Havy you ever noticed?

[mickeyluv'r]

Park guests who appear to be body space awareness challenged?

Here are some park touring examples:
1. Folks who have trouble determining their personal (body) volume. Recently I was sitting down in the Muppets show, a man in the row behind me whacked me full in the head with his backpack! It surprised me that anyone could be so oblivious!

2. Folks that have trouble navigating pathways. Person A and B are coming from opposite directions. If both follow protocol, and shift a foot to their right, they pass easily. In this situation though, many folks just stare like a proverbial deer in the headlights, or worse, some glare!

3. Folks who seem unaware that they are in public. They completely don't look where they are going, but get mad at THEIR victim when they crash. No apology, even when they walk into a parked stroller.

4. Cell phone cameras! Either held above the head during the fireworks (so as to obstruct everyone else's view), flash photos on dark rides.

I don't start this thread simply to rant, but rather to ask for solutions in situations like these.


Is it ever okay to speak up?

Any solutions?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

What would you say?

 

[jesse8931]

I find most people who are not from the U.S are this way.

Last trip a guy was so close I could feel his breath on my neck.

I turned around and asked him to back up.

Another time a family member of mine had a guy keep bumping his legs with a stroller and about the 5th time he asked the guy to stop he responded with a four letter word and at that point a cm was called and the guy was escorted off.

 

[Micca]

I've noticed that some people forget that they are in a really crowded place. There are people on your left, right, in front of you, behind you, and some much shorter than you(children.) You can't just stop or turn around suddenly like you're the only one in the vicinity.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

People don't pay attention much of the time. They are absorbed in what they are doing. Pointing this out to them might make them more mindful or it might not.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I don't start this thread simply to rant, but rather to ask for solutions in situations like these.

Only solution I can offer is to become more tolerant when you visit the worlds #1 tourist destination. There are plenty of different people with different backgrounds from different cultures and what may seem like a customary norm to you doesn't even dawn on alot of other people.

 

[KorbensMomma]

Folks that have trouble navigating pathways. Person A and B are coming from opposite directions. If both follow protocol, and shift a foot to their right, they pass easily. In this situation though, many folks just stare like a proverbial deer in the headlights, or worse, some glare!

I always wondered about this, in the US we drive on the right side and are trained in kindergarten to walk on the right side of the hall. But what about other country's? Most country's drive on the left, so on what side are they trained to walk? I sometimes wonder if we are both stepping away but still end up in front if each other in a two step dance?

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

I think it might depend on the population where you are from for both US and overseas.

For example: Personally, my etiquette in a movie theater or anywhere where there are a lot of open seats is to leave at least one or two seats between me and the person next to me. Of course, this changes if the theater or place is really crowded. Or if there is an employee specifically asking people to move together. I am from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area so I'm used to a lot of people around but it isn't anything like New York, LA, Hong Kong, etc.

Conversely, when I was on a business trip overseas, I was sitting with a coworker at the gate waiting for a flight. Even though I knew him very well, there was one seat between me and him. A woman walked up to us and sat right next to my coworker. He was very surprised and looked uncomfortable. The three of us were the only ones sitting at the very large gate area. It was a very small plane so even when most everyone was there, we still didn't come close to using up all the available seating. We felt it was very strange that she would choose a seat so close but it was a very typical experience for us in that country. Everything was small and compact and everyone had to be so near each other all the time.

Living in that type of situation changes your concept of personal space, I think. And then, of course, there are those people whose personal bubble is so tiny by nature that they just assume that everyone wants to be as close as they do.

As for saying something, again I go back to my roots and choose not to say anything unless it keeps happening or if they are taking my place/seat/space. Then I try and be as polite as possible and ask them to stop or move. But that's me.

It's an interesting world out there people!

 

[lugnut33]

I'm one of those spatially challenged people who doesn't know personal boundaries. I've lived here all my life, but spent a few years living in Latin America where i learned to forget about personal space.

So yeah, it'll be me who's standing inches from you and whacks you with my backpack. Let me apologize ahead of time. Sorry!

 

[Josh Hendy]

There are some cultural differences about personal space, supposedly. In China it wasn't traditional until recently to form an orderly queue for services, but to make a kind of huge huddle around the entrance, ticket booth, or whatever.

And allegedly, people from northern European cultures tend to converse with other people from a relatively larger distance with less speaking volume and a lot less hand-waving than southern Europeans, hence the expression "in your face".

Aside from cultural differences, some people are just plain rude because of the way they were brought up, and other people are respectful and polite but start to lose it when they're tired or stressed ...

 

[JoeA]

The backpack thing is really annoying. I fly a lot and usually sit in the aisle seat...can't tell you how many times I've been hit with backpacks!

Slightly off topic (in terms of location) but the people who stop at the top of an escalator bug the crap out of me too!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Only solution I can offer is to become more tolerant when you visit the worlds #1 tourist destination. There are plenty of different people with different backgrounds from different cultures and what may seem like a customary norm to you doesn't even dawn on alot of other people.

My post didn't mention any other cultures, that was another person. I've traveled to other countries, and don't recall having any more difficulties than in the USA. I'd even say some cultures excel at body space skills. Tokyo comes to mind.

 

[Skywise]

In China it wasn't traditional until recently to form an orderly queue for services, but to make a kind of huge huddle around the entrance, ticket booth, or whatever.

How does that even work for order taking? Did people just "naturally" be civil and sort of self-order in the crowd?

4. Cell phone cameras! Either held above the head during the fireworks (so as to obstruct everyone else's view), flash photos on dark rides.

I'll quasi-apologize for that. I have a DSLR and video the fireworks and other castle shows and will try to keep the screen at or just above my face level. Unless somebody puts their kid on their shoulders in front of me.

Or at the end of the Star Wars parade in front of the podium where we were crammed in like sardines on and the ONLY way I was getting a clear shot was holding it over my head! Sorry!

 

[bocaj1431]

Some people are truly spatially challenged. For example my son has autism, (he is 14 but 6ft 2 and in no way looks his age) and often is unaware when he is in someone's way, too close to someone, or may have inadvertently bumped someone. I also have a mother who has shizophrenia and may also not be spatially aware in such a highly crowded situation.

I myself had a back pack on, in the airport, and accidentally hit someone with it while trying to deal with my son. Of course, I apologized.

My point is, no one is perfect and in most cases there may be a reason that in that situation or that moment they are acting in a manner that is upsetting to you. It could be they have mental or biological issues. It could be that they are dealing with something at that moment, which lends to their not being as courteous, or they could just be oblivious at that moment. It is rare that the behavior is purposeful.

Therefore, I think the best solution is to look at it that way. Maybe it will soften your distress over their actions. If you still can't handle it,walk away, take a breath, focus on how awesome it is to be in DW.

If someone is really going overboard with their disrespectful actions and it is affecting your enjoyment maybe ask nicely in a non accusatory way to stop or change their behavior. If that does not work and all else fails, either go to a different spot or seek help from a CM.

Hope this helps.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

The backpack thing is really annoying. I fly a lot and usually sit in the aisle seat...can't tell you how many times I've been hit with backpacks!

Slightly off topic (in terms of location) but the people who stop at the top of an escalator bug the crap out of me too!

I think this is right in the same venue. In that case, folks on the escalator often do start yelling- at least in my experience. It is a dangerous situation if the escalator is crowded.



In addition to the back pack at WDW, a few days later someone whacked me again at the airport with their bag. Mild concussion hard. I nearly threw up. I'm tough, but had a headache for hours. The guy didn't even stop. He asked if I was okay as he was walking away. (so he was aware he'd hit me with a heavy bag) Hit and run. I'd have spoken up, but he was gone. Luckily my spouse was also traveling with me, though we were not together at the time of the accident.

It was not a good week for my head!

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think the main problem is just that it's very crowded much of the year.
There is also an element of people looking around or trying to get oriented.

 

[supersnoop]

I always wondered about this, in the US we drive on the right side and are trained in kindergarten to walk on the right side of the hall. But what about other country's? Most country's drive on the left, so on what side are they trained to walk? I sometimes wonder if we are both stepping away but still end up in front if each other in a two step dance?

Certainly not "most" countries drive on the left; only a few former British colonies.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

my son has autism, (he is 14 but 6ft 2 and in no way looks his age)
a mother who has shizophrenia.

I myself.

I suspect they don't like getting hit in the head either. And that both would appreciate better public safety just as much as I would.

I thinking about this thread, I quickly searched escalator accidents, and came across some interesting legal commentary. (some was pretty gruesome- I don't suggest it!)

One category of escalator accidents is human error - as a broad category.

And there's hope! Those announcements in the airport (The moving walkway is ending) really do improve safety! Conversely, advertisements on the side of an escalator decrease safety. I think there are ways to improve flow at WDW.
Civil engineers all study flow design. A small narrowing of a highway can lead to major highway backups - like snow banks this time of year. I know Disney works in this issue all the time. It is amazing how much Disney has increased flow in the spot where Dumbo used to be. The way they designed the new archways is brilliant.

So maybe part of the solution is improved design on Disney's part.


Nobody is perfect, but I truly think there's also a solution to be found in education. Again, I go back to the escalator article I read. It cited a program where children were taught how to ride an escalator. Sure enough, the program improved escalator safety.

I'm optimistic that there are ways to improve the experience for everyone.

I don't imagine your son like being hit in the head any

 

[ChimneyJim]

I love the groups that walk 4 or more abreast and won't split when approaching others. I'm a big guy and just square my shoulder and let them have it.

 

[MsMagical]

I think it might depend on the population where you are from for both US and overseas.

For example: Personally, my etiquette in a movie theater or anywhere where there are a lot of open seats is to leave at least one or two seats between me and the person next to me. Of course, this changes if the theater or place is really crowded. Or if there is an employee specifically asking people to move together. I am from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area so I'm used to a lot of people around but it isn't anything like New York, LA, Hong Kong, etc.

Conversely, when I was on a business trip overseas, I was sitting with a coworker at the gate waiting for a flight. Even though I knew him very well, there was one seat between me and him. A woman walked up to us and sat right next to my coworker. He was very surprised and looked uncomfortable. The three of us were the only ones sitting at the very large gate area. It was a very small plane so even when most everyone was there, we still didn't come close to using up all the available seating. We felt it was very strange that she would choose a seat so close but it was a very typical experience for us in that country. Everything was small and compact and everyone had to be so near each other all the time.

Living in that type of situation changes your concept of personal space, I think. And then, of course, there are those people whose personal bubble is so tiny by nature that they just assume that everyone wants to be as close as they do.

As for saying something, again I go back to my roots and choose not to say anything unless it keeps happening or if they are taking my place/seat/space. Then I try and be as polite as possible and ask them to stop or move. But that's me.

It's an interesting world out there people!

I'm from Minnesota (St. Paul) as well though I haven't lived there for most of the last 15 years. That said, I think that the need for a lot of personal space is definitely the culture we grew up. Minnesotans give each other a lot of space. Having lived and traveled other places, I find this to be my biggest cultural challenge.. I am very, very uncomfortable when someone stands directly behind me or sits right next to me. I know this is a result of how we were raised. Also, even though I have learned to be a bit more direct and address things more quickly since I've been gone from MN, I have to fight those roots that tell me not to say anything until it has happened several times or not to say anything at all.

As to the original poster's request: I think the only thing you can really do anything about is the cell phone issue by politely asking them to hold their phone down. The rest are just spacial mistakes that, unfortunately, happened to you but you have no way of knowing if it is a spacial issue for the other person or a one time thing.