Mortified at DME driver

[gmeh1]

The customer isn't always right. A customer who doesn't tip, when a tip is expected for services rendered is wrong.

The drivers statement is neither rude nor berating. He could use the exact same phrase to thank a customer who tipped. We weren't there. We can't base on opinion on your interpretation of the tone of his voice. I'd see your point if the driver called you cheap. Asked if you spent all your money on souvenirs. Asked you if you thought he should be working for free. He said none of those things.

He said in a way which made you feel bad for not tipping. I'll agree with PP. Had you not realized a tip was appropriate you probably wouldn't have even remembered his comment.

Not the end of the world.



Well Lewisc, we have disagreed in the past, but on this one, I totally agree.

Seems this is a big deal over a minor issue.

In the past I did believe the customer is always right, but not anymore. With the elitist and rude manner I have seen some customers use when dealing with a customer service person, its just plain wrong! they think they can say or do anything, just because they are the customer.

AKK

 

[gmeh1]

The customer isn't always right. A customer who doesn't tip, when a tip is expected for services rendered is wrong.

The drivers statement is neither rude nor berating. He could use the exact same phrase to thank a customer who tipped. We weren't there. We can't base on opinion on your interpretation of the tone of his voice. I'd see your point if the driver called you cheap. Asked if you spent all your money on souvenirs. Asked you if you thought he should be working for free. He said none of those things.

He said in a way which made you feel bad for not tipping. I'll agree with PP. Had you not realized a tip was appropriate you probably wouldn't have even remembered his comment.

Not the end of the world.



The driver isn't paid to stow strollers and luggage under the bus. DCL drivers are paid to stow luggage under the bus. They're paid a little more then DME drivers. Disney makes a point of saying tips are included for DME guests but doesn't clearly spell out which tips aren't included. I'll give Disney a lot of the blame. Either pay the drivers the extra money or clearly tell guests a tip is appropriate if the driver assists you by placing luggage under the bus.

The fact that you're not allowed to stow your own luggage isn't relevant. You can't get your own food from the kitchen, go behind the bar and pour your own drink or go into a coat check room and put your coat on a hanger.

From dictionary.com


We generally tip as compensation for a service which we ask to have performed for us under circumstances where those tips are typically part of the compensation of the employee performing the service. You're not required to use DME. You're not required to bring luggage which has to go under the bus.

Words like voluntary or present are used since there is rarely a legally enforceable requirement to tip.

 

[goofy4tink]

I disagree. The comment itself is NOT rude. The timing and tone, maybe. But I don't see how anyone can say "Thank you, you are very kind" is a rude comment.

Have to disagree with you. I can't, under any circumstances, think of a reason that a driver would use that phrase, in this particular situation, other than to be snotty. Yes, it would be completely different if the driver said that to someone that had tipped him $5! It would have had an entirely different feel. I can say that same phrase many different ways..and one of them is the way I think that bus driver said it. The driver wasn't being charitable. I'm sure he was being sarcastic. He expected a tip..granted probably only a buck or two, but still a tip. So when he got nothing, he gave attitude to the guest who should have known better.
I'm saying that guest was in the wrong...should have planned better and been ready to tip. He wasn't. He got an attitude from the driver. Oh well. I don't think a crappy attitude is ever the answer in customer service. And yes, I've been in both retail and office situations giving customer service. The bus drivers for DME expect to be tipped for taking care of things that need to be stowed, so this driver felt stiffed. Two wrongs do not make a right. Plenty of blame to be handed out to both parties here.

Here's my huge issue. Not everyone that uses DME knows that drivers are going to be expected to be tipped for 'touching' their bag, stroller, etc. They have seen on the Disney site that 'gratuities are taken care of when you use DME'..so they figure they're good to go on the bus. But, that statement applies to anyone who has tagged their checked luggage. It does not apply to the guest that didn't tag their bags and brought all 8 of their huge bags to the bus to be stowed beneath it! Do they realize they are supposed to now tip the driver? Probably not....according to the Disney site, tips are taken care of when you use DME!!!
And as usual...tipping is not something we are obligated to do. Tipping 'should' happen when a service has exceeding your expectations, in some manner. So, what happens if the vast majority of guests don't realize they are 'supposed' to be tipping the DME driver? Is it now okay for that driver to say Thank you so much, you are very kind' as the guest gets their luggage and walks away? How could anyone not assume that the comment is intended to be snide? If I overheard a driver say that, he would know that my tip had gone back into my pocket due to a comment like that to another guest.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Not that this came up, but I was talking with a friend about this who brought up an interesting point. What if I had offered him the $20 asking for change and he said he didn't have any, or only had tens? Should I just give him the $20 or say "Sorry, that's the smallest bill I have", and give nothing? That could be very uncomfortable as well.

In any case, I learned a valuable lesson - Carry small bills for tips.

 

[sam_gordon]

Have to disagree with you. I can't, under any circumstances, think of a reason that a driver would use that phrase, in this particular situation, other than to be snotty. Yes, it would be completely different if the driver said that to someone that had tipped him $5! It would have had an entirely different feel. I can say that same phrase many different ways..and one of them is the way I think that bus driver said it. The driver wasn't being charitable. I'm sure he was being sarcastic. He expected a tip..granted probably only a buck or two, but still a tip. So when he got nothing, he gave attitude to the guest who should have known better.
I'm saying that guest was in the wrong...should have planned better and been ready to tip. He wasn't. He got an attitude from the driver. Oh well. I don't think a crappy attitude is ever the answer in customer service. And yes, I've been in both retail and office situations giving customer service. The bus drivers for DME expect to be tipped for taking care of things that need to be stowed, so this driver felt stiffed. Two wrongs do not make a right. Plenty of blame to be handed out to both parties here.

You proved my point. The PHRASE can be used many different ways, most often as a compliment. "He was wrong for the comment he made" and "it's what he said that ticked me off" were both quotes from the OP. The comment the driver made wasn't bad. You even say it's an acceptable comment in another situation. If that's the case, then it's not what he said, but how he said it (or possibly when he said it).

I'm probably splitting hairs, but for a lot of what I do, you need to be exact in what you do and what you say.

 

[Lewisc]

Not that this came up, but I was talking with a friend about this who brought up an interesting point. What if I had offered him the $20 asking for change and he said he didn't have any, or only had tens? Should I just give him the $20 or say "Sorry, that's the smallest bill I have", and give nothing? That could be very uncomfortable as well.

In any case, I learned a valuable lesson - Carry small bills for tips.

$20 is the smallest bill typically dispensed by an ATM machine. I make a point to have small bills for tipping. If I was in that situation and the driver said he only had tens I'd sort of apologize and say the ATM only gave me twenties. Sorry I'm not that generous, I'll catch you next trip.

The driver stowed a couple of heavy bags. I'd either give him the twenty and take the ten or wait until he got tips from other passengers. I'd think most people tip with singles or maybe a five.

I suspect the driver could break a twenty if it was that or not getting a tip.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

We don't know the mood or the way the OP was talking to the bus driver!......was he trying to laugh it off or has being rude about it?......We cannot say, as the only sure way to know to have the driver here.

AKK

 

[kaytieeldr]

Have to disagree with you. I can't, under any circumstances, think of a reason that a driver would use that phrase, in this particular situation, other than to be snotty. Yes, it would be completely different if the driver said that to someone that had tipped him $5!

I actually can: if the guest or guests immediately ahead of sonofanarchy simply took or grabbed their luggage from the driver without saying a word (much less giving a tip), "thank you, sir, you're very kind" is just a tad more surprising than "you're welcome sir, you're very kind".

 

[sonofanarchy]

We don't know the mood or the way the OP was talking to the bus driver!......was he trying to laugh it off or has being rude about it?......We cannot say, as the only sure way to know to have the driver here.

AKK

LOL - I didn't say anything to him other than "Thank you", when he handed me the stroller.

No one on here knows me from Adam, and it doesn't matter anyways, but I can safely say, I am never rude to anyone unless they are rude to me, and even then, I usually won't be rude back.

 

[ilovemk76]

The point is, in any circumstance, unless the customer is doing something illegal or berating you, you don't give an attitude to customers. I could have spent $1 million, or $5. As a customer, you should never be insulted by the person doing their job.

So why did you bring up how much you spent?

It is possible that issuance the drive says to all the people who tip and he said it to you out of habit I know there are certain phrase I say often and once in a while I say they to the wrong person. The embarrassing ones at one that I would only say to DH but accidentally said to a male friend.

 

[sam_gordon]

So why did you bring up how much you spent?

It is possible that issuance the drive says to all the people who tip and he said it to you out of habit I know there are certain phrase I say often and once in a while I say they to the wrong person. The embarrassing ones at one that I would only say to DH but accidentally said to a male friend.

Spill the beans!

 

[sonofanarchy]

So why did you bring up how much you spent?

1.I didn't say exactly how much I spent. I just said thousands. I'd say that most of us spend that much on our Disney vacations.

2.As I said earlier in the thread, "Yeah, I don't mean to say that because I spent this much money, but more because I'm a customer.

 

[goofy4tink]

You proved my point. The PHRASE can be used many different ways, most often as a compliment. "He was wrong for the comment he made" and "it's what he said that ticked me off" were both quotes from the OP. The comment the driver made wasn't bad. You even say it's an acceptable comment in another situation. If that's the case, then it's not what he said, but how he said it (or possibly when he said it).

I'm probably splitting hairs, but for a lot of what I do, you need to be exact in what you do and what you say.

Yes, we are probably splitting hairs....! But, I can't imagine why a driver would say that if he wasn't trying to make a point. I highly doubt that the driver felt the OP truly was kind!! No, we weren't there. But I can only imagine that the driver wasn't blameless in his comments! Yes, you can say that phrase in many ways, but to what purpose would the driver say it other than in a 'negative' way?

I actually can: if the guest or guests immediately ahead of sonofanarchy simply took or grabbed their luggage from the driver without saying a word (much less giving a tip), "thank you, sir, you're very kind" is just a tad more surprising than "you're welcome sir, you're very kind".

That is the one explanation I could think of. The OP just 'thought' the driver was talking to him but he was speaking to a guest just ahead of or beside the OP. Probably not, but still a chance.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

This has really become the biggest *Tado about nothing* I have seen in a long time!

Son, I mean no disrespect, but for the love of pete..........you didn't tip the guy , he wasn't happy,,,,,,he made a off the cuff remark not was not proper, and we don't know his side.!

End of story!

AKK

 

[goofy4tink]

This has really become the biggest *Tado about nothing* I have seen in a long time!

Son, I mean no disrespect, but for the love of pete..........you didn't tip the guy , he wasn't happy,,,,,,he made a off the cuff remark not was not proper, and we don't know his side.!

End of story!

AKK

Well, there is that!!! Well said...

 

[sonofanarchy]

This has really become the biggest *Tado about nothing* I have seen in a long time!

Son, I mean no disrespect, but for the love of pete..........you didn't tip the guy , he wasn't happy,,,,,,he made a off the cuff remark not was not proper, and we don't know his side.!

End of story!

AKK

Not sure why you're blaming me. I'm not arguing with anyone. Quite the opposite. I've been agreeing with most people and admitting my bad in the situation. Others are disagreeing and dragging this out.

 

[gmeh1]

I actually can: if the guest or guests immediately ahead of sonofanarchy simply took or grabbed their luggage from the driver without saying a word (much less giving a tip), "thank you, sir, you're very kind" is just a tad more surprising than "you're welcome sir, you're very kind".

Thank you for saying that Kaytieeldr, as I have said before, I spent WAYYYY too much time watching those busses and watching the people grab and go without even looking in the driver's direction. Not even a thank you. I am assuming the OP said thank you and perhaps the driver was grateful for being acknowledged at all. Also, there is a BIG problem with language gaps down here. Most of the driver's have English as their second language and what we might misunderstand is the driver's inablility to convey what he is thinking. I had one co worker who would always say "Happy to meet you" everytime he saw me. I knew he meant "Happy to see you" and I would just smile and return the greeting.

 

[airplanegod]

I'll stick up for the OP here. IMO, it doesn't matter who signs the employees paycheck. The customer arranges the service through Disney, it's branded Disney, and if you did nothing to find out the facts, you'd be hard pressed to find 'Mears' anywhere.

I am sorry, but your logic is flawed. Let's put this into airline terms for a minute. Let's say you are flying Delta Connection operated by Expressjet and you encounter a rude FA. Saying you will never fly Delta again is flawed. While the plane/branding might be in Delta colors, the flight is operated and owned by Expressjet, a totally separate company. Same here. While it might be Disney branded and sponsored, it is owned and operated by Mears, a totally separate company from Disney. It is unfair in both situations to blame Delta and Disney because of an employee of a totally separate company, you need to take the time to do some research and find out who really is operating whatever.

 

[DOOM1001]

I felt bad I didn't have any small bills, and though I would have tipped him because I always do, he did nothing worthy of a tip. He did his job. Do we tip Disney bus drivers for tsking us to the park? Do people on scooters or wheelchairs tip Disney drivers?

There's like different levels of buses,for example buses between parks nobody tips those drivers,the Magical express buses are run by Mears and this type of shuttle is usually tipped by the riders.Just like the Busch Gardens shuttle bus I took from Orlando to Busch Gardens,it's a free service,all you need is a ticket and you have free transportation to Tampa,they in fact don't even check out if you even have a park pass.The drivers are probably making very little but the tips make up for it.I actually have a car when I go to Orlando but gas is not cheap and if I can tip a driver $10 for a free trip and avoid having to put an extra 140 miles in my car and just relax for the hour there and back,(they even put a movie on for you) why wouldn't I do that.Disney just saved you good amount of money by not having to rent a car,I understand that $20 from the airport to WDW is probably too much to tip but if that's all I had I would have sucked it up and made sure I had $10 for the trip back.I think we tipped the driver who took us from Vegas to the Grand Canyon like $40 for 3 of us,it was like a 10 hour round trip.

 

[goofy4tink]

Alrighty then. Long story short...the OP forgot to bring small bills, so no tip for the DME driver, and then said driver may, or may not, have been attitudinal when not getting tipped. Wrong on both sides. There is no winning here. No one is going to be 100% correct. With that in mind, I think we are done with this discussion...before it goes further downhill than it already has.