Pride in DVC/Disney

[rwodonnell]

Originally posted by Bottlejet
Your husband was right and you made a dangerous mistake! Report incidents. Do not attempt to enforce your morals.

IMO, this attitude is one of the reasons we see lousy behaviour in the first place. I believe that if people expected other people to call them on it when they misbehaved, they would be less likely to do so. Frankly, while it may not be so hip to think so, I think there's nothing wrong with shaming someone! I don't mean to pick on you specifically, Bottlejet, I just disagree with this philosophy.

BTW, what could be so dangerous about confronting those teens?! Reporing their behaviour would solve nothing in my opinion. And don't get me started on the "enforcing morals" thing... it used to be called "common courtesy" and now it's "enforcing my morals"?

Not like I'm an old guy, only 37, but "in my day...."

 

[AEN]

Thank you all for the comments. It still remains in my mind the audacity of letting their child commit something so vile. Dbond's comment that they saw the same thing at MK is unbelievable.

Crissup, thank you for they hearty laugh. By the way, where is Rich's room. I like that thought..

I have seen many people lounge in the fountains and on the grass.

 

[Bottlejet]

Originally posted by rwodonnell
IMO, this attitude is one of the reasons we see lousy behaviour in the first place. I believe that if people expected other people to call them on it when they misbehaved, they would be less likely to do so. Frankly, while it may not be so hip to think so, I think there's nothing wrong with shaming someone! I don't mean to pick on you specifically, Bottlejet, I just disagree with this philosophy.

BTW, what could be so dangerous about confronting those teens?! Reporing their behaviour would solve nothing in my opinion. And don't get me started on the "enforcing morals" thing... it used to be called "common courtesy" and now it's "enforcing my morals"?

Not like I'm an old guy, only 37, but "in my day...."

I just hope you are prepared to defend yourself and your loved ones if one or more of the teens decides to get physical. I know I am prepared.

 

[Scrufsmom]

Very interesting. We are what our parents have made us and our children are what we have made them. They can only learn from examples. Last year we were at Blizzard Beach with my DD who is 7yo and we were witnessed to teens "cutting in line". Actually, they cut by us and about 50 other people. Finally a couple of men stopped two of the girls and forbid them to go further. Well, they began to harrass them, control them by touching them and holding them back. Profanity was used due to their anger. All this in front of my child! My husband and I were appalled, but didn't want to interfere because these guys had crossed the line and who knows how it was going to end up. Instead of shying off the incident to my daughter we used it as a learning experience. She is a smart enought kid to know right and wrong. There are times that you should step in and times when you should just not get involved.

On another note.....Has anyone every noticed that Disney doesn't sell Chewing Gum? We went into our hotel lobby store to get some and was told that no gum is sold on Disney ground. People chew it and leave it on the ground instead of placing it in the garbage. How's that one?!

 

[rwodonnell]

Originally posted by Scrufsmom
There are times that you should step in and times when you should just not get involved.

I agree completely, and didn't mean to imply otherwise. I also obviously disagree with the tactics of the men (getting physical or using profanity) you mentioned - I would simply state to the person(s) they were being incredibly rude and hope the shame worked. It's not like I run into these situations much, but from my experience the few times I have, a simple statement like that to the disrupters was all it took. But then again, maybe they were afraid of my unshaven, maniacal appearance.

 

[SamSam]

rwodonnell, I have to agree that by ignoring rude/unacceptable behavior we almost encourage it. I am often appalled by the lanquage of 'younger people' who truly don't seem to realize that they are out of line. I realize that when you 'call' a young person on inappropriate behavior that they may respond rudely; but SO WHAT! By never saying anything, they think their behavior is 'okay'.

 

[PamOKW]

Scrufsmom -- I hadn't noticed the chewing gum not being sold at WDW. Quite a few years ago, I ran into the same thing at the Tampa Airport. The only time I chew gum is on a plane and when I went to get some I was told they don't sell it either....for the same reason you cited. They don't want to mess up the terminal.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

My problem is with smokers who toss their "butts" wherever they happen to finish with them (usually it's out of the car window-can't do much about that). I have been known to tap them on the shoulder and say, "Excuse me, you dropped something back there." If they pick it up, fine. If not, fine. But at least they know that someone saw them (not that they care anyway-if they did, they wouldn't have thrown it down in the first place). IMO, smokers tend to be the worst offenders when it comes to litter.

I'd have to completely agree with this. I have personally picked up thousands and thousands of "butts". I'm amazed at the littering smokers incur and certainly could not ever defend smokers littering to the huge extent that I have witnessed with any "others litter too" cognative dissonance rational.

 

[eva]

We had an incident happen on our last trip in May on the Kali Rapids ride. DH, my sister, her husband, myself were walking down through the line on the pathway that leads to the ride and about 30 or more teenagers along with their adult chaperones went running past us in line. We didn't think it was too courteous but didn't say a thing. Well we thought that all of them had run past and I moved back over to the edge of the line. Just as I did my foot accidently trip one of the boys that was running past us. The kid didn't fall down but he did stumble a bit. I apologized profusely, but when we caught up with the teens in line they started calling me B**** and such words. My husband was furious and I felt really horrible. I just wanted to leave. Unfortunately the kids picked on me at the wrong time because my BIL is an army Master Sergeant is 6'4" tall and weighs about 225, all muscle. I didn't hear exactly what was said to them when he and my husband went and talked to the kids and their chaperones, but believe me the entire group was completely silent during the 20 minute wait for the ride. If it had been just my husband and myself I'm sure we would have just left.

 

[anniet]

I think each situation like these require a judgement call.

I've made comments like "I'm sorry, but we were next in line" or whispered to a stranger "Excuse me, but would you mind not using that language so loud with my young niece around? Thanks!" with a smile and as others have said, usually the shame of it makes them realize the error of their ways.

Luckily I haven't encountered trash in the hallway at DVC but if I did once I might let it slide. They could have put it outside the door to take with them on their way out and may be getting ready to leave. Not that I think that is okay, but I have a neighbor where I live that does this and while it drives me nuts, I know it's going to be gone in an hour or so. If the trash remains there for more than a few hours, however I would either slip a note under or leave one on the door.

Now if it were Hell's Angels day in the Magic Kingdom and they all kept pushing past me in line and swearing, I'd probably either live with it or leave and go to EPCOT!

 

[MaryJ]

While this didn't happen at WDW, I thought this story could be shared here. Several years ago, DH, DD's and I were vacationing in Colorado. We were at an attraction that had a huge three story slide. A little boy (about 8-10) kept grabbing his sliding mat and running up to the top of the slide, cutting in front of everyone else in line. Our family was about three people from the top, when here he came again. DH stopped him and said "When I get to the bottom of the slide, I'm going to find your parents and tell them what you've been doing." Of course, we didn't have any idea who his parents were, but he took his mat and went to the end of the line!

 

[PamOKW]

It's hard to judge people. One time we were waiting for Illuminations and I had found a spot where my parents could lean a bit on a wall. They were in their 70's and my Dad was undergoing chemo treatments. We were waiting in the area for about a half-hour and, as often happens, just before the show was to start a "normal" guy came and stood right in front of my Dad. By this time, the area was very crowded and there was no where to move. He then put his son up on his shoulders, completely blocking the view and trapping us into a "hole". I told him we had been waiting and that we now couldn't see. His reply, "Tough" move somewhere else which quickly escalated into him screaming at me and telling me how important he was. I finally got through to him that there was nowhere to move and that I had two elderly people he grumbled a half apology. I really thought he was going to get physical when I first asked him to move. A real yuppie, probably president of the Chamber of Commerce, who went "off" very easily. You just can never tell.

 

[okwmember92]

I have encountered kids rushing the line a couple of times at MK.
Once at Small World with my dh, ds was 4 DM, and DF. A group of 10-12 kids pushed past everyone and I in my 5'1" mouth said to them they needed to get to the back like everyone else. They used quite offensive language back at me the rest of the way. My DF was ready to pounce on them, while my DH quietly stood there, but as soon as we got up close to a CM, my DH told him of the incident and pointed out the group. After the group boarded their boat the CM stood on the front of the boat that he was alerting the entire park of their pushing in line and the next time a CM found out about it they would be escorted from the park. We were a boat or two behind them and after exiting the ride found them all sitting & sulking on the fountain outside, their demeanor definitely changed. DH felt smug and I was vindicated.

A different time standing in line at Splash Mtn some taller teen girls came up pushing, to which I responded that they were not getting past me and would wait like everyone else. The girlfriend who was with me was dying that I said anything and tapped the guy in front of us to get him to help us out. No need the girls stayed behind us and just mumbled as they waited, it didnt bother me that they were unhappy, as long as I was in front of them.

I agree we should speak up, but probably not as confrontational as I usually can be. My husband's approach was much more effective, when I grow up I'm going to be just like him

Kim

 

[rwodonnell]

Originally posted by okwmember92
After the group boarded their boat the CM stood on the front of the boat that he was alerting the entire park of their pushing in line and the next time a CM found out about it they would be escorted from the park.

This is really nice to know, and makes me question my initial assumption that nothing can come of telling a cast member. Thanks for the story.

 

[roadtripper]

As a high school teacher, I am used to correcting students for their language. In public with my kids, I can't help but do the same. Usually, I'll say something like "Hey guys, small kids here" which conveys the idea that OF COURSE they wouldn't be speaking like that if they had seen my children. IMHO, teenagers count on adults in public places to be afraid of them, to keep quiet and let them continue to use bad language and show off. I have never had kids confront me or continue to swear (at least loudly) after I have spoken to them. The key is the underlying assumption that you KNOW they're capable of better behavior. Now, approaching people illegally parked in handicapped spaces is a whole other story---- and not a pretty one. One battle at a time, I guess...

 

[zurgswife]

We were getting on test track last week and in the fastpass line....There was a large group in Epcot that day ...varying ages...well as we turned the first corner in the fast pass line this group of young girls 10-12 came running up and the lead girl started to cut under the metal bars to get in front of us....I pointed at her and said they have bars there for a reason and that she had better crawl back through and get back in line....she sulked backwards as we passed....She was directly behind us the rest of the boarding process...2 adults did join the girls....but it was obvious she didn't want to have any eye contact with me the remainder of the time in line...

 

[KNWVIKING]

We stayed at VWL with a car in 2001. Every nite,coming into the parking lot,there was a Disney landscaping truck parking in TWO spaces just about as close to the handicap spots as possible. There were tons of spots further down the lot and it iritated me that employees would take up prime spots. I left a fairly sarcastic note on the windshield and was pleasantly surprised to discover the truck parked at the end of the lot during the rest of our stay. Stayed again last Dec,still parked at the end

We travel to WDW in offseason times so we don't get a full dose of rowdy teen gangs which I'm very thankfull for cause I'd probably wind up in jail or the hospital. I won't ever go to a local Six Flaggs again. I avoid malls on weekends,certain malls entirely. But it's hard to get angry with the kids when it's the parents fault. I was no angel as a kid,but I was never disrespectfull and I think that's where parents are failing today.This may sound snobbish, but because of the cost of a Disney vacation I expect a better class of people to be there.

We will spend July 4th week at WDW. This will be my first experience with the gonzo summertime crowds. I think I'll need a lot of prayer that week.

 

[nezy]

It is unfortunate that there are many rude people. I agree w several of the posters here that it is a judgement call as to when to say something. As a teacher as well,(Roadtripper) I have no problem saying something to children, teens included, who should be behaving more appropriately. I do not come on strong-"more flies w/honey" and all. I simply point out that there ARE kids present and to please "watch the language".

It must be something about the Kali River ride because upon leaving the ride last year and stopping for a chance to push the "spray" button, a fine young gentleman(maybe 7yrs. old) from England flipped my DH the Brit version of "the Bird" when my DH asked if my 4 yr. old son could push the button. DH was familiar w/ the sign and offered it right back. The boys parents, although witness to this all, pretended they did not know him!

Andrea-Welcome Home!!
I too always pick up when I see things. Pride of ownership!

 

[Crissup]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
This may sound snobbish, but because of the cost of a Disney vacation I expect a better class of people to be there.

Next thing you know, they're even gonna have people who live in trailers vacationing at WDW!!

 

[anniet]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
This may sound snobbish, but because of the cost of a Disney vacation I expect a better class of people to be there.

With all due respect, I don't think money is indicitive of good manners. I have a friend who is a high school teacher and when she first began teaching it was in a very wealthy community that she grew up in. She said the kids were uncontrollable and when she tried to discipline them they would tell her that their parents taxes paid her salary and that they would go to the school board and have her fired.

After she got married she moved to another town in our state where the families are mostly blue collar and she said she cannot believe the difference in the kids behavior. She said some kids act up but it was nothing like her first teaching job. She and her husband decided to buy a house and raise their family in that community.

I think any class of teenagers/children can behave badly, if the parents allow it.