Unreasonable guests

[Tonka's Skipper]

Ok well... I'm gonna throw this out there. While I absolutely don't agree with anyone ranting at a CM, there's a facet to this that hasn't been brought up yet.

We have no idea how the doctor put things across to this lady. We've discussed it before on these boards but it hasn't been brought up in awhile. Lots of doctors have heard of GACs or similar programs and think they're helping by giving notes or think they understand how the programs work. Doctors are used to having their orders followed remember? So for the sake of argument, doctors could be giving these notes out and telling their patients about the programs but giving them the wrong information therefore creating a false picture that, unless the patient does further research on, they have no reason to question since Dr Doofenschmertz told them about it. Then going on the assumption that the dear doctor was correct they plan around the wrong information and don't understand when Disney tells them how things really are.

Everything you said is correct...........but a normal, reasonable guest should realize when told, that the doctor was in error and does not have the right to rant and yell and demand anything!

If the CM is giving out GAC's to people, why would they decide that that person should not get the one they need?..why would they tell them there is no GAC with front of the line rights if it wasn't true!


IMHO, the person that rants and yells knows they are wrong and is trying to pull a fast one! yes simply a entitlementitus!


AKK

 

[clanmcculloch]

I want to put something else out there. Not all CMs are created equal and yes there are some that act as though we're trying to cheat when using our GAC and will argue. It happens to me almost every time at Monster's Inc Laugh Floor. I'm not sure why CMs seem to think that we're trying to skip the line. We're typically there when we'll get in the next show even if we're in the regular line (I swear by detailed touring plans). I almost every time have to explain about DD15 not being able to wait in the mob area and that I totally understand that we'll get the worst seats in the house (gotta move to the end of the row and we go in with the first group so that means worst view) but it's a matter of this or not going in at all. Usually that's enough for the CMs to see that we really do understand what we need and that it's a legitimate need. We've had CMs argue with us and one or two times the tone and body language that we've been confronted with made me get upset and probably a bit hostile (I know, I should have asked for a manager but I was upset and reacting in the moment). If you heard me talking with the CMs at that point, you would have probably thought I was just some scammer trying to get away with something as well.

I think we all need to remember that we're just seeing and hearing one moment in a person's day and even life. We have no way of knowing what led up to that moment.

 

[North of Mouse]

I want to put something else out there. Not all CMs are created equal and yes there are some that act as though we're trying to cheat when using our GAC and will argue. It happens to me almost every time at Monster's Inc Laugh Floor. I'm not sure why CMs seem to think that we're trying to skip the line. We're typically there when we'll get in the next show even if we're in the regular line (I swear by detailed touring plans). I almost every time have to explain about DD15 not being able to wait in the mob area and that I totally understand that we'll get the worst seats in the house (gotta move to the end of the row and we go in with the first group so that means worst view) but it's a matter of this or not going in at all. Usually that's enough for the CMs to see that we really do understand what we need and that it's a legitimate need. We've had CMs argue with us and one or two times the tone and body language that we've been confronted with made me get upset and probably a bit hostile (I know, I should have asked for a manager but I was upset and reacting in the moment). If you heard me talking with the CMs at that point, you would have probably thought I was just some scammer trying to get away with something as well.

I think we all need to remember that we're just seeing and hearing one moment in a person's day and even life. We have no way of knowing what led up to that moment.

I can see and understand your frustrations, but, even so, there is *no* circumstances where a CM should have to take verbal abuse from anyone. What if they too, being human also, were to react back in the same manner?
It's called self control, no matter. There would be a time and place to vent if something was out of line, *not* in front of everybody.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I absolutely agree that there's never any excuse for verbal abuse. This is true for guests and CMs as well anybody even outside of WDW. I have definitely heard my share of abusive guests unfortunately and I really feel for the CMs who have to deal with them. It's never right.

In my situation that I described, I was nowhere near verbally abusive but I was definitely testy and leaning towards hostile (not once did I do any kind of name calling, put downs, insults or even insinuate insults despite the insulting way the CM was talking to me; it was more about my own tone of voice demonstrating hostility on my part) and yes I know I shouldn't have let it get that far but again, I was also on the receiving end of some nastiness being directed my way and I let my temper get the best of me. Being treated like dirt by a CM in front of my children as well as everybody around is not ok and I got upset. Yes, hindsight is 20/20 and I should ended the conversation and asked for a manager.

 

[buffettgirl]

Have you never been behind someone in line and have NO choice but to listen to their rantings? You seem to think people wait around and enjoy all the things spewed with such venom toward poor hapless CMs. Sheesh

No, but people sure enjoy talking about it here.

It's a pointless conversation and just reinforces the typical story that either plenty of people are fakers or there are CMs who are evil.

Neither seems to be productive.

 

[North of Mouse]

No, but people sure enjoy talking about it here.

It's a pointless conversation and just reinforces the typical story that either plenty of people are fakers or there are CMs who are evil.

Neither seems to be productive.

Truth is truth!

There are a lot of threads on the Dis that are not *productive* in the sense you are speaking of, but it doesn't mean we don't experience some of these things.

This had nothing to do with *real* vs. *fake* needs for a GAC. The OP was speaking of a person with *unreal* expectations being very nasty/belligerent to a CM. This happens with/without GACs (just happened to concern a GAC).

I've also been in line behind the same type person acting the same way to a CM because their little *snowflake* was being denied getting on a ride with height restrictions - about an inch too short. Both instances they were *way* out of line.

 

[clanmcculloch]

No, but people sure enjoy talking about it here.

It's a pointless conversation and just reinforces the typical story that either plenty of people are fakers or there are CMs who are evil.

Neither seems to be productive.

For me, there's a different point to this conversation. Don't judge people based on a snippet of a conversation you happen to overhear and realize that you don't know the whole story of situations that you happen to catch just a glimpse of. I don't see how that's pointless.

Of course we're all free to take from a conversation what we want. That's what I see in this conversation.

 

[North of Mouse]

For me, there's a different point to this conversation. Don't judge people based on a snippet of a conversation you happen to overhear and realize that you don't know the whole story of situations that you happen to catch just a glimpse of. I don't see how that's pointless.

Of course we're all free to take from a conversation what we want. That's what I see in this conversation.

From what the OP said (which is all we know) it wasn't a snippet of conversation, but seemed pretty plain that the woman was wanting/demanding a lot more that a GAC (she was given that with no problem) She was a rude *self entitled* person.

Really not the same situation as yours - all you wanted was what your GAC entitled you too, *not* beyond and above.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Oh, I get what you're saying. I'm choosing to see further benefit to the conversation as a whole rather than just looking at the original post. LockShockBarrel and KPeevler both brought up very good points about how that conversation could have possibly been influenced by a very poorly informed doctor who set very bad expectations. For all we know, maybe the doctor told this person to fight for her rights, argue if she doesn't get a front of the line pass, etc. Yes, there are many people with horrible a sense of entitlement. OP described somebody who definitely seems to fit that description. I'm not saying that's what happened, I'm just trying to make the point that we just don't know what's going on outside the conversation we've overheard when we witness things like this.

Yes, I like my rose coloured glasses just fine, thank you very much. Look, I get it. I've encountered plenty of these kinds of people in my time. Because I have a temper as well as a rather sharp tongue, I put forth great effort to try to perceive things in the most positive way I can and to let everything else roll off my back. I think you've probably been able to pick up on the fact that I tend to personalize and remember things that do tick me off.

All that being said, I do agree with you that there's NEVER any reason to berate, insult, or otherwise verbally abuse anybody. This is true even if you are on the right side of an arguement/discussion.

 

[buffettgirl]

For me, there's a different point to this conversation. Don't judge people based on a snippet of a conversation you happen to overhear and realize that you don't know the whole story of situations that you happen to catch just a glimpse of. I don't see how that's pointless.

Of course we're all free to take from a conversation what we want. That's what I see in this conversation.

OH totally, that would be fine if that's what was going on here, but I don't think that's what people are saying. People ARE judging what was happening even though they may not have known the full situation.

the point I want to take: we all have issues going on. It sucks to be judged.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I do believe I said in the very first part of my post that I don't agree with how the woman in OP's story reacted and that it's never ok to rant at someone trying to do their job.

And there are times you have to stand up for what you know to be correct (as opposed to what you think is correct). The story I've used before to illustrate that is a CM trying to turn the service dog I was with away from SSE in a nasty way saying he absolutely wasn't allowed on the ride. She was wrong and we got on the ride. I was never rude or nasty back to her, just firm and had she not backed down I would have asked for a manager or area supervisor.

But that's not what happened in OP's story and what that woman did was wrong. I just offered what I said in my other post to point out another possibility. We all know that Disney is a high stress place whether anyone wants to admit it or not. It's not a hang out on the beach type of vacation and it takes lots of work and planning and I can only imagine the frustration that some people have gone through when someone they trust tells them things are one way and they plan for that and they end up being another.

As a side note, this whole judging thing? Yeah it sucks to be judged but it happens all day every day and you can't avoid it. I don't mean just about disabilities or issues, I mean about everything. You can't stop it from happening. When you're treated a different way because of it, that's when you do something about it. This woman wasn't being treated in any different way, she was incorrect and couldn't handle it. You can't go through life saying "Oh well maybe that person has an issue/reason" for everything. "That man broke into my car...but he probably had to feed his family", "That woman smells awful, she must have lost her sense of smell!", "That kid is keying my car, he probably just needs more creative outlets at home". It gets ridiculous. People that argue they're sick about being judged would do well to familiarize themselves with a RuPaul quote, "What other people think about you is none of your business." You internalize it and make it an issue for yourself when you could just let it go and move on. Again, if you're being treated differently that's a different story but if someone wants to get mad at you for being fat/white/black/gay/rich/poor/blonde/man/woman/pink with orange polka dots, who cares? They're the one with the problem, not you.

Now where's that off the soapbox emoticon......

 

[daveyk]

Thankfully I never worked in Guest Relations, but I know several people who did. They all have the stories about *those* guests who carry on and they are expected to just smile and be polite....

But even working in the Emporium, I did encounter a few over time who were, well, rude. Its always a surprise, but you just smile and nod, and listen - and then try and help...you can always ask a lead or supervisor to step in, or direct them to Guest Relations for more help.

And then you go in the back and kick a box of bend a friends ear about the experience you just had.

 

[Jacquie668]

No, but people sure enjoy talking about it here.

It's a pointless conversation and just reinforces the typical story that either plenty of people are fakers or there are CMs who are evil.

Neither seems to be productive.

If you feel it isn't productive you have a choice to just move on to other topics that are more to your liking. People are allowed to discuss a topic they find of interest. If I see a thread I don't want to participate in I just move on.

As for the situation the OP witnessed while waiting to get a birthday button (i believe that was what it was, if not my bad) I have seen similar incidents when someone is obviously in the wrong and simply cannot handle being told NO or being corrected. Just like road rage, there is line rage, being told no rage, being corrected rage, theme park rage, ...the list goes on and on.

Though to be fair, we all have had those moments were we were not at our best and worse is when those moments happen in public. The person freaking out could have been having the worst day ever, but seriously I don't put up with abusive behavior period. I've had my share of people who feel that if you are working you are "working for them" and will use that to abuse. It may not be intentional and I do remember that when situations arise, but I'm quick to put someone in their place if I feel they are crossing a line. By that I mean in a firm, but polite way though. No need to add more negativity to the situation.

 

[buffettgirl]

If you feel it isn't productive you have a choice to just move on to other topics that are more to your liking. People are allowed to discuss a topic they find of interest. If I see a thread I don't want to participate in I just move on.

gee, thanks for telling me that.

Frankly, the disabilities board has always been the one place on the disboards where you could always find productive threads. I'm really surprised this one is still open because it does absolutely zero to further the needs of anyone with a disability.

 

[stitchlovestink]

If you feel it isn't productive you have a choice to just move on to other topics that are more to your liking. People are allowed to discuss a topic they find of interest. If I see a thread I don't want to participate in I just move on.

gee, thanks for telling me that.

Frankly, the disabilities board has always been the one place on the disboards where you could always find productive threads. I'm really surprised this one is still open because it does absolutely zero to further the needs of anyone with a disability.

\

TOTALLY AGREE with you buffettgirl!!
There are always TWO sides to a story and who knows if the OP isn't exaggeratting their story for dramatic effect?? I mean really, what was the point to this thread on the Disabilities forum? Just wondering this myself??

Like others have already pointed out...
(general) You don't know what the Dr told them..
(general) You don't know what the needs really were, as in they weren't necessarily 'fakers'
That person could've been having one of their worst days ever
Why did the OP feel the need to worry about someone else's business?

I don't agree with being verbally abusive to CM's but coming back on here and posting a thread about it is pointless! What good does it do? It changes nothing about the situation. It just causes drama here.
Why did OP feel the need to worry about someone else's 'business'?

 

[SueM in MN]

I was hoping something productive might come out of this thread, but doesn't look like it.

So, I am closing this.