feed at the moment is staggering
"Ten years ago when I got my PhD, I went into the bank & said I wanted to change my title. The woman said 'Congratulations! What’s your married name?' - Sigh."
Oh, the horror.
Hi Dr. O’Dwyer. It’s great and all you have a PhD. I get it must have took a lot of hard work and effort. But tone down on the ego, ok?
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) September 5, 2018
For a smart person you’re not too bright. This comment is clearly not about sexism otherwise you would have labeled it as such. This is about your inflated ego an entitlement.
— Simon Wilde 🇳🇿 (@Wildeturkey) September 5, 2018
Oh dear, maybe your title should be ‘en-title’?
— Rob Suisted (@RobSuisted) September 2, 2018
Qantas released a simple and dignified response to Dr O'Dwyer's vilification of its staff.
A spokesperson for the airline said: "We are extremely proud of our cabin crew, who respectfully serve our customers every day and play a vital safety role."
Classy, unlike some.
