what would you have done in my situation?

[missmulan]

i've been dwelling on a bad experience i had with another passenger when i was on the eastern a couple of months ago...

first night's show at the walt disney theatre. there was some confusion on the time of when show started so we walked in 5 minutes after the show had already begun. we weren't the only ones running late. the four of us was directed by a CM to find seats from the side of the theatre. so we walked down the right side of the theatre, i spotted 4 seats towards the middle. i said "excuse me" to the family sitting at the end of this row to gesture that we were going to sit there. the lady looked annoyed and said "well why don't you sit down there? there's seats over there" pointing to several rows below. she got up to let us thru anyway then she told her husband to save two seats for her parents that were running late too. so she's holding two seats and that'll leave us two seats. needless to say, our kids sat on our laps during the entire show.

altho' she let us through, it was her remarks that still burns. i will never forget her face or the way she said it.

 

[CM_Mom]

My best thought is to be sorry for her and probably say a prayer that she can find some peace in her life. She must be a very unhappy person to be so rude. Just imagine that the way she treated you is the way she expects to be treated all the time. How painful.

 

[Billinaz]

To put it rather bluntly... screw em.

Had she politely said that they had 2 parents on the way who were also running late and wanted to keep 2 seats for them, I bet then moving to other available seats within sight distance would not irk me.

Now on the other hand, the jerks that try to reserve deck chairs by the pool find that I have moved their stuff somewhere else while we watch our kids in the pool, and those who try to reserve a row of seats at the theater get to see me sit right there are the ones I have absolutely no patience with.

While on Castaway Cay, I really did not like those who pulled chairs right in front of us as we were watching our kids as they were in the water.....

Some people just have no clue and dont give a hoot about anyone but themselves. While it may be the way they were brought up, we dont have to deal with their inconsideration and rudeness....

 

[TYMAN]

Billinaz...I agree, I've had them pull there beach chairs right in front of where I was laying also. Hellooo, I'm watching the kid here! Of course, most of the folks we met have been great! Are you on the Wonder 02/03/05 or 02/06/05?

 

[mmouse37]

What does what state they were brought up in have to do with it?

MJ

 

[TYMAN]

State of intoxication??

 

[Tink Fans]

missmulan: I did the same thing as you when someone mentioned to us that the seats were taken. However, it was about 20 minutes before the show started. We moved to the next row - no big deal for us - but in some way you have to feel sorry for them. We arrived once w/o rest of our family to one of the shows and I purposely sat in the back row where there were plenty of seats, although I would not dare tell someone they couldn't sit there. My brothers and sisters are old enough to sit in a row or two away from us if need be. Show was still great and we had no problems seeing it from the back row. NOW...

While it may be they way they were brought up in some Northeast state,

Wow! That is an awfully narrow-minded remark! My Northeast family has given up chairs for other families when pools have been crowded - nice way to meet others (from all over the country) too. Also, on another trip we couldn't find any chairs around pool and this couple invited us to sit at their table - turned out they were from Upstate, NY - nice people. Hopefully you will encounter some nice Northeast folks during your lifetime as they do exist!

 

[DVCajun]

I kinda thought it was funny, but that could be because I was "brought up" in Louisiana. Lighten up, people.

 

[E&BMom]

Ok...maybe I am confused...but I read the OP a few times and did not see a mention of people from the northeast???? Did I miss it...all I saw was that she was on the eastern cruise??? anyway......miss mulan...don't worry about it...some people are just always unhappy.

 

[Mumph39]

It was from post #3. Very unnecessary.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Given the way the attitude, and the circumstances, I would have sat my family in the four seats, stating that there are no "saved" seats on the DCL ships.

 

[bratray]

poster #3 must have removed the part about North easterners- i am a north easterner and believe me i am just as polite and nice as anyone down south

you meet all kinds of people, i have just learned to ignore ignorance as it's really not worth the energy to get upset....hopefully this episode didn't ruin your vacation

 

[Mickeyhugger]

"Feel sorry' for people who are rude and inconsiderate? Why? Attitudes such as that help people to continue rude behavior.

Missmulan, I probably would have reacted the same way. First of all, I'm in shock when people behave in such a way. I can't think fast enough to say something (at the time.) However, I sit and think a while what I 'could have, would have, should have' said. It's a live and learn. And if it happens again (most likely it will) you'll be prepared. An example, when someone knowlingly cuts in front of me in line. It happened to me a few times before I finally said one day, 'excuse me, I'm next.' As far as seats, I'm still working on that one.

But I don't think anyone should excuse inexcuseable behavior just because someone's an 'unhappy' person. It condones and feeds his/her self-centeredness. Yes, we should say prayers for them, and at the same time command the same respect at which they'd wish to be treated.

 

[Jillpie]

I just wanted to thank the OP for posting this. It really shows me the huge effect everyone's words, whether positive or negative has on people. It just made me stop and think that we can either make or break someone's whole day (or in your case, you're still thinking about what someone said months later). I will remember this post when we cruise in April! But in a sense that I can actually have the power to MAKE someone's day. Thanks.

 

[cadburysmom]

Given the way the attitude, and the circumstances, I would have sat my family in the four seats, stating that there are no "saved" seats on the DCL ships.

 

[*Fantasia*]

To put it rather bluntly... screw em.

This is your vacation and you can sit wherever you please. She was trying to save the seat for her parents after you were trying to get through to your seat.
I would of told the lady, that those four seats are taken already...by you!

 

[faireygod mother]

MY take is that she was a bully and had you stood up to her she may have backed down. It is unlikely that this is remote behavior. I feel sorry for any of her off spring. The thought that people so rude and ignorant can reproduce is almost mind boggleing. Your question is what would I do, I would be proud of myself for not lowering myself to her level and I would remember that what goes around comes around.

 

[missmulan]

unless you mess with my children, i am not one to be confrontational. i wouldn't have made that remark about "no saving seats" because i know that people do it all the time.

and whoever said she was being a bully, that's exactly what she was, a bully. now her husband on the other hand gracefully stood up to let the four of us by with a smile.

i thank you all for your comments!

 

[popeyeohoh]

Maybe this type of things happen to her often. I must say I politely stand a allow people by me at the movies, but when they or their children have got to get up every 15 minutes I find my patience wearing thin. I really find it annoying when people are late to movies. I hate to miss even one line.

 

[jlowejd5]

I want to toss my two cents in here. The last cruise, we had two fools at CC who were so annoying. It was my honeymoon, so I really wanted nothing more than to sit in a chair with my toes in the sand and just chill. Well, after we'd been out about a half-hour, DW went up for her cabana massage appointment. Five minutes later, this stupid couple shows up, takes over two of the chairs from a few feet down the beach, and drags them over in front of me to put them in the water.

Wife then spent twenty minutes complaining that the water was too cold and the beach was "too sandy". I swear to you that that's her exact quote. Too sandy. A beach.

It was so annoying. I know it's a huge beach, and I wasn't technically "using" that beach space, but it was directly betwixt me and the surf. CLEARLY in my bubble.

But I had my revenge, because they hadn't been there an hour when the pager went off and they had to go back and pick up their kid from the day care program back in civilization. I couldn't help but smirk to myself as they had to pack up in a hurry and stumble off through the sand. But then the little man came by with something alcoholic, and all was well in the world.