Upsetting experience at Vero Beach

[Marky123]

Hi everyone,
We have been English (UK) DVC members for 16years and our membership has given us nothing but happy memories and great family holidays.
Today we went to the beach and set up our beach chairs and umbrellas(not the disney ones that you hire). A short while later, someone came up behind us and hires the set of chairs behind ours. The lady then proceeded to shout and tell us to move our umbrella out her way of her view of the ocean!!
I politely explained that I didn't think that she can reserve a view of the ocean, but to try and keep things calm we did move one of our umbrellas.
She then proceeded to complain to her husband, and then started saying that we were foreigners and should go back to our own country!!!! Obviously our children were upset by this and my eldest (15) asked me why they were being racist. She then told out kids that she hoped the sharks in the ocean ate them!!
As a family we have never experienced anything like this and just wanted some reassurance that America, the country we love vacationing in so much does not have a hidden hatred of the English.
Sorry for the ranting, but we're obviously distressed by this whole thing
Thanks for reading this
Mark

 

[ldo]

usually we (and most that I see) try to not place our umbrella directly in front of someone else's as a courtesy not to block their view. If it is super crowded or only a small sliver of beach, this is not always possible.
However, her tone and attitude is not acceptable at all. And, wishing/stating harm to another is particularly terrible.
I hope you encounter enough happy, polite people on the holiday to make up for these. And, although there might have been some underlying tensions after the American Revolution in the 1700s, I think the US-UK relations are just fine now. We see lots of UK visitors all the time at WDW. I have never seen any instances of problems---wish I had such a cool accent! So sorry this happened. Elaine

 

[jillmc40]

WOW! Why did she get chairs behind yours? Why not get chairs with no one in front of them? I have never been to VB but I have been to the beach before. If someone came after me and put an umbrella in front of me, I would be annoyed (not feed them to the sharks annoyed, just move to the left a little annoyed). But if I came and plopped down BEHIND someone and told them to move, I would expect them to look at me like I had 2 heads...As Kramer says(and my hubby and I often joke to each other) ...People, they're the worst!

I hope you have a great vacation and don't let it bother you. We aren't ALL the worst

One more thing...Did they have kids? That seems like an awful thing to yell at other kids while your own are sitting there listening!

 

[Happy99]

member for 16 years and this is your first post. If this is a legit post you cannot do anything about rudeness from others. I personally would just ignore them or if pressed remind them I was there first and they had plenty of options of where to place their chairs

 

[DavidG1966]

I think we are missing something here... Like the OTHER side of the story.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

You just ran into a very rude person who felt entitled to a certain experience and you were in their way. It's most certainly not indicative of any underlying feeling in the US towards the UK. Obviously it was very upsetting but it's best to just shake it off.

For example when in Europe an English woman was telling how all the US enjoyed violence and the women were all beaten by their husbands. I doubted that all English thought that.

All kinds make up the world - in every country.

 

[Marky123]

Thanks for the reply guys,
This isn't my first post but I am on my iphone and I've had to reregister for some reason to be able to sign in and post this. My previous user name was Marky, so yes, I am a legit user of Disboards, and a fan of the site. I really appreciate all if your comments, and was just so shook up by the experience, that I felt I needed to share.
Again thanks for taking the time
X

 

[detarica]

That is an excellent time to get a cast member involved. They are great at helping with these types of situations. It might mean that the other couple gets "upgraded" to a better spot, but so what if they are out of your hair. At the first disrespectful remark, go find a cast member and say, "I am not having a magical day because..." They are fair and can help out.

 

[disneynutz]

Stuff happens and it can happen anywhere, people will be people, some nice and some not. Don't let this ruin your holiday, forget about it and move on.

Bill

 

[DVC Jen]

I am so sorry that happened to you. No one should be treated like that.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

Unfortunately you will find rude people occasionally no matter where you go. She certainly doesn't speak for the vast majority of americans, but sadly there still are racists...or countryists? Just like the people jumping on your number of posts don't speak for the majority of DISers., but sadly there are people that look first at the number of posts by a user to decide whether to be an ****** or not.

 

[mariafh]

Their behavior was rude and obnoxious. The worst of it was the comments about the children. As a US citizen, I am appalled by such behavior and assure you that most of us in the US would not behave as such. I personally am enjoyed and pleased to meet others from outside the US. Such wonderful and interesting stories to share.

 

[Mousewerks]

I believe if such words were actually said, that constitutes verbal assault and could be prosecuted. There is no excuse for such rude and offensive behavior and those promulgating such should be prosecuted.

 

[kirstenb1]

Beyond rude!!! I'm confused about one thing----are the "hire" chairs super heavy (not moveable?)? Why didn't they just freaking move?

The comment about the sharks was so over the top---if I hadn't been mad, I would have giggled. Must have been the heat getting to her brain.

We've only been to Vero once, and just for one night. But I got to watch a smackdown over reserving chairs with resort towels. It was entertaining, and I wanted to buy the woman (who moved the towels and stood her ground ) a drink, LOL!!!

 

[ohionola]

Someone shouldn't say rude things but this could be a cultural thing. It is customary not to set up shop in front of paid chairs. This is at any beach in the us. I hope the rest of your trip is magical.

 

[Marky123]

Again, many thanks for all of your comments. We've had a lovely afternoon and have put this mornings drama behind us now. Thanks for letting me get things off my chest and listening.
x

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I'm so sorry this happened to you. Please don't let these rude, ugly people be the basis for your opinion of Americans in general. No, there is no secret hatred of the English. (We got over that whole burning-down-the-White-House thing a long time ago. Plus, we find it really endearing to hear the cute way your kids say the words "Mummy" and "Daddy.")

I think you were just unfortunate enough to encounter someone who's probably a real prat to everyone she meets -- an unhappy person who lives her life bullying others. She was very clearly in the wrong, and should be ashamed of herself.

Move on up the beach, put her behind you, and get on with having fun.

(BTW, did I use the word "prat" correctly?)

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would be as unnerved as you are. I am sorry that you had this experience. Somehow, find the courage to let it go.

Bobbi

 

[marx]

Someone shouldn't say rude things but this could be a cultural thing. It is customary not to set up shop in front of paid chairs. This is at any beach in the us. I hope the rest of your trip is magical.

I didn't know this, though I don't think I ever set up before a paid chair.

 

[Dean]

Hi everyone,
We have been English (UK) DVC members for 16years and our membership has given us nothing but happy memories and great family holidays.
Today we went to the beach and set up our beach chairs and umbrellas(not the disney ones that you hire). A short while later, someone came up behind us and hires the set of chairs behind ours. The lady then proceeded to shout and tell us to move our umbrella out her way of her view of the ocean!!
I politely explained that I didn't think that she can reserve a view of the ocean, but to try and keep things calm we did move one of our umbrellas.
She then proceeded to complain to her husband, and then started saying that we were foreigners and should go back to our own country!!!! Obviously our children were upset by this and my eldest (15) asked me why they were being racist. She then told out kids that she hoped the sharks in the ocean ate them!!
As a family we have never experienced anything like this and just wanted some reassurance that America, the country we love vacationing in so much does not have a hidden hatred of the English.
Sorry for the ranting, but we're obviously distressed by this whole thing
Thanks for reading this
Mark

As presented, it would be unacceptable. Obviously none of us were there and the devil is in the details. The beaches are public though, no real control by Disney other than possibly changing their chair assignment. As a visitor to our country please accept our apologies for anyone that would act the way described, fortunately it's a small minority here and in other countries.