Just back....some observations and opinions

[vettechick99]

Rudeness of foreigners...Not just to me but to other people...They would push in line (or worse push their kids in lines at character greetings)...Many times acted like the rules did not apply to them. Now I know Americans can be just as rude, we just happened to encounter many rude people from other countries this trip

I will try not to stereotype, but I did notice when we went in July we had issues with the teenagers from Brazil. Now I know teens are pretty much in their own world 99% of the time, but we had to ask several to get off our chairs at BB a few times. They would sit on my chair while I was laying on it! I mean they had their own chairs, but continually sat on ours. I can't imagine any American doing that. We like our personal space too much.

 

[PatsMom]

I will try not to stereotype, but I did notice when we went in July we had issues with the teenagers from Brazil. Now I know teens are pretty much in their own world 99% of the time, but we had to ask several to get off our chairs at BB a few times. They would sit on my chair while I was laying on it! I mean they had their own chairs, but continually sat on ours. I can't imagine any American doing that. We like our personal space too much.

We were there in January and there were some huge Brazilian tour groups. Right away we figured out that they don't have the same respect for personal space that Americans typically do!

 

[ElliePeters]

No flaming here, I completely understand.

 

[disluhypno]

I have to agree with every single one of you on every single topic.

People who smoke can be somewhat dim, because sometimes they will smoke just anywhere without a thought to anyone else's health. This happens at my college campus all the time. Haven't they heard by now that smoking is harmful? Probably not, or maybe they killed off too many brain cells to think logically (not all smokers are like that, so please don't get offended if I just grouped all smokers in this category!).

The "F" word should only be used in cases of extreme and dire stress, not when it's convenient. Even when pressures amount enumerably, this word should be the last resort. I read someone say that the media plays a factor in the growing use of this term, especially in public, and I have to agree. I know people who will see a film (if you can call it that) that uses the "F" word in between every other word, and they will come out of the movie speaking the same language. It's amazing.

Rude foreigners? Well, I tend to let rude people, no matter where there from, simmer in their own negativity. If they want to bring down their emotional state to such an unhealthy level (and believe me, your body degrades itself, health wise when you are in a constant state of negativity) then that is their problem. However sometimes I can be a bit sensitive and let other people's personalities put me off, when they really weren't intending to be rude.

People are bizarre!

 

[focusondisney]

I can't agree with the idea that smoking outside the parks can be done where one sees fit.

I just quit smoking 1.5 months ago on a bet and if I hadn't I would have been a smoker in Disney. Me personally, I've never thought of it as 'not in the park, I can smoke where I want.' I actually thought until reading this that designated areas were enforced on all Disney property - which I would consider waiting in line for a boat.

If not, I still wouldn't be smoking in a group of people. I would stand in a corner, away from others. I completely understand that it's my choice to smoke - and I don't think it's difficult to understand that it's a nasty habit, it smells and it's harmful. I wouldn't want to harm anyone that made a better decision then I did not to put poison into their bodies. Even when I did smoke, I refused to walk around outside and smoke at the same time even though that's legal. I just found it rude. At least if I stay in the same spot people don't have to get stuck walking behind me inhaling toxins.

A little courtesy goes a long way... and really isn't that difficult.

On behalf of nonsmokers everywhere, Thank You!

 

[W.E.D.]

Regarding the whole smoking thing: Some people consider the effect their actions will have on others, and some don't. Even before the designated areas, I would always try and go to a secluded area away from the main pathways. I've never even considered smoking in a line, either inside or outside of the parks. To me, it's just good sense and good manners.

 

[SuperTink]

You say "just" like everyone had it. Wish that were the case. Glad *you* do, though!

 

[PatsMom]

Regarding the whole smoking thing: Some people consider the effect their actions will have on others, and some don't. Even before the designated areas, I would always try and go to a secluded area away from the main pathways. I've never even considered smoking in a line, either inside or outside of the parks. To me, it's just good sense and good manners.

unfortunately good sense and good manners seem to be increasingly rare. My husband and I used to do the same thing prior to the designated areas. And he would never dream of lighting up in line at the bus stop or boat launch. If he wants to grab a quick cigarette before we get in line, he goes to an area off to the side of the people and away from the main pathways.

But there will always be rude smokers, just as there are rude non-smokers!

 

[Goofdad]

Rudeness of foreigners...Not just to me but to other people...They would push in line (or worse push their kids in lines at character greetings)...Many times acted like the rules did not apply to them. Now I know Americans can be just as rude, we just happened to encounter many rude people from other countries this trip

haven't read the whole thread yet but stopped to comment on this point.

We noticed the same thing on our recent trip. It bothered me. It bothered me to think that I was somehow being racist; I know there are plenty of Americans that are rude/ignorant/etc.

Here's the conclusion(s) I came to:
1. you notice foreigners more because their foreign language stands out. That right away makes them more noticeable in line/crowd/etc.

2. Culturally, Americans have and are used to more open space. People from European and Asian countries have a different definition of "personal space" than people in the USA. Their bumping, banging, stepping right in front of you is not anything offensive in their view, it's what they're used to in their crowded subways, cities, countries, etc.

3. Many people (American or otherwise) will use any means possible to "pretend" ignorance in an attempt to by-pass/overlook/or not follow the rules.

 

[bouncy54]

unfortunately good sense and good manners seem to be increasingly rare. My husband and I used to do the same thing prior to the designated areas. And he would never dream of lighting up in line at the bus stop or boat launch. If he wants to grab a quick cigarette before we get in line, he goes to an area off to the side of the people and away from the main pathways.

But there will always be rude smokers, just as there are rude non-smokers!

Nicely said!

Let's put the shoe on the other foot, shall we? Perhaps I'm offended by someone's body odor, or become nauseated by the deodorant they use, or the perfume they douse themselves with. Maybe I'm offended by the foul smelling carbon monoxide that so many exhale when standing in line. Heck, maybe I'm offended by the look on someone's face. And just maybe I'm offended by their attitude, period! Anyone can be offended by any number of things...sometimes on a physical level, sometimes on an emotional one. ..both are just as damaging to your health. Example: I'm sure that my blood pressure has elevated to some degree just reading some of these posts.

Some people have no idea just how rude, arrogant, and condescending they sound. They're always looking to remove the splinter in someone else's eye while completely ignoring the 2 x 4 in their own.

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

Wow, we were there for a week at the end of January and we must have been lucky because we never encountered any of the problems you had. The CMs were all super great, in fact we thought many of them went above and beyond to be helpful and kind. No one tried to cut in line, maybe because there were no lines At the parades we don't mind if kids push past to stand in front of us since we can see over them and DH always put DD5 on his shoulders if she couldn't see (sorry to those behind us). We never encountered anyone smoking outside the smoking areas. I definately would notice because I hate smoke I decided before I went to not sweat the small stuff We had the perfect vacation and we can't wait to go back. There might have been a couple of blips but I chose not to notice enough to remember them

 

[lillygator]

Nicely said!

Let's put the shoe on the other foot, shall we? Perhaps I'm offended by someone's body odor, or become nauseated by the deodorant they use, or the perfume they douse themselves with. Maybe I'm offended by the foul smelling carbon monoxide that so many exhale when standing in line. Heck, maybe I'm offended by the look on someone's face. And just maybe I'm offended by their attitude, period! Anyone can be offended by any number of things...sometimes on a physical level, sometimes on an emotional one. ..both are just as damaging to your health. Example: I'm sure that my blood pressure has elevated to some degree just reading some of these posts.

Some people have no idea just how rude, arrogant, and condescending they sound. They're always looking to remove the splinter in someone else's eye while completely ignoring the 2 x 4 in their own.

those are not secondhand smoke, no comparison in my book.

 

[KellyNY]

I get irritated with foreigners. I don't look for them, but I notice them when they are rude like jumping lines or cutting someone off.

I also get irritated with smokers. If you are smoking in areas were it's allowed, nothing I can do. I will still give you looks, especially if the smoke is going in my children's air.

But, I am that person at the park that will make sure you know you aren't allowed to smoke in the park. And I will be sure to embarrass you anyway that I can!!!!

And one day someone may just do the same to you, you think it is acceptable?

 

[Chirple]

If I find myself downwind of someone's cigarette, I will move to a better location.

As far as determining designated smoking areas, doesn't Disney (and other businesses) have receptacles for finished cigarettes? If there isn't one around, wouldn't this indicate a smoke-free area on Disney property?

I'm a former smoker; I quit just as indoor designated smoking areas went into effect in NYC. I remember the days of smoking at my desk. Boy, am I dating myself!

 

[pixiefairy]

We were there three separate times this past year, and while I didn't see anything horrible (we had fantastic CM's, no rude encounters, etc.), and this past November, my dh was a smoking Disney guest. He started back up over the summer, and this was my first visit having to stop frequently while he took a "break". Sometimes, I wandered on my own while he did his thing, but sometimes I took his break with him. My dh is a very careful smoker...always looking for small kids and not blowing smoke intentionally at people. There are few designated smoking areas that are not off and out of the way, but you have to walk through to get from point A to Point B. The smokers obeying the rules got a LOT of looks in those areas from people walking through...and honestly...it's possible that they had no idea that this large group of people were doing as they were told and not following some kind of smokers group mentality, lol. If you take a look at a map and familiarize yourself with those areas, especially those you can walk through (and generally...there are other pathways to take), you can avoid the smokers en-mass. At the resorts, DH found the places he could smoke (and I'm not sure there were designated areas) and he went out on his own. He's vowing to quit before we go with the kids in September, and I'm hoping so as well. It does take a LOT of time out of the day when you are stopping for 5-10 minutes several times to take a break. I know that there are a LOT of thoughtful smokers out there, and sometimes they may not realize they are offending someone near by, but there are those that just don't care. Sorry if the OP dealt with someone like that.

 

[Britgirlus]

Dh was a smoker for our last trip - a very considerate one, I might add. Our 6 year old has never seen him smoke, although he knew he did. When we were at DTD dh wanted a cigarette, but couldn't find a designated area, so went without. He finally asked a CM where he was allowed to smoke, and apparently there are no designated areas there ? He went to a quiet spot, away from the rest of the people.
Happily, dh quit smoking in December, so we won't have to waste any time finding smoking areas in May

 

[Bouncin-Tigger]

To me personally there is nothing less attractive than someone who smokes man or woman, I am married now with 2 children but when I was single I would never date or even look twice at a woman who smoked. Just a choice of mine but I do respect and appreciate a responsible smoker, someone who finds the designated areas. I recently saw that some foreign countries are passing laws that make it illegal for adults to smoke in a car even with a window open with children under the age of 16. Because of the second hand smoke and tough child abuse laws. Think people who cant smoke in bars or have to find designated areas are mad think if we ever passed these laws....

 

[PatsMom]

Dh was a smoker for our last trip - a very considerate one, I might add. Our 6 year old has never seen him smoke, although he knew he did. When we were at DTD dh wanted a cigarette, but couldn't find a designated area, so went without. He finally asked a CM where he was allowed to smoke, and apparently there are no designated areas there ? He went to a quiet spot, away from the rest of the people.
Happily, dh quit smoking in December, so we won't have to waste any time finding smoking areas in May

That is true. We asked a few different trips if the designated areas were on a map and always got told that designated areas applied to the theme parks only. DTD you can smoke wherever you want. So DH just finds a spot away from the majority of the traffic. As you walk there are receptacles for butts near some of the trash cans I think.

Now the hotels have designated areas as well. They are on the map they give you when you check in. And they have receptacles too.

 

[bwilcox]

Let's put the shoe on the other foot, shall we? Perhaps I'm offended by someone's body odor, or become nauseated by the deodorant they use, or the perfume they douse themselves with. Maybe I'm offended by the foul smelling carbon monoxide that so many exhale when standing in line. Heck, maybe I'm offended by the look on someone's face. And just maybe I'm offended by their attitude, period! Anyone can be offended by any number of things...sometimes on a physical level, sometimes on an emotional one. ..both are just as damaging to your health. Example: I'm sure that my blood pressure has elevated to some degree just reading some of these posts.

Foul smells like perfume do not cause lung cancer or a score of other illnesses. There is no comparison. Also, smoking anywhere except for the designated areas is against Disney rules. Being stinky, while maybe annoying, isn't.

 

[bwilcox]

Our last trip, we didn't notice any smokers in the wrong areas at all (and with a member of our group with asthma, we notice things like that). Just wanted to point out that sometimes a few bad apples give everyone a bad name, and the great majority of smokers are respectful of others.