I wish some people would think before they talk while at WDW

[giantgolfer]

I don't have a problem with what that guy said at all. To each his own I guess...

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

I totally echo what T&C said. It sounded innocent enough. In my real life, I am famous for saying things the wrong way, unintentionally. I wish I could type and edit before I speak

 

[KimR]

I said something like "wow, lucky you, too expensive for our budget" to which he replied he had "blanked (insert anti semitic comment) them down" to get a better rate. I was shocked and horrified. DH and I backed away from him like he had bird flu we were so turned off. How can people be so flagrant with their ignorance and racism? And frankly I see way too much anti overweight, anti this and anti that all over the place. Even on the dis sometimes which is way too bad.

Well, you will probably think I am terribly ignorant but I have to admit that I have used that very same phrase - while speaking to our very good friends who happen to be Jewish, no less. I'd heard the phrase many times and honestly had no idea that it was anti-semitic, I just never made the connection. Then later that evening DH reamed me for saying it and explained that it was derogatory to Jewish people. I felt terrible, I truly had no idea.

 

[myprinceandprincess]

I think some of you are being overly-dramatic.........if you are honestly offended, then just walk away. The world is not perfect, and none of us here will ever make it that way.

I agree with you....Some people are just over dramatic. If you don't like what is being said, ignore it, and move on! Why say something to the person or debate it...WDW is supposed to be the happiest place on earth!!

 

[Chloesmom]

I didn't realize there was any anti-Canadian sentiment in the U.S.

jenny

There seems to be a growing anti canadian sentiment. I think part of it comes from all the illegal immigrant stuff in the news. My DBF is from St Johns so he has this wonderful accent and he uses some different words so people always pick up on it. We have had problems all over the place. A guy at the movies asked him when he was going back home just last week.We went to Gatlinburg and some woman said " all you stupid foriegners" to my DBF at Dollywood because she was irritated at a long line.
I think almost every one slips something here and there that SOMEONE could take wrong or be offended by. I think making a comment like " there are a lot of foriegners here" is innocent enough. When you say something derogatory or mean (like calling them stupid or dirty) that is when you have crossed the line.

 

[HayGan]

One time my Dad & I were waiting for the rope to drop at Frontierland to go on Splash Mountain. While we were waiting we started talking to this guy & his famiy. Well for some reason don't know why he says "god there are a lot of foreign people here, refering to guests from the UK, Mexico, Brazil, etc. Well this didn't bug us that much but we kind of wish we told him your talking to some foreign people because we are from Canada & by your account we are foreigners & wondered what his reaction would have been. I don't know if he said his comment in a mean way or a joking, however those are the kind of comments you should keep to yourself because if you say it to someone they might take it the wrong way. So who here agrees with me?

I don't see how that was a derogatory comment as he was just becoming aware that WDW is a popular destination from people around the world. If he would have made a comment about wanting them not to be there then that would have been different. It was just an observation not a derogatory comment. I don't see that anything in that statement could be taken as derogatory.

 

[HayGan]

There are probably as many idiotic Americans as there are in all the other countries combined.

WOW - generalize much?

I have travelled extensively around the world and I can asure you that ignorance, intollerance and rudeness is not unique to Americans.

 

[BluOrchid2]

to which he replied he had "blanked (insert anti semitic comment) them down" to get a better rate.

I grew up in rural southeast Missouri among hillbilly relatives who used that phrase ALL the time. I grew up thinking it was just a revision of "chewed'em down." I don't think they have any anti-semitic feelings as they likely had never met any Jews....it was just a way of talking that had always been used to describe getting a good deal. It wasn't until I was much older, probably in my 20's and moved away from there, living in suburbia, that I thought about it and actually realized what the saying was inferring.

 

[Luv'sTink]

I didn't realize there was any anti-Canadian sentiment in the U.S.

jenny

There is no more Anti-Canadian Sentiment in the U.S. than there is Anti-American sentiment in Canada. I hear it all the time when I am there. Why am I there? Because my In-laws are Canadian and my DH was Canadian, he is now a naturalized U.S. citizen.

 

[Tissa]

I grew up in rural southeast Missouri among hillbilly relatives who used that phrase ALL the time. I grew up thinking it was just a revision of "chewed'em down." I don't think they have any anti-semitic feelings as they likely had never met any Jews....it was just a way of talking that had always been used to describe getting a good deal. It wasn't until I was much older, probably in my 20's and moved away from there, living in suburbia, that I thought about it and actually realized what the saying was inferring.

Same here

 

[denver87]

The statement, "there are a lot of foreigners here" isn't racist or derogatory at all.

It was simply an observation by someone that a lot of people from different countries (foreigners by definition) are at WDW. We always enjoy meeting people from around the world during our stays at WDW.

Seems to me like the PC police are always on the lookout for "buzz" words so they can pounce on someone who doesn't share their way of thinking.

Stop ease dropping on other guests and start enjoying your time at WDW

 

[Disneynut25]

You know I love this country for the fact you can speak you mind. I spent 7yrs overseas and differnet places so this could be done. In my mind this country is being forced to become to PC. I dont mind people visiting or those who want to become citizens but if your vias expire get the heck out! And please dont jump our borders, I be glad when there is a wall. My pop is from the Holland and is pround he became American and if you ask him what nationalty he is he will say US not dutch. Anyways, what is the differnce between you saying someone is rude and when someone states what they say, nothin! I am learning to except or acknowledge others for who they are but I am not going to sit quietly and that can mean or take different ways. But let me decide not others even the government. I think thats enough saidto make people like you think. steps down from soap box

I'm sorry but are you from this country?...The way that you type reminds me of someone whose second language is english...Just wondering

 

[boxer]

I grew up in rural southeast Missouri among hillbilly relatives who used that phrase ALL the time. I grew up thinking it was just a revision of "chewed'em down." I don't think they have any anti-semitic feelings as they likely had never met any Jews....it was just a way of talking that had always been used to describe getting a good deal. It wasn't until I was much older, probably in my 20's and moved away from there, living in suburbia, that I thought about it and actually realized what the saying was inferring.

I agree, and I don't even think saying that incites any 'racists' feelings? Its a saying, plain and simple. I mean, where are you going to draw the line to what is or is not offensive? I'm Irish and Italian, so I guess I'm supposed to take offense to St Patricks day, and the Irish being called 'drunks'. Or everytime I say that I'm Italian, I jokingly get asked if my grandparents were mobsters?

C'mon people........who cares what other people think. As long as they aren't saying anything directly derogatory to my family, I could care LESS.

 

[ton80]

The Commy Aclu Laywers May Be Lurking On These
Boards. Its Not Like This Gentleman Was Slandering Any Race!
Just Making An Observation. Hey If An American Was In Saudi Arabia
For Ex: And Made A Simialr Comment He Would Probably Be Shot On
The Spot. Protece This Country And Freedom Of Speech !!!!!!!!

 

[helenm29]

Actually, the last time we went to DW we had a probem with some very pushy German people! very unfriendly and nasty to my kids but you know, everyone has a bad day and I'm hoping that was theirs! I was born and raised partially in Germany so I know it's not ALL Germans.

 

[Judge Fudge]

This is great. In one thread you're all offended because someone said there were a lot of foreigners in the park. But in the other everybody bashes the Brazillians for their bad behavior as a whole.

I don't think a comment like that was meant to be rude, but then again we don't know the context in which it was said. Was I in their place, I might have said I was not from America as well, just to see his reaction.

If I say, "There are a lot of women who post on this forum.", does that make me sexist, or am I simply making an observation? I believe it to be the latter. People really need to chill out.

 

[Licorice]

There are probably as many idiotic Americans as there are in all the other countries combined.

Please, speak for yourself!

 

[Disneynut25]

*****

 

[CleveRocks]

Yes we have freedom of speach in America BUT no one has the right to slander or disparage any group based on sex, religion, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental disabilty, or ethnicity [place of origin]. This is against the law by federal and state laws. People who spout off this nonsense could be charged with a hate crime if they carry the insults too far.

This is absolutely untrue. It is not against the law to disparage a person or a group. There are laws against slander (spoken word) and libel (printed word) when it causes that person economic damage or other serious damage to reputation, and is done with malice. However, it's not against any laws in the USA to:
tell someone you don't like them because of their race or religion, or ...
tell others you don't like a group of people and wish they would go back to "wherever they came from," or ...
say an individual or a group is always drunk/cheap/lazy/violent/dumb.

Verbally expressing hate is NOT a "hate crime." Hate crimes ALWAYS involve the commission of another already-illegal activity, such as vandalism, assault, murder, etc.

I abhor racism, ignorance, and all sorts of nasty and ignorant things like that. But speaking an opinion, even a stupid opinion, is not illegal.

Now don't confuse this with slander and libel. Let's say I hate a certain ethnic group. Someone of that ethnic group opens a restaurant in my neighborhood. I get a bullhorn or distribute leaflets and announce to the neighborhood that people of that ethnic group hunt down neighborhood cats and kill and butcher them and eat cooked cat. Well, I'm not just spewing hatred, I'm now making an accusation against the new restaurant (I didn't mention the new owner or restaurant by name, but I've indicted all people of that ethnicity) by saying, in effect, "Don't eat there because you'll be eating your neighbors' cats." My saying/printing this FALSE information will hurt the restaurant, and I clearly did it with malice. THAT would be against the law.

But if I want to be ignorant and stand in WDW and talk (in a normal voice, not standing on a stage somewhere) about how much I dislike a certain ethnic group and why, I have a legal right to do so.

And even though I hate racism, I support a person's right to speak their mind. If we start limiting what people can say, we might make it against the law for YOU to say something YOU believe in ....

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

Im from Montana and I've met people who think that's a different country!