Pretty shocking comments from a CM at Epcot

[Hopalong]

The comments were made to your husband. If he wants something done then he should report the behavior himself. If he wants you to drop it and forget about it then you should probably honor his wishes. My two cents.

If this were a normal CM that was meant to interact with guests then I would be more apt to say report it but this was a guy who gets paid to sweep the sidewalk and clean the toilets not to exchange niceties with Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

I assume that your husband struck up a conversation with the CM and not the other way around. I'm the same way. When I went to the Guggenheim I spent most of my time there BS'ing with the elderly security guard while everyone else stared at dead flies on canvas. I wouldn't have treated any untoward comments from him the same way I would have if it came from an employee whose job it was to actually interact with the guests.

I understand that there is a big difference between the Guggenheim and WDW but I think that the anecdote helps to explain my point better.

 

[walkdmc]

Either the CM had a problem with his mentation or he completely misread your DH's signals. Everyone has prejudices against some group, it's human. I agree one should not share these prejudice thoughts with a stranger and that's where I think the CM had some problem.

We weren't there to know how your DH responded, so how can we judge the inappropriateness of the comments?

Anyway, even at Disney, life ain't all sunshine and rainbows.

 

[fla4fun]

If you hate everyone equally then your okay

When I was at WDW in December, I saw a guy wearing a t-shirt that said "I Hate Everyone", so I guess he was OK.

You know, there used to be topics considered OK to discuss anywhere, like the weather, and topics that shouldn't be discussed, like politics and religion. I feel that is true in a work setting, no matter where you work. There are just some topics, no matter what your view on them, that that it's better not to discuss in the workplace with customers or other employees.

 

[brdlyleon]

I've actually only gotten ONE rude comment and it just happened to have been in EPCOT too! I was there for my bday with 2 other friends and one of them was generous enough to have gotten me one of those yellow "loud" mickey ears hat that says happy bday and has the little hat attached to it. Well we walked over to the ice cream bar next to the duffy and the CM gives me the nastiest look. She went on to comment about the hat, how ridiculous i looked, and how I was too old for it all (i just turned 19) We were shocked at her comments but didnt think to much about it because nothing was ruining my day! Now that I think about it though it was rather rude of her...where did she think we were, universal?

 

[AnthonyJPreston]

I'd report it......
I hate it when a cast member is being...... Un-cast member like?

I mean, we are all human, not blaming him for that but wether your husband instigated the conversation or not, the cast member is by no means allowed to say anything remotely close to what you mentioned here.

Understanding your husbands point of view, not making a big deal of it when you are there, i'd take the time out now though to send an e-mail to Disney.

If he was open enough to say those things to your husband, he's probably done it before and will do it again.... What if he does it to a first timer? Gives that person a bad taste for Disney...... Definitely ruins the magic.

I carry around a small notepad and write down the names of cast members doing a great job, and sometimes, if it's really bad, (i'd consider this situation worthy for a write up). And submit them when I get home.

That's just me though.

 

[bytheblood]

Frankly, I don't begrudge the CM's having an opinion, I just think it's wildly inappropriate to share that opinion with a customer. Keep your views to yourself when you are on the job. A customer service associate is there to serve the customer, not convert them.

I am not disagreeing with you on that point. As a matter of fact, I wholeheartedly agree. My comment, as I noted, was a general comment to the entire thread, not the CM's actions.

 

[cm8]

I've actually only gotten ONE rude comment and it just happened to have been in EPCOT too! I was there for my bday with 2 other friends and one of them was generous enough to have gotten me one of those yellow "loud" mickey ears hat that says happy bday and has the little hat attached to it. Well we walked over to the ice cream bar next to the duffy and the CM gives me the nastiest look. She went on to comment about the hat, how ridiculous i looked, and how I was too old for it all (i just turned 19) We were shocked at her comments but didnt think to much about it because nothing was ruining my day! Now that I think about it though it was rather rude of her...where did she think we were, universal?

That doesn't ever happen at Universal
___________________________________

 

[Jblust524]

I moved from the West Coast to the South about three years ago and the one thing that I have noticed is that people down here are much more open about their racism/intolerance. I have met homophobes and racists of every color and creed down here and it still gets me very angry when somebody thinks it's okay to lay that kind of vile opinion on me. I'm betting the guy you two met was within that group of people.

EDIT: I do not mean ALL Southerners. Please use some common sense.

Wow, very intolerant of differing viewpoints. This is intolerant of tolerance.

 

[Hopalong]

I wouldn't get too worked up over the "Southerner" stereotype that is being trotted out in this thread. "The South" will always exist as the national scapegoat. It is convenient for some people to point at the south and declare, "They are the racists, Not us!!" even though the southeastern US is probably the most ethnically diverse major region in the nation. If it makes some people feel better about themselves to create a boogeyman then so be it, I won't lose any sleep over it.

I just laugh at the irony of labeling millions of people as apt to stereotype others.

 

[TandLMommy28]

In defense of the person who has said southerners are more open about their racism, I think you have to move from a place like the North or West Coast to understand what she was saying. A lot of people in the south just don't have a problem telling you that they are racist. When I first moved from New England to the FL/Alabama, line I was quite shocked... I remember going to walmart with a good friend who I met at CHURCH of all places and we had an issue with getting something scanned properly. After we walked out, my southern friend said without hesitation and will all seriousness, "That happened because she's *insert race*. If she had been *insert another race* that would not have happened." My west coast friend and I nearly fainted right there in the parking lot. And yes, not ALL southerners are that way, for sure! But it is far more common in the south to hear people just come right out and say what they are thinking on these issues.

 

[Hopalong]

In defense of the person who has said southerners are more open about their racism, I think you have to move from a place like the North or West Coast to understand what she was saying. A lot of people in the south just don't have a problem telling you that they are racist. When I first moved from New England to the FL/Alabama, line I was quite shocked... I remember going to walmart with a good friend who I met at CHURCH of all places and we had an issue with getting something scanned properly. After we walked out, my southern friend said without hesitation and will all seriousness, "That happened because she's *insert race*. If she had been *insert another race* that would not have happened." My west coast friend and I nearly fainted right there in the parking lot. And yes, not ALL southerners are that way, for sure! But it is far more common in the south to hear people just come right out and say what they are thinking on these issues.

Well, that's the thing. Everyone's experiences differ and cannot be applied to entire swaths of people. Personally, my mother was from the South and my father was from the North so I've experienced both cultures and have family in both. I've heard more openly racist comments while in NJ than I have in TN but that does not mean that people in NJ are more apt to be racist than people in TN. It just means that those are my own personal experiences and to generalize those experiences and label an entire group of people would be bigoted.

Likewise, your experience means that you have a racist friend, not that racism is more prominent in the South.

 

[Praise2Him]

A general comment for this entire thread: I always find it so comical that people are considered prejudice, homophobes, intolerant, etc when they disagree with a lifestyle. I am not perfect, but believe in every word of the Holy Bible. So if I disagree with "religion" and "lifestyles", people like me are considered prejudice, homophobes, intolerant, yet the people who feel this way about me/people like me are considered loving good people. And we wonder what is wrong with our country.

Agree!

I wouldn't get too worked up over the "Southerner" stereotype that is being trotted out in this thread. "The South" will always exist as the national scapegoat. It is convenient for some people to point at the south and declare, "They are the racists, Not us!!" even though the southeastern US is probably the most ethnically diverse major region in the nation.

Yep

 

[JacksLilWench]

Having read all the other replies in this thread, it reminds me of a line from an Austin Powers movie:

"There's only two things in this world I can't stand- people who are intolerant of other peoples' cultures...and the Dutch."

(Please don't flame me, just trying to lighten the mood! )

 

[ChrisCatino]

Here’s the thing…I am an African American and I am also Gay. I am married and have twin boys. My husband is white. I would be naive to think everyone is tolerant of our family. And to be honest it is ok not to be tolerant. What is not ok, as a CM is to express your personal opinion. Save it for when you are off the clock.

 

[Love Tink]

A general comment for this entire thread: I always find it so comical that people are considered prejudice, homophobes, intolerant, etc when they disagree with a lifestyle. I am not perfect, but believe in every word of the Holy Bible. So if I disagree with "religion" and "lifestyles", people like me are considered prejudice, homophobes, intolerant, yet the people who feel this way about me/people like me are considered loving good people. And we wonder what is wrong with our country.

You are prejudiced and you are intolerant.

You are prejudiced and intolerant in ways that you consider worthy, and that you have your own reasons for being. But that doesn't mean you aren't prejudiced and intolerant. (Look up the definitions of the words if you disagree.)

If you don't like someone simply because of who he dates, and that colors the way you see him...guess what, you are prejudiced. And if your prejudice makes you judge that person and find him unworthy of your respect....guess what, you are intolerant.

Your reasons for judging others are your own, but the fact is you ARE judging. Just because you don't like these terms doesn't mean they aren't accurate.

We all have the right, in this country, to be as prejudiced and intolerant as we want. But, my goodness, OWN IT.

 

[csjordan]

I moved from the West Coast to the South about three years ago and the one thing that I have noticed is that people down here are much more open about their racism/intolerance. I have met homophobes and racists of every color and creed down here and it still gets me very angry when somebody thinks it's okay to lay that kind of vile opinion on me. I'm betting the guy you two met was within that group of people.

EDIT: I do not mean ALL Southerners. Please use some common sense.

Freedom of Speech...BTW, if one is not happy living in a certain area, one is always welcome to go back...

 

[bytheblood]

You are prejudiced and you are intolerant.

You are prejudiced and intolerant in ways that you consider worthy, and that you have your own reasons for being. But that doesn't mean you aren't prejudiced and intolerant. (Look up the definitions of the words if you disagree.)

If you don't like someone simply because of who he dates, and that colors the way you see him...guess what, you are prejudiced. And if your prejudice makes you judge that person and find him unworthy of your respect....guess what, you are intolerant.

Your reasons for judging others are your own, but the fact is you ARE judging. Just because you don't like these terms doesn't mean they aren't accurate.

We all have the right, in this country, to be as prejudiced and intolerant as we want. But, my goodness, OWN IT.

What an uneducated and sad remark. Disagreeing does not mean dislike. If you consider the two the same, you are sadly mistaken. (Look up the definitions of the two words if you disagree.)

I feel sorry for people who think like you do. It honestly is very heart-breaking.

 

[Megan_J]

Freedom of Speech...BTW, if one is not happy living in a certain area, one is always welcome to go back...

Wow. When did I say that I was unhappy living here? I just stated that I have witnessed more racism/homophobia here than I did in California, Oregon and Washington states. I don't have to go anywhere thank you very much. In fact there is beginning to be an influx of people from elsewhere moving here which is making this particular area more liberal and tolerant. Slowly but surely the attitudes of some of the people here are going to change because they will become exposed to more tolerant attitudes.

 

[Love Tink]

What an uneducated and sad remark. Disagreeing does not mean dislike. If you consider the two the same, you are sadly mistaken. (Look up the definitions of the two words if you disagree.)

I feel sorry for people who think like you do. It honestly is very heart-breaking.

Actually, I assumed you meant "dislike" when you said "disagree." Because you can't "disagree" with a religion or a lifestyle.

Because disagreement requires two parties - two sides to have a dispute, conflict or argument with each other.

You can't "disagree" with something that doesn't have thoughts or opinions.

Anyway, semantics out of the way - you are saying you "disagree" (or have a conflict with) other people's lifestyles and religions - but you aren't judging them or disliking them. Well......that's a neat trick.

I'm sorry I broke your heart by calling you on your hypocrisy.

 

[stargazertechie]

Actually, I assumed you meant "dislike" when you said "disagree." Because you can't "disagree" with a religion or a lifestyle.

Because disagreement requires two parties - two sides to have a dispute, conflict or argument with each other.

You can't "disagree" with something that doesn't have thoughts or opinions.

Anyway, semantics out of the way - you are saying you "disagree" (or have a conflict with) other people's lifestyles and religions - but you aren't judging them or disliking them. Well......that's a neat trick.

I'm sorry I broke your heart by calling you on your hypocrisy.

Actually, one can "disagree" with something that doesn't have independent thought. You can disagree with something because it goes against one's own moral code.