What would you do? This is awkward!

[myfamilyluvs2cruise]

We just returned from an amazing Disney Fantasy sailing. At one breakfast, a very nice assistant waiter came over, and entertained our family with magic tricks, jokes, and made hats for the kids- as our order came out wrong and was taking longer than usual. He asked us where we were from, and when we told him- he lit up and mentioned he would be there in the next two weeks to visit his girlfriend. He asked us for our phone number and put us on the spot, which startled us a bit- and we gave him just my husband's work number.

My question is, what would you do? He has already called and wants to get together. We only met over one very short breakfast, and I am uncomfortable as he is basically a total stranger. I know Disney is fabulous, and their cast members are probably screened- but I can't help worrying that he might be a killer. I know, it is a leap . . . LOL.

Has anyone else experienced this? Advice?

 

[TXDCLfan]

We just returned from an amazing Disney Fantasy sailing. At one breakfast, a very nice assistant waiter came over, and entertained our family with magic tricks, jokes, and made hats for the kids- as our order came out wrong and was taking longer than usual. He asked us where we were from, and when we told him- he lit up and mentioned he would be there in the next two weeks to visit his girlfriend. He asked us for our phone number on the spot, which startled us a bit- and we gave him just my husband's work number.

My question is, what would you do? He has already called and wants to get together. We only met over one very short breakfast, and I am uncomfortable as he is basically a total stranger. I know Disney is fabulous, and their cast members are probably screened- but I can't help worrying that he might be a killer. I know, it is a leap . . . LOL.

Has anyone else experienced this? Advice?

I would have made up a number ...this is to weird

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We just returned from an amazing Disney Fantasy sailing. At one breakfast, a very nice assistant waiter came over, and entertained our family with magic tricks, jokes, and made hats for the kids- as our order came out wrong and was taking longer than usual. He asked us where we were from, and when we told him- he lit up and mentioned he would be there in the next two weeks to visit his girlfriend. He asked us for our phone number on the spot, which startled us a bit- and we gave him just my husband's work number.

My question is, what would you do? He has already called and wants to get together. We only met over one very short breakfast, and I am uncomfortable as he is basically a total stranger. I know Disney is fabulous, and their cast members are probably screened- but I can't help worrying that he might be a killer. I know, it is a leap . . . LOL.

Has anyone else experienced this? Advice?

Well, I probably wouldn't have given him any phone number. But, since you did, I would probably just try to be "busy" when he wants to get together (have him suggest a day/time). You don't have to be specific, just say "Oh, I'm sorry, we already had plans for that day/time." With such a short time frame from when you sailed to when he will be there, it's quite likely you would already have plans.

 

[DisneyDreamingGirl]

Keep saying that you are busy. Do not meet up with him... You never know what can happen. I am guessing he is from the US??? Honestly, I would consider contacting Disney because this is very odd(we gave one server our number on a med cruise, but we saw him everyday for two weeks. We saw him on our last cruise(2 yrs after the med) and he went out of his way to speak to us every time he saw us, but I don't think he would ever call to meet up with us if he came to the US).

 

[myfamilyluvs2cruise]

Keep saying that you are busy. Do not meet up with him... You never know what can happen. I am guessing he is from the US??? Honestly, I would consider contacting Disney because this is very odd(we have gave my husbands work # to one server on a med cruise, but we saw him everyday for two weeks. We saw him on our last cruise(2 yrs after the med) and he went out of his way to speak to us every time he saw us, but I don't think he would ever call to meet up with us if he came to the US).

I know, I am so mad at ourselves that we gave him anything legit. I did give him fake last names- so he could not look up our house. He is actually from the Dominican Republic- but girlfriend is US. The number he called us from is indeed from our state- so he is definitely here. Good advice!!! I always think that when someone tries to become to familiar, too fast- it is not a good sign.

 

[kcashner]

Just asking for your number is a HUGE violation of DCL policy. Absolutely don't meet up with him.

Very odd, because on our Fantasy cruise we had a server who started the week telling us how he was our "best friend" and encouraging us to ask for anything we wanted.....on the last day he saw us taking photos around the ship and sort of stalked us, and then that evening at dinner he started talking about how he wanted to take my daughter home to India "to meet his mother." Yeah, weird.

I'd just continue to be very busy.

As to DCL policy--CMs are not to trade personal info with guests including e-mails and FB addresses (although many do!). We have a friend who we met when he was NOT under a contract with DCL who has done several contracts as a stage performer. We have contacted him in advance of cruises to find out if he would be on the ship, and when he was, sent a note inviting him to meet us for dinner/snack/whatever fit his schedule. He is required to submit any such communications to his manager and cannot contact us in any way without permission from the manager. We've actually had to send messages thru performer friends (I asked one if he knew whether our friend had gotten our note--he said yes, he knew for sure that he had but that the manager said no contact!) When we saw him on the pool deck, I made a point of telling him to not get into trouble on our account--he made a joke about how he had gotten fully dressed before he came over to say hello and was standing the required 6 feet away! My point is that they are VERY strict, even with people who know each other outside of the scope of employment. With CMs who met guests on the ship, ANY outside contact violates their terms of employment.

 

[DisneyDreamingGirl]

I know, I am so mad at ourselves that we gave him anything legit. I did give him fake last names- so he could not look up our house. He is actually from the Dominican Republic- but girlfriend is US. The number he called us from is indeed from our state- so he is definitely here. Good advice!!! I always think that when someone tries to become to familiar, too fast- it is not a good sign.

He asked for your last name too?!?! Thank goodness you gave him a fake one... He probably would have ended up at your front door. How many times has he called? When he calls, make sure your husband is brief, to the point, and not friendly because you do not want this man to feel welcomed.

 

[myfamilyluvs2cruise]

Just asking for your number is a HUGE violation of DCL policy. Absolutely don't meet up with him.

Very odd, because on our Fantasy cruise we had a server who started the week telling us how he was our "best friend" and encouraging us to ask for anything we wanted.....on the last day he saw us taking photos around the ship and sort of stalked us, and then that evening at dinner he started talking about how he wanted to take my daughter home to India "to meet his mother." Yeah, weird.

I'd just continue to be very busy.

As to DCL policy--CMs are not to trade personal info with guests including e-mails and FB addresses (although many do!). We have a friend who we met when he was NOT under a contract with DCL who has done several contracts as a stage performer. We have contacted him in advance of cruises to find out if he would be on the ship, and when he was, sent a note inviting him to meet us for dinner/snack/whatever fit his schedule. He is required to submit any such communications to his manager and cannot contact us in any way without permission from the manager. We've actually had to send messages thru performer friends (I asked one if he knew whether our friend had gotten our note--he said yes, he knew for sure that he had but that the manager said no contact!) When we saw him on the pool deck, I made a point of telling him to not get into trouble on our account--he made a joke about how he had gotten fully dressed before he came over to say hello and was standing the required 6 feet away! My point is that they are VERY strict, even with people who know each other outside of the scope of employment. With CMs who met guests on the ship, ANY outside contact violates their terms of employment.

WOW- great info! It seemed really weird, but I can be a cynical type, and I am always skeptical. I was not trusting my gut in giving him any number. I half expected people on this Board to tell me that this was normal, and I was too worried- that they do this all the time. This was our first Disney Cruise, and the culture seemed so different from all the other cruises we did- that I didn't use good judgement.

Thanks!

 

[myfamilyluvs2cruise]

He asked for your last name too?!?! Thank goodness you gave him a fake one... He probably would have ended up at your front door. How many times has he called? When he calls, make sure your husband is brief, to the point, and not friendly because you do not want this man to feel welcomed.

Good point! We both felt kind of sorry for him, but I think that is part of the strategy when people try hard to overly endear themselves quickly. Oh, and he just called tonight for the first time. I am sitting here handing out Halloween candy, thinking I made a stupid mistake.

 

[jennab05]

that is such an awkward experience! only once has a CM and I exchanged information but it was just a facebook and he was our waiter and I felt fine doing so but that is really strange. I wonder how he even knows this "girlfriend of his"...???

Just asking for your number is a HUGE violation of DCL policy. Absolutely don't meet up with him.

Very odd, because on our Fantasy cruise we had a server who started the week telling us how he was our "best friend" and encouraging us to ask for anything we wanted.....on the last day he saw us taking photos around the ship and sort of stalked us, and then that evening at dinner he started talking about how he wanted to take my daughter home to India "to meet his mother." Yeah, weird.

I'd just continue to be very busy.

As to DCL policy--CMs are not to trade personal info with guests including e-mails and FB addresses (although many do!). We have a friend who we met when he was NOT under a contract with DCL who has done several contracts as a stage performer. We have contacted him in advance of cruises to find out if he would be on the ship, and when he was, sent a note inviting him to meet us for dinner/snack/whatever fit his schedule. He is required to submit any such communications to his manager and cannot contact us in any way without permission from the manager. We've actually had to send messages thru performer friends (I asked one if he knew whether our friend had gotten our note--he said yes, he knew for sure that he had but that the manager said no contact!) When we saw him on the pool deck, I made a point of telling him to not get into trouble on our account--he made a joke about how he had gotten fully dressed before he came over to say hello and was standing the required 6 feet away! My point is that they are VERY strict, even with people who know each other outside of the scope of employment. With CMs who met guests on the ship, ANY outside contact violates their terms of employment.

taking your daughter home to india to meet his mother? oh wow... what did you say to that one?!?!

 

[kcashner]

that is such an awkward experience! only once has a CM and I exchanged information but it was just a facebook and he was our waiter and I felt fine doing so but that is really strange. I wonder how he even knows this "girlfriend of his"...???



taking your daughter home to india to meet his mother? oh wow... what did you say to that one?!?!

What I said was that she couldn't go to India, she had to go back to school! And then I wished I hadn't increased his tip (which I had done the day before....no, didn't undo that)

 

[PizzieDuster]

What I said was that she couldn't go to India, she had to go back to school! And then I wished I hadn't increased his tip (which I had done the day before....no, didn't undo that)

kcashner, is it really a violation? Wow...definitely report it! Stop it now, before something tragic may happen.

 

[kcashner]

kcashner, is it really a violation? Wow...definitely report it! Stop it now, before something tragic may happen.

Yes, it absolutely is a violation of their employment policy. What a CM does on vacation is their business, but the fact that he asked for the info while on duty is a big no-no. And they are strict about it.

 

[Momma2Jax]

Okay that is super creepy to me! I probably wouldn't have known what to say, and would have fake numbered him.


On our cruise we loved our asst server, and ended up seeing him in every port! He rode the mt. Roberts tram at the same time as us, and was a few other places that we were. But every time he saw us in public, he would make conversation, but was never intrusive! He even sat and talked with me for about 20 minutes in one port, but even then, if I had acted like I didn't want to talk, he would have understood that. I think even after 7 days with him, it would have been odd to ask for our number! I can't imagine after 1 meal!

 

[MND]

We just returned from an amazing Disney Fantasy sailing. At one breakfast, a very nice assistant waiter came over, and entertained our family with magic tricks, jokes, and made hats for the kids- as our order came out wrong and was taking longer than usual. He asked us where we were from, and when we told him- he lit up and mentioned he would be there in the next two weeks to visit his girlfriend. He asked us for our phone number on the spot, which startled us a bit- and we gave him just my husband's work number.

My question is, what would you do? He has already called and wants to get together. We only met over one very short breakfast, and I am uncomfortable as he is basically a total stranger. I know Disney is fabulous, and their cast members are probably screened- but I can't help worrying that he might be a killer. I know, it is a leap . . . LOL.

Has anyone else experienced this? Advice?

I think you should get together with him and his girlfriend. What could go wrong? Who knows, you could make friends for life? Just my 2¢.

 

[disney1990]

I would probably meet up too. Although, I probably would suggest a nearby restaurant. I know people that have exchanged email addressed with their servers and have kept in contact with them for many years. I guess I'm a more trusting person.

 

[mnrhannah07]

Def follow your gut...if its telling you something is off, it most likely is...I have always been skeptical of people wanting to become best friends before you even know their name....

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[MND]

I would probably meet up too. Although, I probably would suggest a nearby restaurant. I know people that have exchanged email addressed with their servers and have kept in contact with them for many years. I guess I'm a more trusting person.

Meeting up at a restaurant is a great idea. How about Lone Tree Brewing?

Keep us posted on how it turns out.

Mike

 

[dallastxcpa]

We just returned from an amazing Disney Fantasy sailing. At one breakfast, a very nice assistant waiter came over, and entertained our family with magic tricks, jokes, and made hats for the kids- as our order came out wrong and was taking longer than usual. He asked us where we were from, and when we told him- he lit up and mentioned he would be there in the next two weeks to visit his girlfriend. He asked us for our phone number on the spot, which startled us a bit- and we gave him just my husband's work number.

My question is, what would you do? He has already called and wants to get together. We only met over one very short breakfast, and I am uncomfortable as he is basically a total stranger. I know Disney is fabulous, and their cast members are probably screened- but I can't help worrying that he might be a killer. I know, it is a leap . . . LOL.

Has anyone else experienced this? Advice?

I guess I am one of the few in the minority here because I would have no problem meeting up with a person I met through Disney. In fact I have done it many times at Disney, in Hilton Head, here in the Dallas area. As long as you are meeting up in a public place.

And for goodness sake if you are that worried about someone showing up at your house:

1 Get an alarm
2 Get a dog
3 Get a gun
4 put your home title in a trust name so someone can't look up where you live.

 

[justmestace]

Couldn't the CM have easily found out your real last name, just by your table number?
We've exchanged e-mail and Facebook with a lot of CM's....on DCL and others, but I've not had anyone want to meet up in person.

One time, on our only Princess cruise, a young bar waiter keep asking us to take him to America. He even cried the last night of the cruise, begging us to take him. I couldn't get away fast enough. I felt bad for him, but that was REALLY uncomfortable.

And by the way, I like the advice of "being busy". I wouldn't meet up with him.