WonkaKid
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2009
In the past, many of you have interacted with my either via this board or, indeed, IRL at the park. I believe that I'm always a courteous and kind person -- mainly because I'm a kind and happy person. I hope that never changes.
Lately, however, I've encountered a few less-than-pleasant DL CMs. For the most part, I tend to ignore them. For example, many of the Buzz CMs know me by name or at least recognize my face and often greet me warmly. There's one, however, who I see all the time -- probably the one I see most frequently -- and that one person never, ever acknowledges me. Even when I look him/her straight in the face and smile. A friend and I kind of make fun of the situation. But not recognizing and greeting a guest that you see all the time strikes me as slightly rude. We often speculate that perhaps he's not a happy person or is simply shy. But if that's the case, perhaps DL isn't the best fit for him. The vast majority of CMs are always super nice and helpful.
About ten days ago as I walked past the registers at Pizza Planet with a cup of ice water, the checkout CM called out to me and said something along the lines of "Do you need to pay, sir?" As I held up my cup, I replied "Oh, no, actually. It's just ice water." I could see from his expression that he was mildly peeved; as if he was annoyed that his authority hadn't been acknowledged and/or respected. He then said something like "Well you still have to tell us anyway."
A few points about this. As most of us know, it's not what you say, it's how you say it. "Excuse me, bud. Can I sneak by you?" is far preferable to "Dude. Move yer azz." I didn't like that his tone was mildly rude. I also really didn't like "You have to tell us..." I'm a guest. I don't have to tell CMs anything. If he'd said "In future, would you please let us know so there's no confusion? It helps us a lot" I would have been happy to oblige. I get water at DL restaurants all the time -- I've done so at least 200-300 times in my life. No one has ever said that it's preferred that I inform CMs. Sometimes they'll glance at my cup and (I presume) can see that it's merely ice water. Do I understand why they might want to know? Of course. Do people here understand why I'd like to be spoken to courteously? I expect basic courtesy and respect at any establishment. At DL the standard is even higher. Indeed, probably the highest, which has helped to make it the platinum standard among amusement parks throughout the world.
I would have reported him to Guest Services but I didn't see his name tag. Later when I went back for a refill, he was no longer there. It was my plan not to tell him that I'd just gotten a refill. If he'd insisted again, I would have explained that "No, I don't have to do anything." I suspect Disney discourages CMs from telling guests what that have to do. Advising guests and explaining park policies politely is more likely what they're trained to do. Again, if he'd been cool and courteous, I would have been happy to oblige. If I do see him again, I'll definitely get his name and inform GS. I suspect I'm not the only one to whom he's been rude.
To be clear, I'm not saying that I can do as I please in the park. What I am saying is that if I've done something wrong, please let me know in the kindest possible terms and I'll be sure not to do it again. Has anyone encountered rude CMs and were they reported? If so, what happened?
I look forward to going to DL again this Sunday where no doubt all of the CMs will be awesome. I'd say that I've encountered rude ones perhaps five times or less. That's a great ratio for any business!
Lately, however, I've encountered a few less-than-pleasant DL CMs. For the most part, I tend to ignore them. For example, many of the Buzz CMs know me by name or at least recognize my face and often greet me warmly. There's one, however, who I see all the time -- probably the one I see most frequently -- and that one person never, ever acknowledges me. Even when I look him/her straight in the face and smile. A friend and I kind of make fun of the situation. But not recognizing and greeting a guest that you see all the time strikes me as slightly rude. We often speculate that perhaps he's not a happy person or is simply shy. But if that's the case, perhaps DL isn't the best fit for him. The vast majority of CMs are always super nice and helpful.
About ten days ago as I walked past the registers at Pizza Planet with a cup of ice water, the checkout CM called out to me and said something along the lines of "Do you need to pay, sir?" As I held up my cup, I replied "Oh, no, actually. It's just ice water." I could see from his expression that he was mildly peeved; as if he was annoyed that his authority hadn't been acknowledged and/or respected. He then said something like "Well you still have to tell us anyway."
A few points about this. As most of us know, it's not what you say, it's how you say it. "Excuse me, bud. Can I sneak by you?" is far preferable to "Dude. Move yer azz." I didn't like that his tone was mildly rude. I also really didn't like "You have to tell us..." I'm a guest. I don't have to tell CMs anything. If he'd said "In future, would you please let us know so there's no confusion? It helps us a lot" I would have been happy to oblige. I get water at DL restaurants all the time -- I've done so at least 200-300 times in my life. No one has ever said that it's preferred that I inform CMs. Sometimes they'll glance at my cup and (I presume) can see that it's merely ice water. Do I understand why they might want to know? Of course. Do people here understand why I'd like to be spoken to courteously? I expect basic courtesy and respect at any establishment. At DL the standard is even higher. Indeed, probably the highest, which has helped to make it the platinum standard among amusement parks throughout the world.
I would have reported him to Guest Services but I didn't see his name tag. Later when I went back for a refill, he was no longer there. It was my plan not to tell him that I'd just gotten a refill. If he'd insisted again, I would have explained that "No, I don't have to do anything." I suspect Disney discourages CMs from telling guests what that have to do. Advising guests and explaining park policies politely is more likely what they're trained to do. Again, if he'd been cool and courteous, I would have been happy to oblige. If I do see him again, I'll definitely get his name and inform GS. I suspect I'm not the only one to whom he's been rude.
To be clear, I'm not saying that I can do as I please in the park. What I am saying is that if I've done something wrong, please let me know in the kindest possible terms and I'll be sure not to do it again. Has anyone encountered rude CMs and were they reported? If so, what happened?
I look forward to going to DL again this Sunday where no doubt all of the CMs will be awesome. I'd say that I've encountered rude ones perhaps five times or less. That's a great ratio for any business!
. Just saying - it's possible he has no idea you are a regular, but hopefully he would be courteous no matter what.
.
