Am I being rude or antisocial?

[stemikger]

Hey everyone,

I'm not sure if it is me and my little antisocial family, but I was wondering if anyone here feels the same way. By the way, I wasn't sure where to post this so forgive me if it is in the wrong place.

Well here goes. On my last trip to WDW we were waiting on line at the Norway ride. For some reason I love this ride and I love looking at the great mural of the vikings and just taking it all in and absorbing the magic. Well here is where my antisocial behavior kicks in.

This family in front of has had the mother who was in her 60s her husband, her son and his wife and kids. She decided to strike up a conversation with me and my wife and was telling us everything about everything. Her personal life how long she was staying, etc. She also wanted to know everything about us and where we were staying, etc.

She was a very nice lady, but a little bit too much in your face. Me and my wife are not the real talking types and we were just being polite and nodding and basically just listening. I kind of felt uncomfortable and reallly just wanted to wait on line and take in the mural and just hang with my wife and daughter. The funny thing was we kept on running into this lady everywhere we went. I kind of felt funny because I think she might of thought we were snobs because we were not as friendly as she was to us. Also, her son was just like her and was talking to me like he knew me for years. I think I found out more about this family on the Norway ride then I know about my own family. LOL.

My question is am I being antisocial or are there other people out there who are not crazy about small talk on the lines.

I guess we kind of our antisocial? What do you guys think.

 

[MinnieM21]

You're not being antisocial or rude. Everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to talking with people they don't know. I'm sure she didn't think you were a snob. My mother talks to anyone and when people aren't talkative with her, she doesn't take it personally. She knows that not everyone is into small talk. Don't worry about it.

 

[Piglet4Ever]

I don't think there is anything wrong with the way you feel. I am like you I like to take in everything around me and absorb as much of the experience as possible. I am a friendly person, will say hi and give a smile to the other people in line, but I don't want to get into indepth conversations with any of them and I certainly am not telling any of my personal business to people I've never met before. My DH and I have heard some very interesting convo's in the lines WDW and we laugh about it all the time wondering if these people realize what they are saying!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Antisocial? No - I would feel the same way.

 

[billybaruch1]

I think you exercised admirable restraint in not just telling her to "step off." If you can't get a good story to write about on DISboards, then what's up with that? A slight suggestion if I may: make a game of it next time. Make up a story to tell her about you and your family. You're staying at the GF as guests of The Donald (and I don't mean Duck) or you're on a secret mission to survey park guests such as her. Maybe you want to know what brand of bathroom tissue she buys. Or you're a telemarketer and you'd like her home phone number so you can stay in touch. There are plenty of ways to get her to go away without hurting her feelings. Make it up as you go along. Have fun.

 

[remmy_7]

No, I don't think you were being rude either. I feel the same way the above posters feel. I am very shy by nature, and while I love people, I feel extremely uncomfortable having indepth conversations with them.

 

[Mariposa]

No, you're not antisocial or weird. I can be really talkative with people I know, but have pretty severe social anxieties when dealing with strangers (especially when I feel like I can't just walk off- like in a line at WDW).. I just smile, nod, and try to talk as little as possible.. They usually take the hint.

Just to add, I seem to be a magnet for the TMI (too much information) people. It's like they can sense that I'm too nice to tell them to go away, but shy enough that I won't interrupt. So, I know what you mean about your encounter.

 

[ndelaware]

I don't think you were rude. But hey, you're in Disney World, and you will never see this person again, be someone you usually aren't. Chat with her, it will make the line move faster for you and it is better than being next to the group of (pick one or more) fighters, complainers, screamers, pushers, leaners, cutters, whiners, and other just plain rude folks. Spread some magic.

 

[Keebles]

I was witness to a very similar situation on the Backlot Tour at MGM...this poor couple was being bombarded by personal questions from this woman and her husband all the way through the queue. They kept trying to politely ease away from her, even managing to get in a different row once we made it to the tram, but to no avail! The woman just talked loud enough for them to hear her (through the entire tour mind you, I don't think I heard a word that the CM with the microphone was saying!). Once the tour was over that poor couple disappeared faster than you could blink! It didn't just make that poor couple uncomfortable, I was more than a little uncomfortable just listening (Trust me, I wasn't being nosy, I would have like to have tuned her out, it just wasn't possible, I had no choice but to listen!). I was so afraid that she was gonna focus on us once she realized that the couple was listening to her!

To answer your question, no, in no way, shape or form were you being rude (except to the person she turned her attention to after you...ha! JK! )

 

[Sleepy]

My father is the worlds worst when it comes to bugging people...yes, bugging them. He will talk to anyone. It;s extremely embarrassing. We keep telling him people don't want to talk to him because they never respond with more than a yes or a nod. He just doesn't get it. When we tell him to shut up and leave people alone, he gets angry. When we fly, we have to put him by the window or between our party to keep him from bothering a stranger sitting next to him.

 

[java]

We actually have met some very nice people this way- "the chatters" For some reason the more children you have the more people want to talk to you-and if there is a baby...forget it. But I generally small talk back and enjoy the conversation. I have to say I do enjoy when someone is generally excited to be there and want to share their excitement. That being said though I am not the one to start a conversation but I can chat up the chatters with the best of them. We actually met a family on our trip and after chatting ended up planning to meet up with them later at a parade and had a really great time. (I guess that is a little wierd? but we got swept up in the Disney magic)

 

[RussH]

No dont worry some people just talk to anybody and everybody. My father was one of those and when I took him to the grocery sometimes I would warn people behind us in checkout lines they should prepare for a wait. Yak yak yak to the checkout until his story was finished regardless of the Ice Cream starting to melt in the bags.

I take a book with me at WDW to read in lines and have learned this trick over 20 years of air travel for work and many visits to WDW. Never never never respond to the first statement. Act like you dont understand what they are saying. A blank no emotion glance works just fine. If you respond to whatever is said you are sunk and likely as not they will not stop. The execption is a question about WDW directions, attractions and eating then I will certainly try to help.

 

[jimmytammy]

I think you handled it very well. But I have a different take on it from others here.

At times I can be much like the folks you spoke of. But it comes natural for me. And WDW brings out the best and worst in people as you have seen standing in those lines. I dont have a tendency to speak to people who dont have a friendly face or a pleasant smile. But again, that happens to me often as well. People tell me I always have a smile on my face and I hope I never lose that. People seem to cling to that.

But my parents taught me as Gods word says, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. So I remind myself to be nice. You never know what is going on with that person and why they picked you to speak to. My brother who has been fighting mental illness for years is prone to speak to any and everyone. And a lot of it has to do with his medication. So I just smile and let it go. And yes, it can be embarassing, but if I said anything to him about it, it would set him off. Most people view him as being a very nice guy who can be a little forward sometimes.

Some people are shy and handle that by being quite. And thats OK. Some people are shy but nervous and handle it by talking to any who will listen. And I think thats OK too. If it werent for both types, how boring the world would be. Along with all other types who are in the mix as well.

Again, it sounds like you handled it admirably. You might have made that ladys day by bending an ear. You just never know

 

[keriannhoward]

I'm generally pretty shy when you first meet me so to me you're not rude or antisocial at all. I would be uncomfortable with anything more than the most superficial of talk, anything past what resort I'm staying in and I'm pretty much not going to tell you anything.

However, for some reason I find myself completely unable to shut up when I'm around kids in line. If I hear them talking to their parents about the ride or something else about the park, I just can't help but talk to them. If they're scared I reassure them, if they're excited I get excited with them. It's just some weird thing about me. It's not like I don't have 4 kids of my own to talk to

 

[Danaans]

That is excately how my husband is...he considers someone talking to him to be a "Violation" of his personal space. What usually drives him real crazy is the fact that I usually answer the chatty people....

 

[Soprano]

Being a Brit, a Londoner no less, I was a bit reserved in my speech. My first trip to the US was an extreme culture shock for me. People saying hello when I went into a shop, asking me how my day was going, good-buy. Good grief! What's with these people?

A few times in lines, people would talk to me. I recall one of my first ones when I was 24 with my brother and a few guys my age started talking and I didn't really reply and may have appeared to be uninterested, but I wasn't. Once in McDonalds a very hot (good looking) woman struck up a conversation with me as my wife was getting napkins. She talked for ages about England and her children. Another time I was in a Universal store and this cute girl started telling me Jason from Friday 13th freaked her out. Just started talking to me! Wife was outside, phew!

I came back to London greeted by airport staff who wouldn't look at you, taxi drivers mumbling and grumbling. Silence from those who served me at the till in a shop. How different.

Every trip to the US changes me a little. I was once quite shy and wouldn't start a conversation with a stranger, but as said, these holidays change me. Now I am happy to strike up conversations with people, or engage at length with those who start with me. I still think I have quite a way to go before I become like the woman in the OPs post, but who knows what I'll be like at 65!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I like talking to people. I'm very outgoing and would love to talk to someone in line, especially if its a long time to wait.

Some people are shy, some are just not outgoing or don't want to be bothered. Truthfully, I miss the old days of people being friendly and not keeping to themselves as much.

JMOP!

 

[java]

Being a Brit, a Londoner no less, I was a bit reserved in my speech. My first trip to the US was an extreme culture shock for me. People saying hello when I went into a shop, asking me how my day was going, good-buy. Good grief! What's with these people?

A few times in lines, people would talk to me. I recall one of my first ones when I was 24 with my brother and a few guys my age started talking and I didn't really reply and may have appeared to be uninterested, but I wasn't. Once in McDonalds a very hot (good looking) woman struck up a conversation with me as my wife was getting napkins. She talked for ages about England and her children. Another time I was in a Universal store and this cute girl started telling me Jason from Friday 13th freaked her out. Just started talking to me! Wife was outside, phew!

I came back to London greeted by airport staff who wouldn't look at you, taxi drivers mumbling and grumbling. Silence from those who served me at the till in a shop. How different.

Every trip to the US changes me a little. I was once quite shy and wouldn't start a conversation with a stranger, but as said, these holidays change me. Now I am happy to strike up conversations with people, or engage at length with those who start with me. I still think I have quite a way to go before I become like the woman in the OPs post, but who knows what I'll be like at 65!

Funny thing is the family we met up with was from London. And for the past 3 trips we take we always meet some family from London with kids the same age as ours- the kids start talking and the next thing you know they are inviting us to visit in London!!!! So I think the Londoners we have met at Disney are very outgoing. LOL

 

[nluvwithmickey]

I am exactly like the poster when I am not on vacation!!!! As soon as I get to WDW, I can't help but smile all the time. People are just in a whole different frame of mind when they are on vacation. And that includes me.


These conversations make for lasting memories. I just love it when a family starts chatting while we wait in line, I love talking with CM's. I can never get enough of it. However, I sense when someone is not into the conversation and I back off quickly. I don't insist. After all, I am like that when I'm home so I know what it's like.

But when it comes to WDW, I am absolutely fascinated with the people and if they want to chat, I'm all for it.

Now would I like it if the family would stick around and follow us and want to do stuff with us? I don't think so!

 

[indigoxtreme]

I really think it is what part of the world, country you are from as well. I am alot like the people you speak of but I do not try to pry into ones personal life until I have known them for a bit. If I meet someone in line I usually strike up a conversation. I am an overly friendly person and I have met so many people all with their different quirks. I am even one of those people who actually talk to you in the elevator instead of ignoring you. However, I have learned body lanuage and know when someone does not want to be "bothered". At the World I am just like a little child and sometimes cannot hold back my excitement. I am sure they meant no harm. We are all different.