I hope that no one thinks that the majority of guests at Disney are like this. I can honestly say that the vast majority of guests are wonderful. They are caught up in the magic, having a good time, herding their kids, and a joy to experience. Some ask questions; some don't; some interact with CMs; some don't - no big deal.
I also wouldn't take these pearls-of wisdom as complaints. They are part of being a CM and are discussed more in "humor" than in anger. When push comes to shoove, the CMs are aware that guests often can't see the information signs as thye can get lost in the magic of the theming. Some guests simply use the "do you work here" as an ice-breaker before asking a question.
As for the "3 and 3," as the OP stated it had been a bad day, but I also know that being told a "3 and 3" hardly gets a CM riled. To put it in the CM's perspective, when a guest says "3 and 3" there are typically two reasons- they are trying to be helpful (which is great) or they are insisting that they be loaded 3 to a seat. If one's attraction loads 4 across, a party of 6 is usually split 4 and 2- which allows another party of 2 to fill the seats. Granted the single, stand by has helped this a bit, but if you have just been warned that the attraction is running behind its quota and the pace needs to increase, a "3 and 3" can mean a potential "situation" if you ask if they can sit 4 and 2. If, on the other hand, the guest says "Six but we'd like 3 and 3 if possible," the CM will usually do what they can to adjust the seating, play the statistics, and accomodate.
You are perfectly right about the "bravado" and believing that most of the "what I told the guy was...." probably never happen. If pressed to tell what they really said the response is usually "Yes, Sir, How can I help you... but I wanted to say...." Sometimes CMs will say something off-the wall (with a very big grin and only to appropriate guests) like "no, my mother just dressed me like this morning <grin> How can I hlep you?" Corny yes, but have you even listened to most of the Disney humor? After 35 years I can still recite the spiels: the jokes were as corny then as they are now
I have to agree that much of the "Sign" thread was lame. Never read the book and had no idea what they were talking about. As someone said, different strokes. But, IMHO, these attempts were not necessarily any more un-clever or un-original humor as some adults' humor.... can anyone say Hanname?
Sorry for the long post - I will shut up now
... To me the few posts I read were just downright depressing and sad
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