An off the rails joke at Jungle Skipper today

[EveDallas]

Why? Because you don't think so? The manager agreed it was inappropriate.

More likely the manager said that to shut up the complainer and rolled his eyes when she left.

 

[EveDallas]

I missed the part where the OP stated this joke wasn't even told at their table. REALLY not sure now why they felt the need to report a joke that wasn't even directed at them?!?! The world needs LESS Hall Pass Monitors....let people alone, and if something offends you, then just move on. Like someone said earlier, this is the type of situation where Disney will cut Skipper Canteen's storyline/theme-----and then everyone will complain that Disney is 'getting rid of all the unique experiences'.

Exactly. And some people on this thread must be a real joy to be around.

 

[NeuroCindy]

At the end of the day, we're never going to agree on this, and that's fine. Some of us discourage these jokes because we're trying to break the stigma surrounding mental illness so people do get help before they hurt themselves or others, and don't live suffering. It's not that we don't want people to have fun or want to be wet blankets.

At one time people thought it was okay to tell racist jokes with the n-word, jokes about mentally handicapped people, and jokes about the LGBT community. People stood up for those communities, and it made a difference. Those jokes aren't nearly as socially acceptable anymore.

I am standing with the mental health community, and if that makes me the "PC police" so be it. If it stops even one person from hurting themselves or feeling worse about what they're dealing with, it's worth it.

 

[nikjd68]

It's a joke. He isn't even characterizing schizophrenia correctly--it has nothing to do with multiple personalities. I think people need to get over it.

 

[L&Lfan]

Funny you mention that. Guess what has been toned down A LOT due to complaints from guests? Antics at both the establishments you mention. While I agree, this one instance won't be the cause of a change but they do all add up, one little straw at a time.

THIS^^^^The antics at '50s Prime Time Cafe and Whispering Canyon Cafe have been definitely "toned down" due directly to "upset/offended"guest complaints.

 

[Dayman99]

Is this CNN?? Listen, for all anybody knows, the CM was an 18yr old immature server that saw the movie "What About Bob" and thought is was funny and maybe thought his guests would like it. This is now 7 pages of crap that everybody is going nuts on everybody. This is a happy, get excited Disney blog!! We have all been in that immature place before, said things we regret without knowing the harm it does to others. Let's just hope the CM learned his/her lesson and moves on. I personally liked that movie and the scene where it was said was funny and not directed ant anybody but the his own character. LIGHTEN UP EVERYBODY AND HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY! Think of your countdowns, refurbs, and ressies!!

 

[L&Lfan]

O/T but what does this mean? I've never heard this sentence in my life.

This^^^ Say what?

 

[AngiTN]

At the end of the day, we're never going to agree on this, and that's fine. Some of us discourage these jokes because we're trying to break the stigma surrounding mental illness so people do get help before they hurt themselves or others, and don't live suffering. It's not that we don't want people to have fun or want to be wet blankets.

At one time people thought it was okay to tell racist jokes with the n-word, jokes about mentally handicapped people, and jokes about the LGBT community. People stood up for those communities, and it made a difference. Those jokes aren't nearly as socially acceptable anymore.

I am standing with the mental health community, and if that makes me the "PC police" so be it. If it stops even one person from hurting themselves or feeling worse about what they're dealing with, it's worth it.

I agree with you 100% about jokes and what is no longer socially acceptable. Had this server made the joke about anyone but themselves, I'd be in the "that's a bad idea" group. But this one case, the way it was said, just not something I feel like was wrong.

 

[jahber]

I feel like many of the people claiming that there's no reason to be offended because they have mental illness in the family do not understand the severity of schizophrenia (I am sure this does not apply to all, but some). Schizophrenia is not anxiety, it is not depression, it is not ADHD. Schizophrenia is more often than not a COMPLETELY debilitating disease resulting in the total loss of a person - first their actual identity as a functional member of society and then often dying alone, sometimes alone on the streets, to suicide, to drug addiction. The paranoia is all encompassing and leads to a life of cycling between psych wards and prisons. They are often severely dangerous to people around them, causing even family members who love and want to help them to have to ditch them to protect themselves.
There may be avenues of dark humor to joke about schizophrenia, but Disney, between cast members and patrons, is not one of them. Do you also think it would be "too sensitive" to be offended by a joke about cancer? About suicide? How about obesity? Can CMs make jokes about obesity? Racist jokes? Making fun of gay people? Mentally handicapped?
Those things seem more obvious that a cast member shouldn't joke about them. What makes schizophrenia any different? Probably because you don't understand the condition, don't know anyone with the condition, and don't have to deal with the agonizing and ongoing loss of a loved one to that condition. Most people's day to day interaction with schizophrenia extends no further than crossing the street to walk avoid walking past the loud, exceptionally dirty, "scary" homeless person. That's the face of schizophrenia, and there is someone who loves or loved that person once. It isn't funny.

Besides that, just to reiterate what others have said, the statement is inaccurate about what schizophrenia even is. Multiple personality disorder is not schizophrenia.

Everyone is different, obviously. But my mom was bi-polar and schizophrenic. The ONLY way we survived 30+ years of her absolute craziness (she refused all medications, despite being Baker Acted once) was humor. There are only so many times you can be lectured about aliens or be disinherited because you didn't tell her happy birthday or get yelled at because you uncovered a mirror before you either die of sadness that your mom hates you or laugh about it.

You are right that it is a terrible, debilitating disease. It's scary and traumatic and the feeling of helplessness as your life disintegrates must be unbearable. But we laugh about it because the other alternative as survivors of a mother with these disorders is to let the wave overcome us too. There are genetic ties to depression and schizophrenia, so when we laugh at them, we laugh at our own vulnerability. Other people may not understand that and other people may have bipolar/schizophrenic family members who cope well on medication. That's great. I would give anything to have had a "normal" childhood. I don't expect anyone to find any joke funny, but please don't assume that anyone who makes a joke as silly as the one in question is trying to be offensive. And don't assume we will all find it offensive. If anything, it's funny because, as others said, it completely confused two mental health issues. Irony can be tricky.

 

[Hikergirl]

Op you never mentioned how the people at the table reacted. I will assume if they were offended and felt "accosted" by that joke it would have been obvious, and you would have mentioned it here to further your opinion about the joke itself.
Maybe they thought it was hilarious and felt no need to report their server for the service they received. Maybe you should have let them decide whether or not it was worth speaking to the manager. What's next reporting passer-bys for saying something you don't like?

 

[Mflowers92]

Everyone is different, obviously. But my mom was bi-polar and schizophrenic. The ONLY way we survived 30+ years of her absolute craziness (she refused all medications, despite being Baker Acted once) was humor. There are only so many times you can be lectured about aliens or be disinherited because you didn't tell her happy birthday or get yelled at because you uncovered a mirror before you either die of sadness that your mom hates you or laugh about it.

You are right that it is a terrible, debilitating disease. It's scary and traumatic and the feeling of helplessness as your life disintegrates must be unbearable. But we laugh about it because the other alternative as survivors of a mother with these disorders is to let the wave overcome us too. There are genetic ties to depression and schizophrenia, so when we laugh at them, we laugh at our own vulnerability. Other people may not understand that and other people may have bipolar/schizophrenic family members who cope well on medication. That's great. I would give anything to have had a "normal" childhood. I don't expect anyone to find any joke funny, but please don't assume that anyone who makes a joke as silly as the one in question is trying to be offensive. And don't assume we will all find it offensive. If anything, it's funny because, as others said, it completely confused two mental health issues. Irony can be tricky.

That is true, and I think it's okay for people who are the ones intimately involved to laugh and joke about it as a coping mechanism. I think it's more that maybe the CM shouldn't be joking to someone without knowing the context of the family. Kind of like, "we can all laugh when mom is spouting delusions about aliens, but we come to her defense when other people are laughing at her."
Granted, I'm probably in a more impassioned state at the time because we recently found out my cousin is schizophrenic. To me, it's about as funny as cancer. Can I see how a group of cancer patients get together and joke about all the antics of their disease and treatment to make light of things? Yes, and I think that is perfectly socially appropriate. Do I think a CM can make a joke about cancer to a family he doesn't even know? No.

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

Op you never mentioned how the people at the table reacted. I will assume if they were offended and felt "accosted" by that joke it would have been obvious, and you would have mentioned it here to further your opinion about the joke itself.
Maybe they thought it was hilarious and felt no need to report their server for the service they received. Maybe you should have let them decide whether or not it was worth speaking to the manager. What's next reporting passer-bys for saying something you don't like?

Not only that, but OP mentioned that their family was worried about making it in time for their next FP. I hope OP's family didn't miss out on something they had been looking forward to because OP had to put on their white armor & get up on their horse over something that didn't concern them & was dismissed as soon as they left.

 

[wilkeliza]

Well guess I was wrong on the joke one. Spoke with a few people who do struggle with mental illness (not that I don't but just wanted a different opinion) and they all agreed that since it wasn't directed at the guest but instead at the server themselves it is okay. I think that is why it is important to talk to the community that you are close with to come up with an idea. It can push your boundaries. Many people who said they thought it was just a bad joke but okay to tell were victims of bullying as kids and they didn't find it to be bullying either so who knows.

Again in either case I don't think the CM meant to offend or harm. It is hard to know in a theme park setting when you speak to the offender directly and when you go to management. If it was somewhere I frequented often and knew the server or it was a friend I would be open to speaking to them directly but a random stranger at a restaurant is different.

I still think the Snow White interaction if not completely wrong was definitely awkward.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Please read what the OP said a few times. She wasn't "reporting" the server to get them in trouble. She was bringing an issue up to the manager so the manager could talk to the server and advise this line was NOT appropriate. My brother is mentally ********, if I was at any restaurant and heard ANY server said "hey look at that retard over there", I would be offended. Like I said already, there are a lot of things to laugh at, making fun of someone with a disability is not one of them.

I know exactly what the OP said. I could be more blunt about my thoughts, but I won't. To put it as tactfully as I can, if you were dining with your brother & your server made a joke about the mentally ******** (your words), then you would be justified in saying something to the manager.

To me, the fact that this joke doesn't even make sense should make it less offensive not more.

ETA: Most anyone would find the extreme example you gave offensive, including me. My original response to this post is to reply to your statement in relation to the OP.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I feel like many of the people claiming that there's no reason to be offended because they have mental illness in the family do not understand the severity of schizophrenia (I am sure this does not apply to all, but some). Schizophrenia is not anxiety, it is not depression, it is not ADHD. Schizophrenia is more often than not a COMPLETELY debilitating disease resulting in the total loss of a person - first their actual identity as a functional member of society and then often dying alone, sometimes alone on the streets, to suicide, to drug addiction. The paranoia is all encompassing and leads to a life of cycling between psych wards and prisons. They are often severely dangerous to people around them, causing even family members who love and want to help them to have to ditch them to protect themselves.
There may be avenues of dark humor to joke about schizophrenia, but Disney, between cast members and patrons, is not one of them. Do you also think it would be "too sensitive" to be offended by a joke about cancer? About suicide? How about obesity? Can CMs make jokes about obesity? Racist jokes? Making fun of gay people? Mentally handicapped?
Those things seem more obvious that a cast member shouldn't joke about them. What makes schizophrenia any different? Probably because you don't understand the condition, don't know anyone with the condition, and don't have to deal with the agonizing and ongoing loss of a loved one to that condition. Most people's day to day interaction with schizophrenia extends no further than crossing the street to walk avoid walking past the loud, exceptionally dirty, "scary" homeless person. That's the face of schizophrenia, and there is someone who loves or loved that person once. It isn't funny.

Besides that, just to reiterate what others have said, the statement is inaccurate about what schizophrenia even is. Multiple personality disorder is not schizophrenia.

Actually, our neighbor has schizophrenia. It's heartbreaking. He went from attending college with a bright future to no future at all in the blink of an eye. It has been a constant struggle for them to find the right medicine. He'll knock on our door to tell us something his parents are doing to him & asking us to call the cops. We try to calm him the best we can. We know his parents aren't doing the things he perceives they are. They're really good parents. I also believe his parents understand schizophrenia & would have possibly thought the joke was lame. It doesn't even make sense. I seriously doubt they would have made a big deal about this, even if it were their server.

 

[Mflowers92]

I don't think it's the most offensive thing I've ever heard. Would I have reported it? I'm not sure. I just don't think the joke is even funny, so why run the risk of offending someone? There is a time and place for (some) off color jokes. I don't think it's appropriate for Disney CMs in this context. It might be funnier elsewhere, just not here. Just my two cents.

 

[TavieP]

I hope you realize Lisa was being sarcastic. You need to re-read her post.

I hope you continued to read the thread where I acknowledged that and apologized to Lisa...

 

[NeuroCindy]

Well guess I was wrong on the joke one. Spoke with a few people who do struggle with mental illness (not that I don't but just wanted a different opinion) and they all agreed that since it wasn't directed at the guest but instead at the server themselves it is okay. I think that is why it is important to talk to the community that you are close with to come up with an idea. It can push your boundaries. Many people who said they thought it was just a bad joke but okay to tell were victims of bullying as kids and they didn't find it to be bullying either so who knows.

Again in either case I don't think the CM meant to offend or harm. It is hard to know in a theme park setting when you speak to the offender directly and when you go to management. If it was somewhere I frequented often and knew the server or it was a friend I would be open to speaking to them directly but a random stranger at a restaurant is different.

I still think the Snow White interaction if not completely wrong was definitely awkward.

FWIW, I've struggled with mental illness (3 different ones actually) and my family has everything from schizophrenia to bipolar disorder to addiction to eating disorders in it. I do not think you were wrong, and I ran this by my mom and sister, and they do not think you were wrong either.

 

[karasmom]

1) Alas, political correctness runs amok, again.
2) There are VERY FEW jokes that do not make fun of people or situations.
3) Life is funny.
4) Doesn't anyone even read the Funnies in the newspaper any more?
5) Did you hear the one about . . . ?

You, sir are the reason that one of these days I will move from our usual spot at the Contemporary to Fort Wilderness for one of our stays!!! You seem to be an amazing castmember with my point of view - always!!!

 

[erinch]

Op here. Wow.

I think the energy generated by this discussion is a good reason why a family restaurant at Disney would want to put this particular bit of patter off limits. They want to sell meals, not controversy.

Once again, I personally would have found it bizarre to chase after a server not my own to raise awareness of how that rhyme might feel to a family struggling with schizophrenia.

The manager was female. Standing next to the sub manager in charge of seating tables. I focused on the "joke" and suggested it be removed from the line up. She said she would speak with him. Which is the job of the manager, not a patron. I also suspect it probably would help his career rather than getting in big trouble for something more egregious. Speaking to someone is not the same as firing them.

I did talk with my colleague, who just married her love, who struggles with schizophrenia, with nobility. She is thrilled that on their honeymoon, he was able to navigate restaurants. She thought being greeted that way pout do the blue would have been very difficult for him, and was glad I mentioned it.

And we made our FP in very good time.

I am now leaving the wonderful world of Disney, where we have had a wonderful 2 weeks, and won't be further checking this thread. Good cheer to all on all sides of this!