Originally Posted By basas <<By far the rudest guests I see at WDW are the most prevalent ---- Americans.>> I would disagree with that statement. Then of course, its hardly a fair statement considering 95% of the guests are Americans. Of course there’ll be a few rude ones, but the majority of them aren’t.
Originally Posted By LadyandtheTramp I still remember our first trip to Paris, and the guide book in the hotel had a very wise piece of information. Speaking to Americans, it said that, while a number of Parisians we'd encounter may be rude, don't take it personally, since they're just as rude to other Parisians as to any other people. And while we have seen rude behavior, very seldom have we seen it directed at us as Americans, but generally directed at everyone around. (BTW, off topic, the new Google search tool comes with a spell checker that will spell check various and sundry messages, such as this one. All I have to do is to remember to click on it.)
Originally Posted By basas <<I still remember our first trip to Paris, and the guide book in the hotel had a very wise piece of information. Speaking to Americans, it said that, while a number of Parisians we'd encounter may be rude, don't take it personally, since they're just as rude to other Parisians as to any other people. And while we have seen rude behavior, very seldom have we seen it directed at us as Americans, but generally directed at everyone around. >> I agree- they are just rude all-around. Although, as a general comment, I found the people in the South of France (Nice, etc.) much friendlier.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip My only experience with French people at WDW was during breakfast in the Food Court at the All Star Music. A French couple was sitting at a table near us with a girl who appeared to be about 3 years old. She was being a typical 3-year old, not sitting still and not eating much breakfast. All of a sudden the mother slaps the little girl across the face HARD. I couldn't believe it... I had never seen something like that in a public place. I guess the French are rude to their kids too.
Originally Posted By bloona I dont think Ive ever met anyone from France! Ask the UK LPers when they return.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Generally speaking I have only experienced a limited few numbers of rude people on my different trips to WDW. There was this overweight couple on what looked like all terran wheel chairs with headlights going up and down the que at Maelstrom ( they were obviously not handicapped at all ). Myself and the other people in que where shocked. On my last trip there was an Indian family trying to sneak into Honey I Shrunk the Audience they had taken down the rope and were going to join the group watching the prefilm. The elderly CM working the que awas extremely upset with them as he had told them to wait for the next show before they took down the rope. At MGM there was a group of young black people on those handicapped vechiles zipping around the crowds during Extra Magic Hours. It was never annoying as people would stop and let them go on their way. Like it or not MGM is really more geared toward pedistrain travel with all the side walks everywhere. I felt bad for them until they parked out side of the Great Movie Ride.. all got up and walked inside.
Originally Posted By trailsend <<>>But in WDW I've been cut in line on (atleast) three specific seperate incidents which I can remember where either a group or family of French people would either forcibly push up the middle of the line, try to duck the ropes to cut in front of us and then give us the "I don't speak English" story, or the trying to be suave sneak in front of you technique complete with that "What?" look<<>> This is a true statement. Europeans, in general, DO NOT wait in line as Americans do. I've seen this first hand. <<>>^ I disagree, I know Americans are rude too, but most of the rude people in WDW are European<<>> <<>>The thing that makes some of the more rude European visitors any worse than any other rude visitors are...Not only are they rude, but they have the NERVE to act as if they can't stand being around all "these filthy American's" the entire time they are in WDW. Like we are *beneath* them...Um, if you don't like Americans, don't come to America...I hear there's a lot of them there!<<>> Kimrue, I so agree with your post. I copied it because I could not have said it any better and this has been my experience at WDW. There are more Europeans at WDW than DL. My husband has no patience for this behavior at all. And in lines, he has made it VERY CLEAR to those who would be so rude exactly where their place is. They start speaking their language acting as if they don't understand what the problem is, but he is VERY firm in putting them in their place.
Originally Posted By trailsend This just reminded me of one day back in the Spring when we were checking in EPCOT Center and going through the bag check. One man walked up and tried to go on through without having his bag checked. The CM very courteously explained to him (like ANYONE needs an explanation for bag checks these days) to wait in line with everyone else, and out comes this accent telling the CM how stupid he is. Then the "What's your name, I'm reporting you" crappola. Well, I went into "Back up the CM Mode". I was so angry, I told this idiot, pointing my finger to the end of the line and in MY accent which is Southern to get back there and shut up or go home. I felt like Julia Sugarbaker. And the sweet CM thanked me quietly. It was a good day at EPCOT!!
Originally Posted By basas <<Kimrue, I so agree with your post. I copied it because I could not have said it any better and this has been my experience at WDW.>> In 100% agreement.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <They start speaking their language acting as if they don't understand what the problem is, but he is VERY firm in putting them in their place. < Oh trust me -- they understand -- especially when a large angry American is shaking his fist in their "general direction " ( as the Monty Python skit goes) --
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost >>>(BTW, off topic, the new Google search tool comes with a spell checker that will spell check various and sundry messages, such as this one. All I have to do is to remember to click on it.)<<< I just found it a short while ago myself. It sure is handy as long as you pay attention to what you are writing. I find that I put words in that I never intended but because the spelling is correct they don't get caught. I wish someone would invent a "I'm an idiot" check.
Originally Posted By bloona Im taking that when you say "European's" that you dont include British?? Im guessing since youre saying about language differences you arent. Do you mean mainland Europe? My son got a question from school the other day asking how long it would take him to travel to Europe, it gave multiple choices for the answer, but none of them said " YOU'RE ALREADY THERE!!!"
Originally Posted By Socrates Ah, human nature! The first time I went to DLP, my friend and I were half afraid to even go into Paris due to the French reputation for rudeness. We need not have worried, for we got along fine. I have been to Paris five times total in the last ten years, and have not experienced anything inconsistent with being in a big city. Have I just been lucky? Socrates "The unexamined life is not worth living.
Originally Posted By Kimrue OH, NO, bloona...I'm sorry for the generalization...I would actually LOVE to visit England!!! My husband and I once met a women from England in Sci fi dine in theater and she was so nice!!! We spoke to her the entire meal!!! I also know certain other European countries that kind of see us as barbarians, not only the french but certainly NOT the British..if that is the correct term...
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney It stands to reason if there are more American vistors to WDW by far than any other country, the percentage of morons will be proportionate. Just common sense.
Originally Posted By frailejon Whoever said they don't see the loud, raucous behavior in DL- ever try to see Billy Hill when there are a lot of repeat visitors? I could barely hear them over all the cheering, clapping and laughing. Especially some blonde gal in Heidi of the Swiss Alps braids a few tables ahead of me. They probably heard her over in DCA.
Originally Posted By BlazesOfFire going back to post 6...<<I agree SJHYM-- sometimes I just want to shout at the top of my lungs " Shut the **** up you morons !">> I got so upset one time i did yell "shut up"...and I wasnt the only one either saying it! Then everyone did quiet down, however, I do not want to say that again because i'm sure it is just as annoying as the people talking. but please...DO SHUT UP!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Funny thing was I wanted to take special notice today as we were in Springfield , Illinois and went to the new Lincoln Museum. This thing is spectacular, and I really wanted to notice how things were done as they were 'criticized' before opening for being too Disney like in it's atttractions inside.... Well Disney like they were -- there are two Movie shows -- one with GREAT special effects that would remind you of CoP without the revolving stage. But the scene manages to change from a research library ( with a live actor ) to a civil war battlefield. Attraction called Ghosts of the Library -- and has a corporate sponsor- SBC. To enter the show is much akin to entering Voyage of Little Mermaid, or Muppets 3-D etc -- with the queue and the ways the doors are designed and open. During this show and another in the "Union Theatre" ( think Philharmagic here for type of show/interacton except not 3 D) - when the lights wnet down they asked for cellphones to be turned off and for quiet from the audience-- and lo and behold -- people actually shut up and you could hear the shows ! And it was very crowded today with a lot of kids because of the school holiday. So it can be done........ For those who really have a passion for history / Lincoln etc-- I highly recommend this place. Takes about 4 hours to see most-- and you certainly can take longer. Actual copies of Emancipation Proclamation and Gettysburg address on display -- (under guard) - and sooo many artifacts ( stovepipe hat - and for the gorier side but interesting - blood stained gloves from theatre- actual death bed - presidential carriage - and for a short period of time a roving display of JW Booth memorabilia and a 'living' timeline of Lincoln's last day... enough highjacking... here is site <a href="http://www.alplm.org/museum/museum.html" target="_blank">http://www.alplm.org/museum/mu seum.html</a> but my main reason for posting this was to mention how quiet the crowd was for both shows -- unlike recent visits to HM - HoP - etc.... It can be done
Originally Posted By SuperDry ^^^ That's interesting. I would think that a live person giving an into speil to an attraction could be used to achieve quiet more more effectively than a recording. I think enough people will pay attention to a live person that when they got to the point about being quiet, they could get control over the remaining talkers. And with a transition that emphasized remaining respectfully quiet, this could carry into the attraction. It would be kind of like being in church or at the library. Once you establish the collective sense of quiet and respect, there's something that keeps everyone in line and respecting the mood. But you have to establish this first, especially in a theme park environment where people are otherwise in a very boisterous mood.
