A Reason for "Grooming" Standards

[emmagata]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
I What I prefer or do not prefer is irrelevant. Whatever grooming standards Disney chooses to use is THEIR decision, not mine. On a personal note, I honestly could not care less how CMs are "groomed." Long hair, short hair, tattoos, piercings ... those things don't bother me. (Well, maybe the fellow with 200+ piercings in his head alone would attract a second or third look from me! ) I don't always succeed, but I do struggle not to judge someone by the way they dress, groom, tattoo or pierce themselves. That said, I do believe it is Disney's prerogative to set their own standards as they see fit and if a CM doesn't wish to abide by those standards they are free to work for Universal!

Actually, what people prefer is very relevant. They don't get to make the decision directly, but indirectly with thier attendence to the parks. If they (and you) didn't care strongly enough for the way Disney ran things, they would complain and/or not go.

OTH, you are probably an exception, not the standard.

Most people want to see employees of public establishments dressed/groomed in a way that fits the establishment.

IOW, you wouldn't want to see an employee dressed in "end of the day" construction workers clothes at a funeral home that was working the viewing. Even the grave diggers (from what I've seen) have a dress code of sorts.

Would you (if you were someone at Disney with the authority) care how the CMs present themselves?

Or would you say "who am I to judge someones appearance?".

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by emmagata
Actually, what people prefer is very relevant. They don't get to make the decision directly, but indirectly with thier attendence to the parks. If they (and you) didn't care strongly enough for the way Disney ran things, they would complain and/or not go.

And so by my not going to WDW in 2004 sends a "message" to them? LOL! The Southern Baptists tried to organize a huge boycott of Disney over Gay Days and I can see how well Disney is listening to that message.

OTH, you are probably an exception, not the standard.

You are right -- I am one of a kind!

Most people want to see employees of public establishments dressed/groomed in a way that fits the establishment.

IOW, you wouldn't want to see an employee dressed in "end of the day" construction workers clothes at a funeral home that was working the viewing. Even the grave diggers (from what I've seen) have a dress code of sorts.

So? I walk into a store and see a cashier with a nose piercing. I decide I don't like it and walk out. Or I talk to a manager or write a letter. I go back a few weeks later and the individual is still there. Why? Maybe they are an excellent employee that provides outstanding service. Maybe I need to get past my own prejudices about grooming and appearance. It's not like I am creating a long-term relationship with this individual... I am paying them for some goods and services and that's that.

Would you (if you were someone at Disney with the authority) care how the CMs present themselves?

Or would you say "who am I to judge someones appearance?".

It's difficult to answer hypotheticals about situations I've never been in. I suppose if I were in a position of authority I'd be obliged to enforce whatever standards the company chose to implement, regardless of whether or not I agreed with them. Having said that, I would continue to say "who am I to judge someone's appearance?" because I can see a distinction between enforcing a company dress code and making judgements about a person based on their appearance.

 

[ohanafamily]

Eeyore1954, I have to jump in a little bit...

You are right -- I am one of a kind!

I thought that was Tigger®'s Line?

And so by my not going to WDW in 2004 sends a "message" to them? LOL! The Southern Baptists tried to organize a huge boycott of Disney over Gay Days and I can see how well Disney is listening to that message.

They are still fighting that battle as a matter of principal, but I think most of them have realized that there isn't anything that WDW can do about it except try to contain it as best as possible. If WDW were in Texas, there might be a law against it now

So? I walk into a store and see a cashier with a nose piercing. I decide I don't like it and walk out. Or I talk to a manager or write a letter. I go back a few weeks later and the individual is still there. Why? Maybe they are an excellent employee that provides outstanding service. Maybe I need to get past my own prejudices about grooming and appearance. It's not like I am creating a long-term relationship with this individual... I am paying them for some goods and services and that's that.

No, but if you had gone to the same store for several years and there wasn't anybody "Pierced" you can bet that the employee in question would at least get spoken to. Additionally, the dress code at WDW exists. If it wasn't there we could wine about it all we wanted to. If they change it we have a right to complain. Personally, I agree with the management and feel the dress code enhances the immersion into the experience.

DancingBear,

To some degree, aren't people seeking to be "judged" by the way they dress, etc.?

I agree with you on this especially when it comes to piercings in visible places. Belly Button rings I think started as a hidden show of defiance, but now are popular and in style to expose. A tongue ring was originally started as a weight loss thing...Seriously, most of the visible ones are outward displays to get attention (JMHO)

 

[eeyore0062]

To let you know what the relaxation of grooming standards is:
men may have neatly trimmed mustaches, not extending beyond the corners of the mouth---(Walt had a mustache, too).
Men's hair may be worn in tight braids over the ears, and not extending beyond the collar.
Women may wear small hoop earrings, no bigger than a dime in diameter, otherwise the earrings must be studs, no bigger than a quarter. This was all published in the Orlando Sentinal Business Section back in July.
Otherwise, the grooming standards at WDW remain the same.

The reason for these standards is to preserve a family friendly atmosphere that everyone can enjoy... And yes, for safety. When I go to other parks and see wild make up and outrageous hair styles, it makes me very glad that Disney has stuck to its guidelines.

 

[mkcp91]

Originally posted by eeyore0062
The reason for these standards is to preserve a family friendly atmosphere that everyone can enjoy... And yes, for safety. When I go to other parks and see wild make up and outrageous hair styles, it makes me very glad that Disney has stuck to its guidelines.

When I was on the college program in 1991 it was explained to us in "Traditions" class that the grooming standards were in existance because we were cast members in a show; it had more to do with theming. We didn't want to create anachronisms!

I worked in mechandising on Main Street and we were to look like characters from the turn of the century. Since shop owners in that time period didn't have Lee press-on nails or nose-piercings we would have broke theming had we worn those items. Also, we were told that we should blend into the background. If one cast member had a fabulous tattoo showing, guests might focus on that tattoo, remembering that from their trip, rather than being able to really get into the fantasy of being in a perfect little shop in the 1900's.

Of course, one could argue that perhaps different grooming standards would then apply to different themed area, but I'm sure it is easier to have a single policy that all employees follow - even those who don't work "on stage".

 

[Memph1s]

There is a very nice CM that works at RnR that has hair past her knees. Most of the time it is in a braid but sometimes she wears it down and I cringe every time I see her walk down the line checking the restraint system on guest afraid that it will get caught in the limo when it pulls away.

 

[doombuggy]

I used to have hair that was 2 feet long (yes, i am female). While that was before I worked for Disney, I almost always wore it pulled back in some manner or another (ie in a hair clip, french braided, etc). I got it cut a few months before I decided to work for Disney. My hair is still below my shoulders, and I am required to wear it pulled back while working (which I would do anyway). i would assume that this girl on RNR should be doing the same thing. Besides being common sense, it should be in grooming guidlines. Keeping it braided while working would not only prevent tangles, but it would be much safer. JMHO

 

[Sandy Fisher]

Haven't posted for quite some time, mostly just enjoy reading all the post, particularly on this board. However, this one caught my attention because grooming standards and dress conformity has affected DH, myself and youngest son on the job.
When DH began his Trade, it included working in a machine shop at various pieces of equipment. This was in 1959 and the length of a man's hair was rarely a consideration.
They were, however, forbidden from wearing any jewelry, including wedding bands due to the possibility of serious injury. It was accepted and I don't think ever questioned.
When I worked for a local bank -- long before ATMs and drive-throughs became the rule rather than the exception, any female working as a teller, secretary, receiptionist, etc, visible to customers, particularly in the lobby area, had to follow certain clothing restrictions --- NO slacks or even split skirts (cullottes). At one point I worked at the Safe Deposit Vault and had to stoop, lift heavy boxes for customers, climb on a small ladder to retrieve the higher boxes, etc. Eventually I petitioned the President of the Bank and received permission to wear dressy slacks or as part of a suit.
DH works in the Physical Therapy Dept. at the local hospital. At one point his hair was beyond shoulder length. He (and any other male or female employee) was required to keep it pulled neatly back from his face and secured at the back of his neck when dealing with patients. I mean, how would you feel if someone was leaning over you, helping you with therapy and their hair was hanging in your face????
Personally I find the dress codes and personal appearance requirements at Disney make a definite difference in how they are perceived by guests. In addition to the safety issue, seeing someone with neat hair and clothes that fit properly, etc. is far preferable to what can be seen at some carnivals and fairs.
Yeh, I guess I'm old fashioned. I believe in personal expression, but I also believe that there are good reasons for many of the standards that are set.
What that worker was doing was dreadfully dangerous to begin with, but how horrible to know that having his hair properly tied back might have made the difference between living and dying.
Sorry.......didn't mean to make up for lost time by writing a book! Just my 10 cents worth.
Sandy