CMs chewing gum

[Karin1984]

If you’re not my employer, it’s not your right to correct me, which you did. “I told him quietly, for future reference, do not chew gum when interacting with guests”.

I hear you, and I understand your opinion. I do.

But I am curious what you would like a patient to do if you did something they didn't like how you assisted them. How would you like to have received this feedback, not the way i did it, I understand that.

 

[Karin1984]

One of the Disney trivia questions is "why don't they sell gum in the parks?" "Because they don't want to clean up gum". But I have never checked in the parks to see if they do sell gum. So I would be surprised if Castmembers are allowed to chew gum on the job. But to be honest, I can't remember the last time I saw anyone, anywhere chewing gum.

I was curious, so I asked a retail CM if I could buy gum in his store.

He said "no, nowhere in Disneyland." Then he pointed to the ceiling (a poetic gesture) and added: "It was the decision of Walt Disney."

 

[Disneylover99]

Except, I wasn't a stranger, I was a guest. Because I am curious, if a patient of yours had issues (let's say it is something small like chewing gum while assisting a patient) with your bedside manners as a nurse, would you like to have heard this from them directly, or via your manager? And if via your manager, would you prefer it to be feedback at you personally, or general feedback for the entire department "patients do not like us to do x".

Having good bedside manner is about being friendly, having empathy, being caring, listening patiently and taking the time to explain things. Not liking the fact that someone is chewing gum while assisting a patient is really a non-issue to me and has nothing to do with their performance as a nurse.

But to answer your question, if I was your gum chewing nurse, I’d appreciate you not approaching me about it. Give general feedback if you feel you must without singling people out.

 

[emmybee]

I suppose it's a sign of slipping standards and training. I would not have said anything myself. A comment on a survey would have sufficed.

 

[2010dvcfan]

Two things stuck out to me immediately

1. it's not what you say it's how you say it almost always
2. employers of have had to loosen the reins to hold onto employees

I don't think personally it would have bothered me at all but if I saw it as what I believed would have been a violation of the rules, I would have found a way to "inquire" not "direct" behavior. something like, "hey noticed several CM's chewing gum now, when did that start? what else have they loosen up on for you guys?" get people talking about themselves let them tell you not assume you know it shouldn't be happening. Whether I agree with it or not, not my decision, so I would end with a non threatening sentiment something like "hope you enjoy working here, I always have a such a good time and a huge part of that is from my interactions with CM's"

Then if I felt it was a warranted issue I could direct it to the correct department with authority to address it, while still keeping a positive interaction with the CM. Chewing gum wouldn't have been warranted anything other than friendly chit chat with CM to see if it was allowed or not IMO.

I've seen a lot of rules softened at establishments in the past years due to the fierce need to maintain staffing levels.

Remember, there is a lot of communication styles out there what one person sees as "bold and over stepping" someone else may view as "direct but with intentions of being helpful"

 

[Karin1984]

I suppose it's a sign of slipping standards and training. I would not have said anything myself. A comment on a survey would have sufficed.

I often work with surveys, and I know how most of the time businesses do not do a thing with feedback given in surveys. That's probably why I would be hesitant to only mention it in a survey.

 

[2010dvcfan]

I was curious, so I asked a retail CM if I could buy gum in his store.

He said "no, nowhere in Disneyland." Then he pointed to the ceiling (a poetic gesture) and added: "It was the decision of Walt Disney."

Although it can not be purchased on property, it is not banned from being brought in for personal use, I've never had security remove it from bag. Once when I ran out I inquired where to purchase a new pack, I was told you can't purchase it here you'll have to go off property.

 

[design_mom]

I would have also been surprised at cast members chewing gum while in front of guests and would be surprised that it was allowed. I'm not sure that it would have "bothered me" unless they were being particularly obnoxious about chewing it and I definitely would not have said anything.

I noticed you mentioned Dutch directness... and I think that could b a component. I know a couple of Dutch people here in the US and the directness does take some getting used to! (There was even a joke about it the Ted Lasso TV show: "Jan Maas is not being rude. He's is being Dutch.")

 

[tvguy]

I don’t care if they are covered in piercings, tattoos, crazy hair, or any other body modifications.

I still flinch when I see tattoos and piercing and I blame my mom. She was an RN and worked the overnight shift in surgery, which in reality meant, unless there was an emergency surgery, she had to help out in the E. R. She would come home from work and fix me breakfast as I got ready for school and tell me about all the cases they had come in. More than one case of infected piercings or tattoos. So from an early age, they did not appeal to me. Also explains why I never was allowed to have a motorcycle or ski. Although I was in High School by then and she had moved to day shift in the O.R. and the orthopedic surgery team. Mondays and Tuesdays in ski reason were "rebuild broken skiers" days.

 

[FastPasser.]

It’s considered “bad show” and is not allowed.

 

[Distinkt]

You comment that you really aren’t a Karen, but you seem to invest a lot of energy in this issue of some cast member chewing gum. I know we all have pet peeves, but I feel your focus on this is extreme! Why not put that energy towards a good cause like fighting poverty, homelessness, substance abuse or domestic violence? Why waste time mulling over this minuscule issue and all its ramifications when there are so many more worthy places to place your efforts? You are a Karen, plain and simple. Just chill.

 

[Karin1984]

You comment that you really aren’t a Karen, but you seem to invest a lot of energy in this issue of some cast member chewing gum. I know we all have pet peeves, but I feel your focus on this is extreme! Why not put that energy towards a good cause like fighting poverty, homelessness, substance abuse or domestic violence? Why waste time mulling over this minuscule issue and all its ramifications when there are so many more worthy places to place your efforts? You are a Karen, plain and simple. Just chill.

I work for a charity, I am fighting a good cause most of the time.

I started this thread because human behaviour, including my own, is interesting. Reading and writing posts in this thread maybe cost me 30-45 minutes of my day. Most I wrote while waiting in line for a ride.
To me a good discussion is not a waste of time, and I would consider this a good discussion topic. If someone responds, you respond back. Even if we don't agree.

Had I expected that so many people thought I was wrong? No.
Do I see their point? Yes.
Will I act differently next time? Maybe.
I still think it is best to give feedback directly to the person involved. Just a different opinion.

 

[pens4821]

I don’t think it’s professional to be chewing gum while helping a customer. However I also think you were wrong to say something. I don’t feel like it was something major enough to say to that person or their manager either.

 

[sam_gordon]

It’s considered “bad show” and is not allowed.

Are you a current or at least recent CM?

 

[FastPasser.]

Are you a current or at least recent CM?

CM spanning 22 years, now a Disney Company retiree.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

mentioning my 'attempt' about my master was not necessary.

Under normal circumstances I'd agree but your OP, which was quoted before you edited it out, mentioned "I worked for years in hospitality, I am working on getting my master's degree in hospitality."

It did stand out when I read the quoted comment as an attempt to show you have more prevailing knowledge on the subject when really it has no relevance on it. Your experience working that I would totally get, but the degree does not. Maybe we could say cultural as normally inserting a degree one has when it isn't necessary implies what the other poster mentioned, superiority.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I wouldn't even mention this on a survey let alone seek out management to offer a reprimand and absolutely wouldn't do something in the moment. It is literally one of the lowest offenses possible and not worth any thought afterwards. Unlikely I would even notice unless they were smacking loudly and were also not doing other parts of their job.

 

[Minnesota!]

Wouldn't bother me, never would mention it. Could be because they have anxiety, a smoker, halitosis, sensory seeking, or just like the taste. Doesn't impact anything outside that few-minute interaction, definitely not going to waste any breath on calling it out.

 

[sam_gordon]

CM spanning 22 years, now a Disney Company retiree.

Congratulations! I'm assuming, however, that the CMs in question had the OK of their managers, that either Disney changed the rules, or they got some kind of exception/allowance to chew gum. Even if they hadn't and they were violating Disney's rules, it's not up to a guest to criticize them.

I agree with PP, saying "I thought CMs weren't allowed to chew gum. Has that changed recently?" Would be a better approach (if something really needed to be said).

 

[Dan Murphy]

It’s considered “bad show” and is not allowed.

Agreed, Lou.