CM Thank You Card - CM response update on Pg 5

[Lesleyluvsdisney]

There's an old adage that states that while you are completely responsible for what you say or write, you are not at all responsible for how people interpret it. You've been crystal clear about the sincerity of your intentions by employing this method especially now that you've had several opportunities to take the feedback, but there's something you need to consider.

The recipients of your card won't have the same opportunity to have your mindset thoroughly explained that posters have had here. This thread is several days old now, and in the interest of giving you honest feedback I've told several people about this and in fact showed your card and dime gift to my guests at a dinner party we hosted Saturday night. None of those people saw the explanations afterward; they just saw the card exactly like an intended recipient would.

I will be as kind as possible when I tell you that for the rest of the evening that dime became the punchline of every joke. In a group of eight people, everyone agreed that the dime made the two of you appear to be skinflints and in fact the two guests who previously worked in the service industry who have crystal clear memories many years old of infamously bad tippers were the most vocal of all.

The presence of the dime on the card, no matter how well intended by you, is easily misinterpreted by people who make a living depending on tips especially when no other money is involved. The consensus of the dinner party is that the intent of the card is more effective by losing the dime and greatly lowering any chance that your intent is misinterpreted.

I hope this helps in your sincere and genuine quest to make a great impression on those CM's you wish to complement.

Yes, that was my thoughts too.

OP, fully appreciate the meaning behind your gesture though

On occasions whereupon I feel I've had great service from a cast member that I'm under the impression are not allowed to receive monetary gifts, ive gone into the nearest gift shop and bought candy, or chocolates. x

 

[duffy]

Sometimes, it's a kindness to point out someone's flaw or mistake.

I would want to be told that I have spinach in my teeth, so that I can quickly remove it. I would also want to be told if I was trailing toilet paper on my shoe, again, so that it can be fixed quickly. If I spent the entire day with spinach in my teeth, and then realized to my horror that I spoke face-to-face to many people and NOT ONE pulled me aside and quietly warned me, would be humiliating.

But, on the flip side, if it's something I can't fix quickly and easily, like an ink stain on my white blouse, I'd rather you didn't remind me. There's probably nothing I can do right now, so why embarrass me? Now you've created an awkward moment.

I view the original idea of the card with a dime, as spinach on the teeth. It would be a kindness to point out the ill-advisedness of the gesture, before it's too late.

If the original poster had come to the forums to show us what he'd already done, I would have said nothing. It would have been too late, so, why make him feel bad over something in the past? But, now he's got lots of time to come up with something better.

 

[Alesia]

Here is a "tip" for all the negative posters...try a little kindness, it goes a long way. Money doesn't always talk.

I don't think that's fair. The "negative" posters are just offering their perspectives. The OP asked for feedback, not just compliments. As someone who works in the service industry, I think my perspective is not only valid, but completely different than the perspective of the OP, who (presumably) doesn't work in the service industry.

I totally get what the OP is trying to do, but I can also see the downside of it. And it isn't about money. Telling someone "Thank you" is free. So is letting their supervisor know that they did a good job. And those are both things that people in the service industry really do appreciate.

I think that pre-printed cards like this are more about making the giver feel good. In all honesty, receiving one is like getting a form letter. It actually makes the receiver feel worse than if they hadn't gotten one at all because it just seems so insincere. I'm not saying this to be unkind, I'm saying it because it's true.

 

[Miss Peach]

Here is a "tip" for all the negative posters...try a little kindness, it goes a long way. Money doesn't always talk.

I don't see how you find responding with discussion and opinions, on a discussion board, when asked for opinions to be negative.

For the most part, I think people have been trying to, gently and kindly, point out how misguided and self focused this card would be.

If one truly wants to thank a CM, filling out a comment card at City Hall is the best way to do it.

If, however, you want it to really be about YOU. For the CM to remember YOU. For the CM to thank YOU, then I suppose a (grammatically correct) card about YOU is the way to go.

 

[PalVal]

I saw someone who was proud and happy to share her project. Sometimes its not what you say, it's how you say it. Enough said...

 

[Alesia]

I saw someone who was proud and happy to share her project. Sometimes its not what you say, it's how you say it. Enough said...

Why are you trying to stir up trouble where there isn't any? The original poster (who is a man, btw) understands the intent of the "negative" posts and wasn't offended by them.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

My two (or ten) cents...

I'd scrap the 'Dime Card' idea - as you can see from the responses in this thread, it is easy to misinterpret your gesture. Additionally, what do you expect the CM to do with the card once you have given it to them - take it home and frame it, or immediately toss it in the trash (rather than carry it around for the rest of their shift).

As an alternative, I would suggest that if a CM has really impressed you, it would mean more to them if you took the time to thank them for their exceptional service and then pulled out a little notebook and asked them for the correct spelling of their name, as you want to note their service on a comment card at City Hall.

You'll both feel good, especially the CM, knowing that their superiors will be made aware of the good work that they have done, via the comment card.

 

[PalVal]

Sorry you were offended, I was not trying to stir up trouble, just trying to spread a little kindness. A thank you is a thank you, no matter how it is presented in my eyes.

 

[duffy]

My two (or ten) cents...

I'd scrap the 'Dime Card' idea - as you can see from the responses in this thread, it is easy to misinterpret your gesture. Additionally, what do you expect the CM to do with the card once you have given it to them - take it home and frame it, or immediately toss it in the trash (rather than carry it around for the rest of their shift).

As an alternative, I would suggest that if a CM has really impressed you, it would mean more to them if you took the time to thank them for their exceptional service and then pulled out a little notebook and asked them for the correct spelling of their name, as you want to note their service on a comment card at City Hall.

You'll both feel good, especially the CM, knowing that their superiors will be made aware of the good work that they have done, via the comment card.

I like this!!

 

[peabody58]

I will be as kind as possible when I tell you that for the rest of the evening that dime became the punchline of every joke.

OMG!! Best feedback / response to date!! I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at your dinner party. Where I may have missed the mark with my pre-card attempt, I have succeeded as a Party Joke!! Heck, I'm even thinking up some 'dime' jokes.

Thank you for the constructive perspective and honest common cents response. Pun intended.

Time to get to work on Rev. 1.

 

[croe321]

I LOVE this idea. My DH and I always have such a wonderful time at Disneyworld and you are 100% right, the CMs are often the reason for it.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Dear Peabody58 - I'm happy to see that you have a good sense of humor about the situation.

At the end of the day, I think everyone agrees that it's an extremely nice gesture to acknowledge CM service that goes above and beyond - it's just the proposed execution that some of us are questioning.

"Hey Martha. I did such an awesome job at work today that these nice folks gave me a picture of themselves... and a dime!"

 

[croe321]

Wow I responded initially before reading all of the posts. I can't imagine for a second that he planned on giving these cards in lue of a tip at a restaurant. I think he planned on someone you wouldn't normally tip...ie; a CM in passing, greeters at the turnstiles, cashiers, etc. I used to work as a cashier and I have to say I would've found this to be a lovely gesture....my initial thought would've been how sweet it is to see a couple having so much fun on their anniversary. As a cashier I never wouldve expected a $20 tip from someone for doing my job....don't plan on throwing $20 tips Their way myself :/ sorry guys.

 

[SamSam]

OMG!! Best feedback / response to date!! I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at your dinner party. Where I may have missed the mark with my pre-card attempt, I have succeeded as a Party Joke!! Heck, I'm even thinking up some 'dime' jokes.

Thank you for the constructive perspective and honest common cents response. Pun intended.

Time to get to work on Rev. 1.

Just have to say I love your sense of humor and your ability to take critcism. Personally, I loved your cards but I do see what others are saying....just not how I see it.

 

[peabody58]

Major changes based on the objective and constructive feedback, including the Grammar Police and Spellchecker, and an extensive federally funded randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, double-dummy, parallel-group study! No kittens were injured in the study.

- Ditched the 'You're a ten' dime theme. Switched to candy treat (2 types) as part of including the CM into our anniversary celebration. Yes to a large extent it is about us. It's our party and we're going to party like it's 1999, and include via positive feedback those CM's who help that party rock!
- Modified the original message to creatively align with Disney's 'Let the Memories Begin' theme.
- Ditched our last name.
- Added the reinforcing message that positive feedback will be submitted. Helps to clearly separate any misconception that this is a 'tip'.
- Created separate 'Feedback Info' sheets. These will help us track the feedback, as well as link any CM photos we take along the way.

Thank you again for all the input. We are much happier with this end result. Only 30 days to go!!

Memo to self: Get more Werther's as I've eaten most of them already!

 

[dianeschlicht]

On a side note, my DW claims she was never officially tasked with proof-reading the cards, and that I should bit the bullet and redo them.

And I agree with your dear wife. REDO THE CARDS! I think they are a nice idea, and while I "get it" about the dime, I do think it could be misconstrued as some here have indicated they would have a negative response. Maybe keep the phrase, but lose the dime and put a big number 10 in its place.

 

[dianeschlicht]

OOPS! I posted before I saw the revisions!

 

[SamSam]

Major changes based on the objective and constructive feedback, including the Grammar Police and Spellchecker, and an extensive federally funded randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, double-dummy, parallel-group study! No kittens were injured in the study.

- Ditched the 'You're a ten' dime theme. Switched to candy treat (2 types) as part of including the CM into our anniversary celebration. Yes to a large extent it is about us. It's our party and we're going to party like it's 1999, and include via positive feedback those CM's who help that party rock!
- Modified the original message to creatively align with Disney's 'Let the Memories Begin' theme.
- Ditched our last name.
- Added the reinforcing message that positive feedback will be submitted. Helps to clearly separate any misconception that this is a 'tip'.
- Created separate 'Feedback Info' sheets. These will help us track the feedback, as well as link any CM photos we take along the way.

Thank you again for all the input. We are much happier with this end result. Only 30 days to go!!

Memo to self: Get more Werther's as I've eaten most of them already!

Love your new cards and really like the empahasis on cm feedback.

I hope you have a fabulous, magical trip!

 

[luvthemouse71]

I think the OP's heart is in the right place. But, I think getting the CM's name and writing something nice about them to management would be more appreciated.

 

[SamSam]

I think the OP's heart is in the right place. But, I think getting the CM's name and writing something nice about them to management would be more appreciated.

I believe positive feedback to management is something that he is highlighting in his new card.

- Added the reinforcing message that positive feedback will be submitted. Helps to clearly separate any misconception that this is a 'tip'.