Losing faith in humanity

[funcinderella]

Did he have an East coast accent?

Uncalled for...seriously...

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

of course,I'm not saying I don't mind it.... but I tend to ignore it if it's not easily stopped,aka the stupid kids trying get ahead in a long line (they're easy to stop) I look at it more like ignoring the fools is a better way to enjoy my own vacation.....though in OP's story,I think I would have probably reported to guest services,as this was pretty flagrant.....people tring to sneak around corners,etc is standard, pushing and yelling is just...ugh. But the good def. outweighs the bad.....

I fully understand what your saying and I agree with it to a point...but the problem is......the longer the rude people get away with it the more they will do it and the more others will think they can do it!


I have seen many posts in the Diz by people who think.....gee if Disney didn't stop those folks from doing.*whatever*,then I guess its ok for me and my family or group to do it!


AKK

 

[NotUrsula]

I blame the rise of such behavior in public to the popularity of reality TV. When people get paid to be rude and obnoxious on television and it is presented as their real life, then other people get the idea that it is acceptable and even desirable to behave that way in public.

 

[funcinderella]

LIne cutting is my biggest pet peeve; when I was young, I used to be shy, and I have to say line cutters are what broke me of that habit at age 15 when I couldn't stand it any longer. What an enlightening feeling to stand up to those people, and then have the whole crowd stand behind me and help point out every single one of the group of line cutters to security.

It feels so much better to be nice to people, I just don't get it. My favorite thing to do during a parade if we have a front row seat is to turn around, see if there are any little kids behind us straining to see, and invite them to come in front of us. People did that for my kids when they were little, so it's nice to pay it forward...

 

[Sorsha]

of course,I'm not saying I don't mind it.... but I tend to ignore it if it's not easily stopped,aka the stupid kids trying get ahead in a long line (they're easy to stop) I look at it more like ignoring the fools is a better way to enjoy my own vacation.....though in OP's story,I think I would have probably reported to guest services,as this was pretty flagrant.....people tring to sneak around corners,etc is standard, pushing and yelling is just...ugh. But the good def. outweighs the bad.....

This is how I feel too. I am not going to get into a confrontation, verbal or physical, with some idiot just because he cuts me in line. It will make ME look like a fool and embarrass me and those around me. Let's face it, I am not going to be delayed in my opportunity to ride Dumbo by more than a minute or two just because someone cuts in front of me. I will live.

I, personally, think a lot of the downfall of "manners" and "kindness" is caused by the fact that EVERYONE is so hot-tempered and quick to fly off the handle, both the original rude person, and the one who was wronged. Rude people have always been around, but it only escalates the situation if I am suddenly pushing, in-their-face, demanding my spot back, rude right back to them. Two wrongs don't make a right.

Two of the most important things I tell my children are (Bambi) "If you don't have somethin' nice to say, don't say nuttin' at all" and "Keep. Your. Temper." (That one is from a Disney movie too, I can hear it, just can't place it LOL) When there is potential for a confrontation, speak quietly and politely, or if it is over something trivial, ignore the butthead.

No need to join in with the rest of society in looking like a hot-headed fool.

 

[JasonDVC]

to the OP...oddly enough, this is common behavior in some countries and cultures.

I was in a European country, waiting in what I thought was a line, to order an espresso, when a man behind me started shouting his order at the bartender. The bartender proceeded to make his order. I gave the man a stare and he just looked at me with a "What's your problem?" look. I figured, fine I'm next anyway. Then a little old lady behind me to my right shouts out her order and the bartender makes her order too. Now i'm pi**ed! I then say to the bartender (in that country's language because I speak it), "Hey, I've been here waiting!" He replies, "You have to say what you want."

The system there is that there is no such thing as a line. Whomever shouts out their order gets served.

I'm wondering if the man who cut you in line was a foreigner and if that is simply the behavior he is used to.

 

[terribm]

OP, I am sorry that happened to your family. There are few things more frustrating but you handled yourself with grace and class. Not many people would either have that restraint.

We were recently at a Bucsh Gardens theme park and there were signs on each ride that said something to effect of line cutting will not be tolerated and you will be escorted out of the park without refund if caught. Why couldn't Disney have the same sort of policy? The only thing I can think of is language barriers.

 

[Greaser69]

to the OP...oddly enough, this is common behavior in some countries and cultures.

I was in a European country, waiting in what I thought was a line, to order an espresso, when a man behind me started shouting his order at the bartender. The bartender proceeded to make his order. I gave the man a stare and he just looked at me with a "What's your problem?" look. I figured, fine I'm next anyway. Then a little old lady behind me to my right shouts out her order and the bartender makes her order too. Now i'm pi**ed! I then say to the bartender (in that country's language because I speak it), "Hey, I've been here waiting!" He replies, "You have to say what you want."

The system there is that there is no such thing as a line. Whomever shouts out their order gets served.

I'm wondering if the man who cut you in line was a foreigner and if that is simply the behavior he is used to.

Well I hope it was not in Germany....

In my opinion rude people like this only learn the hard way. So I always be someone who will raise his voice against people misbehaving.

 

[kamik86]

Honestly in the case of someone cutting like that I would make it an issue with the CM. As in telling them I was next and putting in my order. If I wasn't served next I would be asking for a manager and filling a complain about the CM and guest services for allowing it.

Why take it out on the CM? Because unfortunately the reason rude people can do this is Disney knows that the rude people will make a bigger issue. Nicer people won't make a confrontation so to avoid conflict they let the rude people do whatever. If the rule followers start causing a confrontation with the CM so that they have to deal with an angry guest no matter what maybe the rules will be enforced.

 

[dvcdisney]

I blame the rise of such behavior in public to the popularity of reality TV. When people get paid to be rude and obnoxious on television and it is presented as their real life, then other people get the idea that it is acceptable and even desirable to behave that way in public.

Although I agree that environment does play a role in this downward spiral, but after many visits to Disney I believe that some people are just a horrible waste - with absolutely no conscience - whether they lack the intelligence to understand the consequences or they are true sociopaths. Either way, the best way to deal with this is to promote good morals/ethics/integrity in our children, families and friends.

This will ensure that GOOD will always outnumber bad.

 

[deegack]

When a society doesn't have a higher being that they feel they have to answer to, then the foundation of similar morality is not there. This causes an individualism type mentality that has no boundaries.

We have no one to blame but ourselves for allowing the decay of society because we allow those with the agenda to remove that moral standard from governing us.

How do we stop it? Put our trust back where it belongs. If not, chaos will inevitably follow.

most people I know that do not believe in a higher being have better morals than those I know who do believe in a higher being. Many of the Founding Fathers did not believe in a higher being.

Its an entitlement mentality that has nothing to do with religious beliefs. If you teach your children, by word or action, that they are more special than others then you end up with a society of brats. I think a lot comes from attempts to improve self esteem. Everyone was told they were special and they believed it. So great, they have wonderful self esteem but can't understand why they have to wait in line like the normal people

 

[pixie3]

THIS!!,...I would NOT have stood for it...you stand up to bullies especially in front of your kids. The CM did NOTHING????...Just served him???

I would NOT let that happen...no way..no how!

Uncalled for...seriously...

Yes!

 

[Sorsha]

most people I know that do not believe in a higher being have better morals than those I know who do believe in a higher being. Many of the Founding Fathers did not believe in a higher being.

Its an entitlement mentality that has nothing to do with religious beliefs. If you teach your children, by word or action, that they are more special than others then you end up with a society of brats. I think a lot comes from attempts to improve self esteem. Everyone was told they were special and they believed it. So great, they have wonderful self esteem but can't understand why they have to wait in line like the normal people

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

They also believe they have the right to get all-up-in-the-face of the line cutters because they were right and Played By The Rules and DID stand in line, so now they can righteously be snarky to the Naughty People.

 

[POOHsie]

OK, so we just returned from Disney World, where we spent a magical eight days (9 if you count the two half-days we spent the day we arrived and left). For the most part, it was a wonderful, glorious week. Did a lot of new things, experienced a lot of new rides/attractions, ate at lots of new places.

But I'd like to rant, if I'm allowed a second. My week there really made me lose a lot of faith in society.

There wasn't a parade or nighttime spectacular show we attended where some yahoo rushed in at the last minute and stood right in front of one or both of my kids.

I can't even count the number of times I either was hit from behind by an aggressive stroller/ECV while walking, or ran into someone who decided that that very instant would be the perfect time to stop and check their text messages.

But the coup de grace, as they say, came on our last day in the Magic Kingdom. We were in line at Main Street bakery for breakfast. It was right at park opening, so probably 9:05 to 9:10. There was already a line, and the line naturally continued to grow (after all, who can resist the wonderful smells?). Well, after about a 15-minute wait, we finally get to where we can order. By now, the line is wrapped around the queue and out the doors. I'm about to order, and this scumbag (sorry, gotta keep it PG) walks right in front of me to the counter and starts ordering. I try to keep my cool and politely say to him "Excuse me sir, the line is back there" (pointing to the line spiraling out the door). He says "I know where the line is, but I've got four hungry kids and I ain't about to wait in line." To which I respond, well my two kids are hungry also and we've already waited in line and I'm sure everyone else in line would appreciate if you waited your turn also. He just shot me a look and proceeded to order. It took all I had not to ask for WDW security to be called, but I resisted and let the guy do what he had to do. It just really bugged me that he not only had the nerve to cut a dozen or so people in line, he knew he was cutting and didn't care one bit.

While we were eating, I had a lady come to me and say she's a Disney regular and had never witnessed such a vulgar display. The good thing is that I used a lot of the rudeness we experienced in Disney to teach my two boys right from wrong. I think they were obviously paying attention, because we got several compliments on how well-mannered they were during the trip.

Anyway, sorry for the rant, but I felt like I really needed to get that off my chest. I'm sure we've all had those experiences, and luckily the good experiences are much more plentiful than the bad. It's just unfortunate that the bad experiences are the ones that leave that lingering taste.

Parade squatters can be a big headache. There's no answer except to be positioned right at the rope or curb and don't leave your spot.

People operating strollers and ECVs shouldn't be automatically labeled as operating their equipment aggressively. You admit it's hard for you to stop suddenly if someone in front of you stops unexpectedly. Some goes for someone with a stroller or ECV. Only, they take an extra moment to stop, because they carry an item of weight. Sure, we've all read about the rare jerks. The rest of them, visitors just like you, who are just trying to mind their business and navigate the crowds, are only accidentally touching someone. Blame it on crowded conditions, not bad intentions.

Line cutters are despicable, and sorry for your experience at MSB. I can't tell you the number of times this happened to me in the check-out line at the grocery or drug store when I lived in Miami for 25 years. People just snuck up from the side and claimed to be in front of me in line! I think it's something that happens more in populous places that are chronically crowded.

I would not lose your faith in humanity. If crowded times are the only times you can visit WDW, concentrate on the great memories of your vacation and accept that people are going to be bumping into one another. The line cutters and parade squatters, know it's going to happen (unfortunately). Defend yourself if possible, but be ready to lose the game. That's what it is to these people, after all -- a game.

 

[JasonDVC]

Well I hope it was not in Germany....

In my opinion rude people like this only learn the hard way. So I always be someone who will raise his voice against people misbehaving.

LOL...No it wasn't. If I was in Germany I would have been ordering a stein of beer, not an espresso.

 

[kamik86]

My family friend was in the CP this year and the amount of verbal and physical abuse she took from guests is mind-boggling and definitely caused me to lose whatever faith in society I had heretofore possessed.

The worst job was merging FP and stand by lines in a location at the MK. The number of people who don't know about FP is really shocking (and the number of people who get incensed and crazy angry that "those people get to go first" is actually quite scary for our society. I mean if you lose your marbles over waiting in line to get on a child's ride at the MK, how do you handle the annoyances of daily life?) She was called the worst names you can imagine for letting FP people go first -- all in front of children. She also witnessed shoving, pushing, hitting and name-calling in the standby line as people cut lines or tried to. The problem was that the CM in that merge position is alone and has no phone to call for security or the manager. The CMs were basically told to use "their best judgment" but to avoid leaving their actual post to get to a phone to call for help. And when it is bad enough to leave their post and call for back up, it seldom arrives in a timely basis and if it does, nothing happens to the badly behaving guest. This was true even of the guest who SLAPPED my family friend -- absolutely nothing happened to her. (And my friend ended up with a hand-print shaped bruise on her arm for two weeks.)

So why should the CM do anything? It's easier and safer to let a guest behave badly and just get them thru the line asap. A significant part of the problem is that the way Disney is run, bad behavior is rewarded.

My advice is that if you see guest behavior that is upsetting and harms your enjoyment of the park, report it to guest services. If enough people complained, maybe they'd increase the number of CMs, give them communication devices, and have the managers back them up instead of placating the bad guests.

In that case I would leave my post and management and the police because you were assaulted. If nothing was done I would honestly quit my job and then go to the media about how this large company is not protecting their employees against assault just to give them some bad press. No job is worth being assaulted for.

 

[kerplop]

I think the problem with people on vacation is that they tend to leave their brains and their manners at home. There also seems to be an inordinately large amount of people on vacation who seem really angry about being there. I don't pretend to understand it. Thankfully I'm a pretty big lady, built more like a linebacker than any of the boys in my family (thanks mom and dad for the genetics) and most people don't try to push around me. When we went to WDW I only noticed a couple line cutters and they were dealt with. One was a middle aged woman and her teenage son, who got past the first FP person at the start of the queues and then jumped over the barriers to the FP line. They were in for quite a rude surprise when they got to the last FP checker and she turned them away.

The worst rudeness I saw was at parades, without a doubt. It's when that entitlement kicks in and parents who think that their little precious should not have to wait an hour for a good seat are suddenly shoving into your space. That's when you band together with other people who were there first, though. When we went to the MSEP and Wishes there was a gang of adults looking out for each other and the kids, but of course some lady shoved her kids through us to put them in front of the kids that had been waiting. And then while they're sitting there she handed them nachos and popcorn, telling them they better eat it during the parade. She was even dumping popcorn all over the little kids who weren't hers. But I don't blame her kids and I didn't demand they move, I just told them, "please be careful with your food so you don't get it on other people!" and they were happy to comply.

The problem is the brainless/entitled parents and I really can't do anything about them other than start a fight I don't want to finish while I'm enjoying my vacation.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Uncalled for...seriously...

Give me a break. It was a joke.

 

[dwight16]

well i look it like this

THE MK has probably the most diverse collection of people in the world. from all parts of the county and the world. exclude the non US people there are people probably from each state there at all times. I boil it down to 3 things economics and sense of entitlement and some are just A$$holes. if its ok in the trailer park it might not be ok in disney world. People tent to act just like they act at home. its all on how your raised....

 

[t_catt11]

Honestly in the case of someone cutting like that I would make it an issue with the CM. As in telling them I was next and putting in my order. If I wasn't served next I would be asking for a manager and filling a complain about the CM and guest services for allowing it.

Why take it out on the CM? Because unfortunately the reason rude people can do this is Disney knows that the rude people will make a bigger issue. Nicer people won't make a confrontation so to avoid conflict they let the rude people do whatever. If the rule followers start causing a confrontation with the CM so that they have to deal with an angry guest no matter what maybe the rules will be enforced.

This is probably the only answer. And sadly, this means that you have to take time out of your vacation.

I will say, OP, that you ought to contact guest services - wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com - and share your story. Perhaps a flood of these tales might help.