Curious about Asian workers at US/IOA

[FloridaMom]

We just got back from US/IOA today and I told my husband I would ask all my Disboards friends about this, we noticed that since our visit last year there were a lot of Asian/Oriental workers all over the parks.... Is there a special reason for this? Maybe some training going on for a new park overseas?

We were a little annoyed, mainly because it was hard to understand them due to their accent... I believe that anyone working at the park should speak proper english, and that was not the case in our experience this weekend.

I say this being a foreigner myself, I am brazilian and have lived in the US for 20 years now, so please no flames So, if anyone has the answer please let us know...

 

[phamton]

They are here on internships. All the parks in Orlando have internships. I'm surprised that you haven't noticed them at the Disney parks on your visits.

 

[FloridaMom]

We had not been at Universal for a couple years, and I really do not remember that many at the Disney parks last spring... thanks for the answer, I thought maybe they were planning a new park somewhere in Asia since so many developments are going on over that part of the world...

 

[Motherfletcher]

Oriental- Correct usage should be an adjective for things like inanimate objects like rugs, not humans.

 

[MamaKate]

Oriental- Correct usage should be an adjective for things like inanimate objects like rugs, not humans.

I was going to post the same thing. Asian=people Oriental=objects.

 

[ChrisFL]

thats funny, 90% of the outdoor foods people at Disney are from internships...but mostly it seems from South American countries like Brazil, maybe thats why you didnt feel weird?

 

[phamton]

A year ago, I went to Casey's in Magic Kingdom. They had several Asians working that didn't speak English very well yet. I had a difficult time simply ordering a hot dog and coke. She couldn't understand my Texas accent and I couldn't understand what she was saying. I finally ended up writing down my order. It didn't bother me. I know when I was that age, I would have never had the courage to work in a foreign country that spoke a different language. I think it's admirable.

 

[Mom23chicklets]

They are here on internships. All the parks in Orlando have internships. I'm surprised that you haven't noticed them at the Disney parks on your visits.

phamton, is there anything you don't know about US??? Seriously, I've been spending a lot of time reading these boards and I really appreciate all the great advice and info from everyone, especially phamton!

 

[phamton]

My husband says I am a know-it-all. I try to live up to that reputation.

 

[KStarfish82]

Funny that this is mentioned.

I went to Universal two days ago, and I noticed that every single one of the workers taking the money for parking, were Asian. Not that I hadn't seen Asians doing this job before, but it was just odd that EVERY BOOTH had an Asian worker...and two days later, there was more diversity!

 

[FloridaMom]

Wow, even though I asked a simple question due to my curiosity I still get flamed... I did not mean to offend anyone and certainly was not aware that I could not call people oriental ... live and learn though... My question was just because I felt it was unusual that 99% of the ride attendants were ASIAN....that was not my experience on my previous visit.

 

[sha_lyn]

Where have you been flamed?

 

[FloridaMom]

Maybe it just feels that way... I hate it when people take what I am trying to say the wrong way....

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I dont think you were flamed. I am curious was 99% an exaggeration? I cant believe it could change that drastically since I was there the end of February. The ride TM's are mostly Asian? phamton?

Please OP dont think I am flaming you I am truly curious if this is possible.

 

[FloridaMom]

We were there over the past weekend, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, we saw mostly Asians; at the entrance of the park, at the express check in, at the ride loading area.... on Tuesday we saw more american workers....

 

[poggs]

A year ago, I went to Casey's in Magic Kingdom. They had several Asians working that didn't speak English very well yet. I had a difficult time simply ordering a hot dog and coke. She couldn't understand my Texas accent and I couldn't understand what she was saying. I finally ended up writing down my order. It didn't bother me. I know when I was that age, I would have never had the courage to work in a foreign country that spoke a different language. I think it's admirable.

As a scottish person I find that less than 50% of servers in the orlando area can understand a word of what I'm asking them. I find that non americans understand me best, but southern raised african/american females, just cannot get me at all. I remember one time the server couldnt understand 'beer'! I simply point at pictures and grunt.

 

[TaylorsDad]

A few years back I went to the beach and visited an amusement park area close by. And as it was hot I needed to cool off. Well at a local place called the pavillion I could
find no workers speaking English too well or even understanding mine. Well, I asked an attractive Spanish speaking lady for cup of "Ice" (guess she didnt hear me say cup of )She apparently thought I was asking for something else because I got water thrown in my face. Its okay I had a good laugh about it and when I got her to understand what I had been asking for she was so appolegetic.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

A few years back I went to the beach and visited an amusement park area close by. And as it was hot I needed to cool off. Well at a local place called the pavillion I could
find no workers speaking English too well or even understanding mine. Well, I asked an attractive Spanish speaking lady for cup of "Ice" (guess she didnt hear me say cup of )She apparently thought I was asking for something else because I got water thrown in my face. Its okay I had a good laugh about it and when I got her to understand what I had been asking for she was so appolegetic.

Wow! I wonder if she really just wanted to do that! Kidding.

 

[Dismom+two]

I was going to post the same thing. Asian=people Oriental=objects.

I am so glad I opened this up to read.....I did not know this fact. Thanks for PC lesson!

 

[cali99boy]

We were there over the past weekend, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, we saw mostly Asians; at the entrance of the park, at the express check in, at the ride loading area.... on Tuesday we saw more american workers....

whats your definition of an American?

I'm Asian btw. Also born and raised in California. That would make me hmm Currently residing in Florida and also work at Disney. I can tell you, and I'm sure you know, that Hispanics make up the majority of the minority population here. A lot work at the amusement parks, a lot at the grocery store, a lot just about everywhere. I've bumped into my fair share of those that don't speak any English whatsoever and even proceeded to speak to me in Spanish. I just give them my ticket, money, or whatever it is I'm going into or purchasing and its done -- Or I can complain about them not speaking English.

Lots of foreigners hate other foreigners so I don't think you should use that an your "I'm clean" card. Though I don't believe you meant anything by it. I'm just pointing that out.

With all that said, if you needed any help and you came up to me and asked me in English, not only will I understand you, I'll also try to help you with whatever it is you need help with and reply in perfect fluent English just like a "real American"