How NOT to Win Friends and Influence People

[inkkognito]

I'm planning to include this in my trip report, but I decided that I should share it on its own as a cautionary tale of how NOT to win friends and influence people.
We went to the Royal Palms beach on Grand Cayman, and on the way back, we had to wait a bit in the cab while it filled. There were two other families waiting with us, including a man, his wife, and two children. The man was giving the cab driver a very hard time because he had charged the $3 per person fare for both kids, including what Dad referred to as an "infant," even though the kid was a walking/talking toddler taking up a whole seat. He thought he was hilarious, saying things like, "She's so adorable that I should make you pay me to look at her." Then he asked the driver if he could take a photo of him. The driver, a little confused, said, "Okay," and Dad said, "Good, because I want to keep it as a momento of the person who charged me for my infant." He had no clue that we all thought he was a jerk. Then he said, "You don't get a tip because that $3 was going to be your tip." That doesn't even make sense...if it's true, then the driver gets the same amount either way. But he kept repeating it: "You lost you tip, man. You're charging me your tip for my infant."
The really sad thing is that I'm sure he treated his stateroom host and dining room servers the same way. I would bet the farm that he stiffed them, even though the suggested tips include children of any age. A kid still takes up space and causes work, and service personnel should be compenstated accordingly. I just hope he is the exception rather than the rule.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at www.disneycruiser.info or www.castawayclub.com

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Oh my, the truest definition of "ugly American" I could think of. Too bad he had to be one of "us".

Deb

 

[Dads Dream]

Hi Barb,

I guess it takes all kinds! What did you think of the taxi drivers, we had a really bad experience 2yrs ago so stayed away from them this time around.

Just wondering where you post trip reports? Would love to check it out.

Thanks

 

[Cruise]

Him - all that BS

Me - "Buddy, I'll pay the $3 for your kid if you'll just shut up."

 

[ohiominnie]

Gee, I had no idea my brother in law was on your cruise! I'd apologize for him, but I've done that quite enough and I'm through.

Some ppl don't know when to shut up. I just feel sorry for his wife and kids. YOU had to put up with him for a short time. THEY get to live with that!

 

[dclwdwlover]

Not that we're all not guilty of being slightly rude - knowingly or not - SOMETIMES - but, as a rule, mannerless, rude people DISGUST me.
My kids get embarassed when I say things, but usually if someone is being very rude & obnoxious to others - whether it includes me or not - I let them know it. Usually by saying something like, "Wow. How rude" or "Yikes, no manners!" Haven't been punched out yet. I'd say at least 1/2 the time it stops them because if they don't have an audience they usually don't see the point in performing.
This guy was waiting for a reaction from 'the crowd' - and I would have given him one - just not the one he thought he was going to get!

 

[dianthus]

I commend you for "biting your tongue" and writing him off as a jerk. If you had said something , it probably would have gotten worse... Sound's like the cab driver did the right thing & ignored him too...

Just be glad you didn't have them as tablemates!!!

 

[inkkognito]

Dianthus, I think you're right. Mr. Ugly American was definitely trying to draw people in. He asked the guy in front of him, "Don't you think she's too cute to pay?" The guy just mumbled something like, "Well, she's cute." Of course, if it was me, I would have been very tempted to respond, "Yes, she IS very cute. Obviously your wife was having a fling with the milkman."
Dads Dream, the cab drivers we encountered were all fine...no bad experiences with them in either Grand Cayman or Cozumel. I know a bit of Spanish, so in Cozumel I was joking en espanol with our driver about the American tourist weaving his scooter in and out of traffic with no helmet on his head but with a helmet dangling from each of his feet!
My trip report will be on my website. I'll post a note when it's our there.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.disneycruiser.info or www.castawayclub.com

 

[bnickle3]

Dear World.....

It is unfortunate you find me (offensive, rude, belligerent, nasty). You simply mistake my attempt to make the world right for humanity. I am reasonable and intelligent, and many could benefit from my vast superiority. I find that if only others would follow my example as a (driver, restaurant patron, movie critic, political genius, parent extrordinaire) the world would be a much more congenial place.

My child, the (star athlete, brainiac, dance star, future president) is such a wonder that he/she should be allowed to skip a few grades, but the high school won't take 3 year olds. Idiots.

My important job provides us with many opportunites for travel, and I have learned many many things that I insist on sharing. If the line for Pluto's is long, I should be able to cut in. I am, after all, me. Those signs by the pool about saving seats are meant for the lesser people, not my family. So those 12 poolside seats over there are ours for the duration of the cruise, and will be saved from now on in case we decide to cruise again some time in the future. My daughter would like to spend 10 minutes, minimum with each Princess. My children are naturally inquisitive (as are most geniuses) so we feel we do them a disservice by using the words "no" or "rules."

One of my greatest pleasures, while traveling, is to take the opportunity to correct those of foreign extraction upon the right way to do things. They don't know any better, having grown up in some place where English isn't spoken, and it is a joy to show them the way.

I understand that all do not find this advice helpful, and some have even suggested that I am a (jerk, putz, loser, know-it-all, heinous lump of wasted human flesh.) What they do not understand is that it is not my fault. I was (abused as a child, high most of my formative years, neglected, envied, dropped on my head several times), so it is not my fault.

I just shake my head and smile gently before opening my mouth to speak even louder.

Sincerely,

The person you get stuck with at dinner.

 

[ennazus]

Originally posted by Cruise
Him - all that BS

Me - "Buddy, I'll pay the $3 for your kid if you'll just shut up."

Classic!! I wish I could think of things like that when I'm put on the spot!

 

[alexandrew]

I am a firm believer in Kharma - treat people the way you expect to be treated....

words to live by

 

[jgalecpa]

UGLY American Story:

DW and I are on a Med. Cruise one year. I ALWAYS make it a point to know some words in the native tounge before arrival

(PLEASE and THANK YOU, at the very least. The First person I use them on are the Immigration People and it usually evokes a smile even from them).

We had left Greece (Epharisto = please; Parakalo = Thank you, BTW) and were on the way to Italy.

Italian lesson were held in the Salon. After the standard Phrases were learned (Prego Grazie, etc), Paolo asked if there were any phrases we would like to learn.

One young lady, about 25 asked "How do you say 'Please Hurry" in Italian. Everyone else cringed.

Paolo replied without batting an eye [insert a lilting Italian accent now]:

"Madam, You Dont."

We all howled and I still smile .

While she was a quite attractive young lady, she was a Ugly American in training.


Buono Serra (sp).

 

[jlawall]

Just wait until the cute, little toddler goes to school and doesn't do her homework. Do you think Daddy will come up with some obnoxious excuse?

I wonder!!!

 

[trishy]

"Yes, she IS very cute. Obviously your wife was having a fling with the milkman."

Do they still have "milkmen"?

Too funny some of these responses. Yep, there are rude people everywhere. Sad but true. Too bad the DCL toilet from hell didn't suck him in

 

[DisneyCruiseluvr]

<b>trishy</b>

Your "smiley" animations are a crack-up! Very unique to say the least.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Dear person I get stuck with at dinner,

How 'bout you meet this Chicago south-sider on the top deck and I show you how warm the Carribean water is!!!! LOL

In my buisness we get a lot of blow holes who want to make a point of either telling people how important they are how much money they have and how great their lives are (but really aren't). If you must think you have to make people notice you musn't have. I have a saying that my DD's 13 and 11 repeat whenever we end up around one of those idiots "Dad is that the guy who wears a thousand dollar suit but can't afford underwear???".


Happy Sailing

 

[dclwdwlover]

Yes, where are they coming from? I checked the 'smilies' link on the tech board but I don't see this toilet one or the kissing or hugging one, either. Help??!!!

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by inkkognito
" Of course, if it was me, I would have been very tempted to respond,

"Yes, she IS very cute. Obviously your wife was having a fling with the milkman."

ROFL!



>>^..^<<

 

[LG123]

If it weren't for the rude and obnoxious we wouldn't have anything to laugh about or at. Have you ever noticed that when confronted with rude people that there are many around us just rolling their eyes? Guess it goes to show that most of us know what is rude and what is not. I have been tempted to be rude right back to some of these people I encounter but that is just not me. Instead, my DH has to hear about it for days!

 

[inkkognito]

Actually I guess you can paraphrase Simba's dad Mufasa to explain it. I remember that he explained the Circle of Life by saying that the antelopes eat the grass, the lions eat the antelopes, then the lions die and become the grass.
The non-rude listen to the rude and then share the rantings of the rude with other non-rudes. Thus the rude provide fodder to be consumed for the amusement of the non-rude.
We all take our place in the great Circle of Life.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com