I read this thread through and realized that we are all pretty much filled with pixie dust for Disney. I was surprised at the posters who kinda slammed someone for crying over spilt milk...when that milk cost $600 and had lots of important photos. Yes, she did get her camara back and yes she should be thankful...but the tears and worry and heartbreak of a full day of vacation is hard to replace.
On the other hand...one bad experience should NOT be a call to arms that ALL the CMs and all the GMs and waiters and maids service people are thieves.
Here's an idea: empathy for both sides and trying to help each side understand what the other was feeling doing. Wouldn't that be a win/win?
It always amazes me how those of us in the service industry can make or break someone's day with just a smile. The bottom line is that if someone comes to you for help, just TELL them that you will do everything possible to find that camera and make it right. Give them EMPATHY, and whether or not the camera is ever found, the person feels better because empathy was shown.
And btw, all it takes is a key and 3 minutes to get into the closed restaurant to look while it takes half an hour to explain why you can't.
We ALL need to practice empathy more. Empathy for the woman who was visible crushed at the loss of her camera and empathy for the Disney staff who was probably running around 'all cut up chicken no mo head ' on Thanksgiviing day. We need to remember that lots of these people aren't getting paid very much, and I think they sometimes justify taking things from 'the rich people who visit here' ....tho it is THEFT and not all of us visitors are rich!
I think training people in the service industry has to include in depth empathy training and it so often doesn't.
P.S.: I lose things all the time and almost always they are returned. Once, a wallet fell out of my purse at a restaurant . Returned with th $600 still in it.
But then a digital camera was lost in a taxi in Mexico...and I even had the taxi number and went to his house and confronted him and still didn't get it back. So I gave him the battery charger and said: here, you'll need this.
Once, at a BW hotel outside
DisneyLAND, I left my nightgown hanging on the back hook of the bathroom. I called (as we had moved into the Disneyland hotel just a few blocks away) housekeeping and was told it hadn't been turned in, which perplexed me, so I went over and back into the room to check to see if the maid accidentally overlooked it at checkout...nope. So I knew someone in housekeeping had it cause no one had checked into the room. So I took the robe that matched and gave it to the manager and said that it went with the nightie that was 'missing'. The nightie showed up later that day!!!! I guess that's called shaming people into doing the right thing (or maybe it is passive/aggressive!!!!)
I am so glad that you got your camera back and I can understand how upset you were to be treated without empathy! If you do write a letter to complain about the management people behind the desk...please consider ALSO writiing a letter to the staff at the restaurant, complimenting them on their honesty for turning the camera in. Offer a reward (which I am sure will be declined but the intent will make someone smile). Send a letter to management re the honestly of the workers at the restaurant.
The way I see it...then everybody wins and people learn how to handle these situations better. I leave for Disney and the AKL on Friday...I think I will take the time today to mark my cell phone number on my camera: if found, please call: Never thought of that before!!!!
Take care all and be sure to spread a little pixie empathy dust today!
Colorado (tinker) Belle!
) have been returned! Kudos to WDW - they rock.
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