Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Company Policy
I am writing this report due to the potential this type of incident has to distract aircrew; particularly the pilots.   I believe Purser X; was attempting to implement her own personal mask policy with respect to eating and drinking.  Even though I complied with her excessive demands after our first encounter; she immediately escalated the issue and contacted the flight crew (because I asked her name); thereby creating a potential distraction to the flight crew.Summary of events follows:  A couple of minutes after being served a drink; I was actively drinking and had my mask down.  Purser X; came by only a few minutes later and said I had to put my mask up.  I told her I was actively drinking and I had actually just set the cup down.  She said my mask had to be replaced between each sip.  I identified myself as an employee and told her I disagreed with her interpretation of the policy.  Of note; I have never had a Flight Attendant make such an assertion before.  I told her I was actively drinking and she said; that what I was doing was not allowed and reiterated; I had to put my mask up between sips.  She also immediately threatened to 'Go to the pilots' when I challenged her interpretation. I complied with her dictate; though I believed it to be errant; and put my mask up; dropping it only between sips of my drink thereafter.  Of note; the Flight Attendant deadheading adjacent to me left his mask down for long periods of time while eating and drinking; so it appears he had the same opinion as I did.  Afterwards; when she passed back by; I asked her if she would give me her name as I felt I needed to report this incident; since she threatened to go to the pilots and I considered her interpretation of the policy to be errant.  She refused to give me her name and said she was ' Going to the pilots' now; because I asked her name.   If Airline X intended her rule to be the standard; then I'm certain Airline X would specifically state that mask must be replaced between sips and bites as opposed to actively drinking or eating.  I reread the policy and I still believe her interpretation is errant.  I also checked with the ZZZ Chief Pilot office and they also believe there is nothing to support her interpretation of the mask policy.In summary; I believe her actions; specifically developing her own policy and her abrasive engagement has the high potential of creating additional conflicts with passengers and unnecessary distractions to the cockpit.
First Officer who was deadheading reported a disagreement with a Flight Attendant regarding interpretation of mask policy.