50's Prime Time Blunder

[emmabemmainc]

Actually, if the waiter told me I had to pay for the next table for whatever reason, etc etc...yeah, its kinda funny. Some people will be offended when they are told to eat all their vegetables or not put their elbows on the table, saying "I paid this much to eat here, I will do what I want"....this is the atmosphere here!

Not sure when PTC became such a hot issue and why if it is so offensive, why it is still packed!

What thread are you reading??? ONE thing was said that could have offended someone. That's it. No one said that the restaurant was offensive, although I'd love to see a restaurant be offensive.

 

[rosiep]

You are comparing apples and oranges. It's one thing to see something that reminds you of a lost loved one. That happens, and I would never expect anybody to try to prevent it. But this guy didn't wear something that looked liked Dad's favorite shirt. He deliberately pointed out that there was a man missing.


Then I guess you agree that it was appropriate to do something.

Point taken. However, I do not agree it was "appropriate" to do something...only that if there was a reason I was sensitive to the CM's schtick I would have brought it to his attention, not a manager's.

 

[lola123]

BUT...the OP implies that she told the waiter that her DH was not there though he should have been. The waiter was simply 'building' on the information the OP gave. And I highly doubt that if the OP had a woebegone somber expression that suggested a death or a divorce or a tragedy of another sort, and if the children had similarly reacted sadly/negatively to the OP's response to the waiter, the waiter would have continued in that way. My goodness...it is astonishing how an effort on the part of the waiter to remain in character and to interact with the family has been interpreted as an effort on his part to overturn any efforts towards equality that women might have achieved or to maliciously draw attention to the perceived 'single' status of the OP or to really get everyone in the restaurant involved in both these nefarious schemes.

 

[aidtrismommy]

We were there in June and had a scheduled phone call for my children to call their father. (we are divorced) I knew our waitress was going to give me a hard time, but there was nothing I could do about it. I was making the call and she told me to get rid of my walkie talkie. I was mortified, but my mother explained that the kids have to call their father, etc. She didn't really know what to say and just dropped it. I really like the food and have had a great time there in the past and still enjoyed my dinner this time. They can't know every situation and they must feel embarrassed if it backfires, they are people too. Explaining my situation quietly worked just fine and that was the end of it. It would not deter me from going back. (I know it's not the same thing as a death in the family, but the emotions are similar)

 

[badblackpug]

That's what I was just sitting here thinking....a jab at someone not eating their veggies is one thing, getting elbows off the table....etc are all within the line of funny and if you didn't like their comment well you can ignore it and continue eating...etc.

But I think that comments on your family unit should be avoided...there are too many different family structures out there today and I think that the comment the waiter made was very inappropriate.

We have quite a sense of humor in my family so we usually roll with the flow. That being said, we have 3 adopted children (different heritage) and so you can imagine what comments we've gotten (everything from me cheating on DH-yep...thanks for calling me a 'ho, being married before-that doesn't even make sense...they are younger than my birth children LOL, the water being dirty...etc) and we try to brush them off. But still, people need to know where to draw the line....I think comments or remarks about families are off limits unless they are kind compliments that were well thought out LOL

I have 4 adopted children, all of a different race than I. We have had many meals at 50s (it is actually one of our favorite restaurants) No one has ever said anything insulting to us. We were teased because my sister and I over indulged in martinis, but as for pointing out the very obvious difference in our family, it has never happened. Actually, that has never happened in WDW period. WDW seems to be the one place where there is enough variety that every family is accepted. ( my favorite comment is people asking me who combs my daughters' hair.... I am at the point where I tell them she came out of the womb with her hair like that, and I just leave it be)

Anyway, I don't think the waiter meant any harm. I think he was trying to point out the stereotype of the 50's in which mom stayed at home and dad worked and paid all the bills. If I had a personal reason that bothered me I would have pulled the waiter aside and explained it to him. I think people are reading too much into this and looking too hard for a reason to be offended.

If your family has a good sense of humor 50s is a great place to eat and the food is yummy.

 

[prnces1214]

As a single mother, if this were to happen to me, I think my response would be as follows! Well, as our waiter, "you're the man", so I guess you're picking up our tab, how thoughtful!

I love that response!!!

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

I didn't read the whole thread because after reading a few posts I could tell where this was going. I suggest WDW open a shop where they can sell A SENSE OF HUMOR. Some of you seem to be sorely lacking in that area.

 

[Dolce27]

As a single mother, if this were to happen to me, I think my response would be as follows! Well, as our waiter, "you're the man", so I guess you're picking up our tab, how thoughtful!

I would have said something along those lines as well - turn it back on the waiter and have some fun with it. That's what is expected in that place.

 

[maggiew]

A few years ago I took my family (Dh & 2 DDs) to Whispering Canyon Cafe. I thought they would think it was fun! Well, the kid hated it and DH wanted to walk out. My family doesn't even want to visit Wilderness Lodge anymore - and that was probably 5 years ago!!! I so want to stay at WL some day! Who would have known they would have been so sensitive. I'm usually good at picking places I think they will like based on their food preferences and general likes/dislikes. But I was WAY wrong on Whispering Canyon.

So ever since then, I have avoided Prime Time, even though I would like to try the food there someday. This post makes me confident in my decision to stay away.

Maggie

 

[dhcoffey]

OP: Since the waiter asked who was missing - did he already have the information that

1) your DH is still alive
2) you're not divorced and had your DH not been working, he would've been there


Because he asked that question first, I'm suspecting that he knew it wasn't a sensitive subject about your DH before he started in with a 'man' should be the one to pay the bill jokes.


I'm with this poster:





I would have said something along those lines as well - turn it back on the waiter and have some fun with it. That's what is expected in that place.

My first thought was if the reservation was originally for 4 people and her DH couldn't come at the last minute so they had 3 people, he would know someone wasn't there that was expected so he asked. I think if the reservation was for 3 (mom and two kids), they wouldn't be expecting anyone else, so no comments.

Heather

 

[TisBit]

A few years ago I took my family (Dh & 2 DDs) to Whispering Canyon Cafe. I thought they would think it was fun! Well, the kid hated it and DH wanted to walk out. My family doesn't even want to visit Wilderness Lodge anymore - and that was probably 5 years ago!!! I so want to stay at WL some day! Who would have known they would have been so sensitive. I'm usually good at picking places I think they will like based on their food preferences and general likes/dislikes. But I was WAY wrong on Whispering Canyon.

So ever since then, I have avoided Prime Time, even though I would like to try the food there someday. This post makes me confident in my decision to stay away.

Maggie

We had a similar experience with my step father at the Hoop Dee Doo, it was all good until they danced out with the bucket of chicken and when it hit the table a piece came out in his lap. We thought it was hilarious, him, not so much

 

[nytimez]

Is this thread for real? Seriously? If you don't like this kind of thing, don't go to 50s Prime Time. This is what they do there.

This is like complaining about getting wet on Splash Mountain.

 

[daisyx3]

We eat at 50s PTC quite a bit. The last 3 times we have had the same waiter, Lookili. We got him by accident the first time and requested him the last 2 times. He is awesome.
I think some people on these boards could take anything the wrong way. That's too bad and another symptom of the PC mentality that chokes the humor out of everything.
Daisyx3

 

[Nancyg56]

Excuse me, I take my mom to WDW at least once a year. After a very long illness we lost my dad March 10, 2009. I already had a trip planned for May (two months after he died). We almost didn't go, but decided we needed to get away. If some waiter had said something about not having a man in our party, he would have been taken aside and given an earful. My mom was still barely holding it together at that time and cried at the drop of a hat. We were there just to get away from our grief.

I imagine a simple comment at the checkin desk and any unfortunate issues would be avoided. I realize that some would feel that should not be necessary but if you are going to a restaurant where the humor is known to be at the guests expense then it would be prudent to mention that this is a sensitive subject.

Exactly. And the more people continue to complain or be offended by things the more things will go by the wayside at Disney.

I read that WCC really backed off some of the antics because of complaints. Some folks though it was too much, others thought not enough. They cannot win

 

[Disneyadore]

I didn't read the whole thread because after reading a few posts I could tell where this was going. I suggest WDW open a shop where they can sell A SENSE OF HUMOR. Some of you seem to be sorely lacking in that area.

Maybe they coult turn this restaurant into Archie's Place




or All in the Family Restaurant



and let the waiters act like Grumpy Archie. That would be fun and nothing for delicate souls.

 

[DisTeach1]

OMG-Just reading through this thread is another example on how some on the DIS are so FREAKING UPTIGHT!

Let it go...if you don't want people to make jokes, go to a quiet restaurant, if you are offended, don't go back.

But don't ruin it for the rest of the tourists who like the waiters making jokes with them.

OP-If this is all you have to worry about, good for you, it doesn't sound like you or your children were really offended, but that you "could" be if you were in a sensitive position.

Well...YOU WEREN'T. You aren't a single mom or a widow, so let it go!

 

[linzbear]

Good grief, did everyone miss this part?

[QUOTE="Cinder" Ella's Mom;38324925]I took my kids to 50's Prime Time for dinner last week. My DH was working and couldn't join us for dinner. Our waiter came over to our table, which seated 4, and started yelling, "Who is missing here?''[/QUOTE]

Do you honestly think this would have happened at a table with no empty chair?

Anyway, if you don't want the antics of the 50's prime time, you can tell your "waiter" that immediately, and that you only want the food and a normal waiter. There's a pretty good chance that they'll respect your wishes, considering they need the tip.

 

[Karlzmom]

I just don't see the need to rub anybody's face in it (separation or loss) when there are so many other ways to be funny. I don't think the problem is that it was offensive (since it's supposed to be in the 50s, I don't mind joking about the 50s mentality that every woman has to be taken care of by a man), but I do think it was potentially very painful, and that's the problem.

seems like "rubbing [someones] face in it" would require knowledge that the person is experiencing a seperation or loss.

It seems that offense can be taken to just about anything, and contemporary American society is forever on the lookout for anything that *might* cause offense to someone. If we really belileve in the concept of free speech, then there will likely be offenses along the way...you can't completely anticipate everything that any clumsy, boorish or rude person might say. Its almost to a point where a person should be worried to say anything to anyone. IMHO. The funniest part of this thread is that the OP doesn't seem to have been offended, but posted and now people who weren't even there are imagining their own reason they would be justified in being offended....

 

[wtccheermom]

Good grief, did everyone miss this part?



Do you honestly think this would have happened at a table with no empty chair?

Anyway, if you don't want the antics of the 50's prime time, you can tell your "waiter" that immediately, and that you only want the food and a normal waiter. There's a pretty good chance that they'll respect your wishes, considering they need the tip.

I remember when most people had a sense of humor!!!

 

[nytimez]

OMG-Just reading through this thread is another example on how some on the DIS are so FREAKING UPTIGHT!

Amen to that.