.

[Sean91]

A lot of cast members are College Programme kids there for the experience... I wouldn't really get a thrill out of "upstaging" them. It's very peculiar that somebody would imo.

 

[GeneralTso]

OMG that sounds SUPER annoying! I feel sorry for that poor girl. I'm sure she had a "bless your ever loving heart" moment and wished you would go away.
Those college program kids do their best. Not every one of them is a Disney fanatic. What may have been "fun" and "magical" for you was probably the opposite for her.

I've seen enough fan boys and girls on property just geeking out over all things Disney. For the most part, they are having a blast and it's no problem. I'm never (ever) impressed with someone who is trying to show someone up with their wealth of Disney knowledge. It's not becoming. It's irritating and embarrassing.

 

[Pixiedustaway]

Why does the name Sheldon Cooper keep coming to me?

Ha. At least he knows he's a know it all... and a fictional character. ;-)

 

[MetalMasterC]

I've had it happen to me a long time ago. I basically shrugged it off and continued working. lol

At the end of the day, Disney Cast Members are the same as retail employees. I work in a hardware store, but I don't know everything about things there. I don't expect a CM to in their respective place either.

 

[JeanfromBNA]

Maybe because it really isn't important? Or at least the CM didn't consider it important.

Could be that the CM had a major that didn't spend a lot of time on population numbers? I'm sure my son could give an estimate but he wouldn't be with 10 million. But ask a question about physics or advanced math, he's your guy.

I think that if you're working as a representative of a country, like at the kids stop, but not, for example, at a food cart, you should know basic information about the country. That would include population, approximate size of the country, who the current leaders are, a little bit of history such as when the current country government was founded, national symbols, a few landmarks, important people who are from the country, etc. How else are you going to be able to engage with guests? The pavilions for each country are supposed to be educational for the guests, not a place for CP CMs to discuss whatever they're interested in.

We do ask the CP CMs about their hometowns and their experiences both at home and at WDW.

 

[cruiser21]

Wow, that's a lot of assumption on your part. I doubt she felt bad. She probably clocked out, went home, and told her roommate all about the crazy day she had at work. I don't understand why you would purposely barrage the poor CM, trying to one-up her with "disney trivia". I'm sure she had actual work to do, but was being nice and humoring you.

I'm an ER nurse. I deal with all kinds of people some sane and some not. When the days over I clock out. Sometimes I tell my family about my day. The crazies I took care of, or the nice people I took care for. Most of the time as soon as I walk out the door I'm done.. and back to my other life as mom and wife. I agree I think it's going out on a limb to think the CM even cared. Most people have lives and bigger things to worry about then Disney trivia. Does anyone really care about Disney Trivia?

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I'm an ER nurse. I deal with all kinds of people some sane and some not. When the days over I clock out. Sometimes I tell my family about my day. The crazies I took care of, or the nice people I took care for. Most of the time as soon as I walk out the door I'm done.. and back to my other life as mom and wife. I agree I think it's going out on a limb to think the CM even cared. Most people have lives and bigger things to worry about then Disney trivia. Does anyone really care about Disney Trivia?

Me too! Well, I'm a prn float nurse who gets pulled to the ER frequently (my hat's off to those of you who can work in that chaos full-time!). I guess nurses are just well-practiced at making annoying/crazy/nonsensical people feel validated (I'm looking at you, upper level management ). I, too, typically vent for a minute to a coworker about the crazy person in 209 or whatever, then I swipe my badge and head home to my life.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I think that if you're working as a representative of a country, like at the kids stop, but not, for example, at a food cart, you should know basic information about the country. That would include population, approximate size of the country, who the current leaders are, a little bit of history such as when the current country government was founded, national symbols, a few landmarks, important people who are from the country, etc. How else are you going to be able to engage with guests? The pavilions for each country are supposed to be educational for the guests, not a place for CP CMs to discuss whatever they're interested in.

We do ask the CP CMs about their hometowns and their experiences both at home and at WDW.

I can't imagine quizing a CM the population of the country, size, history or whatever. If I truly was interested in that I would "google" it and maybe before the trip so that I was versed in it. I don't think they need to know silly little tidbits that most guests are not even going ask questions about. I can see "some" of those questions, however, if I was in their country on a guided tour.

 

[Aliceacc]

If you mean "upstaging" the way I've always heard it used-- to put someone else down by showing off that you're better at something than they are--- then I would never dream of doing that to anyone. It's rude and hurtful. I don't need to build myself up by putting someone else down. It's the behavior of 15 year old "mean girls" in high school.

If you mean that you've had a conversation with a Disney employee where you both have been able to share some details the other wasn't aware of, then I think it's a different matter. Having a conversation is a different matter than trying to make someone feel badly. I'm kind of hoping that this is what you meant, though your post doesn't read that way.

But still, nope. I'm the expert in my own classroom most of the time. I don't need to play the expert when it means stepping on someone else's toes.

 

[Squirlz]

I'm an ER nurse. I deal with all kinds of people some sane and some not. When the days over I clock out. Sometimes I tell my family about my day. The crazies I took care of, or the nice people I took care for. Most of the time as soon as I walk out the door I'm done.. and back to my other life as mom and wife. I agree I think it's going out on a limb to think the CM even cared. Most people have lives and bigger things to worry about then Disney trivia. Does anyone really care about Disney Trivia?

I'm aware of one person who does.

 

[JeanfromBNA]

I can't imagine quizing a CM the population of the country, size, history or whatever. If I truly was interested in that I would "google" it and maybe before the trip so that I was versed in it. I don't think they need to know silly little tidbits that most guests are not even going ask questions about. I can see "some" of those questions, however, if I was in their country on a guided tour.

Some guests are curious. "Silly little tidbits" are part of a wider conversation about the country. Like I said, World Showcase was supposed to be educational. Otherwise, why not hire local labor to staff the booth and add lumberjack and hockey costumes, instead of taking the time to find people from Canada? If I wanted to Google something, I can save money and stay home.

I always learn something from the African staff at AKL. They love to talk about their home towns, countries, and the African continent, and they are very knowledgeable, to a person. I will never forget when I was told "welcome home" in a click language. Blew me away.

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

Cast members are so great at what they do all of them, some are new or newer and some are seasoned pros, I'm grateful for everything they do, they go above and beyond to make us guests HAPPY.

 

[mustinjourney]

Sharing memories... One time a CM told me about a great, little known spot to watch the fireworks, where the music is piped in and its less crowded. I already knew about said spot, but I replied "Thank you so much for your help!", because I knew she had good intentions. I felt really happy and went on my way.

and where is said spot? Asking for a friend.

 

[amberpi]

This all happened in 2001, so take it with a grain of salt. I can't just change the past at a snap of my fingers. What's done is done. I'm not sure how bad the 'damage' was, but I felt good at the time knowing that I knew more than the CM. She was probably happy to know I knew so much and we were very courteous to each other, and I know she stumped me too on a number of things. It was nice to have that little tete-a-tete with a CM.

You felt good in knowing more than a CM? What kind of credentials do you think CMs have? Disney may well be just a job to that individual, not a hobby. I think that the whole thing sounds a poop show and generally mean spirited. I also don't expect CMs to spend their time shooting that same poop with me, since you know, they have to work.

 

[amberpi]

I think that if you're working as a representative of a country, like at the kids stop, but not, for example, at a food cart, you should know basic information about the country. That would include population, approximate size of the country, who the current leaders are, a little bit of history such as when the current country government was founded, national symbols, a few landmarks, important people who are from the country, etc. How else are you going to be able to engage with guests? The pavilions for each country are supposed to be educational for the guests, not a place for CP CMs to discuss whatever they're interested in.

We do ask the CP CMs about their hometowns and their experiences both at home and at WDW.

I'm seriously wondering about the percentage of Americans that could rattle that info off about the US...said mostly in jest

 

[Hannahinwonderland]

I'm seriously wondering about the percentage of Americans that could rattle that info off about the US...said mostly in jest

The other day I seriously embarrassed myself..I massively under-guessed the number of people in NYC, where I live. 8.4 million is a LOT OF PEOPLE.

 

[spbink]

I think this is a very male thing to do. I've definitely had people say to me, "Oh you're a comic book fan? Then name what issue so -and-so first appeared, and also who was the letterer on issue #48 of the third run. If you don't know you can't possibly be a fan and you are a fakey fake faker."

Like, my enjoyment of something doesn't need to be proven to you. And a person doesn't prove they're a bigger fan just because they can memorize minutia. And I say this as someone who loves trivia, and Disney trivia especially. You should always approach sharing it as "Did you know...?" not "Bet you didn't know!"

 

[DisBabe94]

I think this is a very male thing to do. I've definitely had people say to me, "Oh you're a comic book fan? Then name what issue so -and-so first appeared, and also who was the letterer on issue #48 of the third run. If you don't know you can't possibly be a fan and you are a fakey fake faker."

Like, my enjoyment of something doesn't need to be proven to you. And a person doesn't prove they're a bigger fan just because they can memorize minutia. And I say this as someone who loves trivia, and Disney trivia especially. You should always approach sharing it as "Did you know...?" not "Bet you didn't know!"

Lol yes, it's called "gatekeeping"
http://i.imgur.com/p6OqSOn.jpg

 

[spbink]

Lol yes, it's called "gatekeeping"
http://i.imgur.com/p6OqSOn.jpg

Ha! So accurate!

 

[amberpi]

Lol yes, it's called "gatekeeping"
http://i.imgur.com/p6OqSOn.jpg

Or, the more colloquial mansplaining.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Mansplain