Stupid Guest Tricks

Well, Uppy sure named herself right, didn't she? In my day, the cheerleaders and others in that field were also A students (back when we WORKED for our grades), and quite a few held responsible jobs or had community type duties (volunteering) as well. They were very mature, responsible, wonderful people. One of my best friends was on my high school's drill team. Definately not stuck-up snobs. But let's face it, my Baby Boomer generation was the last to be taught decent behavior, at least large scale, because after that came the Baby Busters, and they came of age during the hippie era--the "do your own thing" style of child rearing. After that, people got into entitlement big time. Now, I am aware that when Disneyland opened in 1955, there were the first generation of SGs--people who climbed ladders over the fences to get in for free, etc..

And let me tell you, I've had quite a few jobs where I wished I was doing anything else besides what I was doing, but because I needed an income, I stayed there until an opportunity came along for me to get another job. Do you know, Uppy, that the longest I've held a job was 8 years--cleaning my neighbor's stables? I only went there every week, and I only got $20/week, but I supplemented by picking up cans and bottles for recycling. I was still living at home, but you could say I was doing something for the environment.

A word of warning to those of you under the age of 30 to 35--one day, you will start talking like your parents. Phrases like "In my day...." and "When I was your age...." as well as "Kids these days!" will suddenly start popping out of your mouth. Next you start to see the differences in what you grew up with and what today's generation has. And of course as we all get older, the wisdom we have acquired starts to kick in, and we start getting somewhat judgmental. And bossy. Telling younger people not to do thus and so. We really are telling it to them for their own good--we've seen the consequences.

What kills me is when I see people of my generation--who are still probably living in a commune somewhere, at least in their own mind--disobey the rules and/or encourage their kids/grandkids to do the same. It is a fact that 95% of the accidents, especially fatal ones, that occur in amusement parks are because a guest broke a safety rule while on a ride. The other 5% are due, from most to least common, undiagnosed medical issues, hidden problems with a ride, weather, and ride operator error. Check out the accident reports at themeparkinsider.com and categorize them according to the above categories, and I think you'll agree.

Face it, Uppy, the reason we complain so much about cheerleaders is that they are hyped up, their team requires them to yell and be as enthusiastic as possible, but while that maybe totally appropriate during competition, when in the park you need to get out of competition mode and treat park employees as you would have them treat you.

Somewhere on this board is the account of a young woman who got hired at Disney, and worked one day, then didn't show up for a couple of days. When her shift leader called her, she responded, "You mean I have to come in to work EVERY DAY????"

So, if you hear criticism directed at you or others in your group, you need to look at how you are marketing yourselves. If you come into the park all screechy and disruptive, disregarding rules and pulling a card everywhere you go, yes, you will be criticized. When that happens you need to act more respectfully. In other words, act in such a way that people will compliment you/your group, and anticipate your return. I'm sure there are people on this board who have encountered cheerleaders who were quiet, decent people, and maybe even Brazilians who took the time to do in Rome as the Romans do.

Are you sure you want to be a doctor? You have to deal with gross stuff like blood and other less mentionable body substances, you will be going years without decent rest because during your internship and residency you will be on call 24/7, and you can just forget about taking 20 minutes to do your hair and makeup. You won't have that luxury. Ask any doctor, especially a female doctor, what it was like for her during med school, internship and residency. That will be a real eye-opener.

I have a couple of things to say:

1.) In response to Uppy: I have to admit that I was offended by the "I'm probably smarter than all of you" quote in your post. Not to sound conceited, but let me tell you about myself: I skipped high school and started college when I was 15. I am now earning a Master's of Arts in Education. I have been published in Who's Who in Poetry and Chicken Soup for the Soul and am working on my first independent novel. I was the first from me elementary school to go to a regional spelling bee and was favored for nationals if our sponsor had not dropped our district. I normally don't trot all this out, but I think that you need to learn about people before degrading their intelligence. (And a word of advice, if you are going to tell people you are smarter than them, make sure you proofread your post as atrocious spelling tends to make you look quite the opposite.)

2.) I will admit that I cringe when I see the cheerleaders coming, although this is true with any large group, especially large groups of teenagers. I have had too many bad experiences with them, believe me, it is not a good feeling being mobbed when you are in a cumbersome costume with poor vision and completely unable to get away or defend yourself, and this has happened to me with large groups. I have known several characters who were injured by cheerleaders, and have witnessed more than my fair share of stupidity by high schoolers during grad nights. I know that not all are like that, but I cannot help but be wary of any large group of young people.

3.) At one point I planned to work full time in entertainment (I may still do so), not because I lacked ambition, but because I absolutely loved my job. The only thing that kept me from doing so was the cost of living in Orlando as compared to the paycheck. As it is, I plan to return to Orlando as soon as I get my degree and either work for the YES Program or teach and be a character part time. This does not mean that I lack ambition, but that my ambition is to do something that I love and brings happiness to others.

4.) To the previous poster: Your post made me laugh, although I would like to defend the under 30-35 crowd: not all of us feel entitled. The scary thing is, I have already used the phrase "When I was your age" multiple times in the classroom! Earlier in the week my third graders were reading a story that talked about the main character searching a card catalogue for information, and I had to explain to them that when I was their age computers were new so most libraries in schools didn't have them and instead you had to look up the book you wanted in the card catalogue. It was scary, they had absolutely no concept of it, it made me feel old.

uptown_girl44 wrote: I will also not appologize for anything I am saying. You are all judging an entire group based on your opinions (gathered after less than one min of interaction) with a few of these girls. You are the ones that should be appologizing for sterotyping, something that I thought as adults we were all too mature for.

I will say that not all kids in a group (cheerleading, Pop Warner, ect) are bad. However, many of them are. It's sad that I feel like running every time I see one of the large groups, but that has come from experience.

Also, most of the CMs working at Disney are people who have retired and gone there to work. I myself plan on working at Disney FT- because I want to.

EeyoresButterfly wrote: 4.) To the previous poster: Your post made me laugh, although I would like to defend the under 30-35 crowd: not all of us feel entitled. The scary thing is, I have already used the phrase "When I was your age" multiple times in the classroom! Earlier in the week my third graders were reading a story that talked about the main character searching a card catalogue for information, and I had to explain to them that when I was their age computers were new so most libraries in schools didn't have them and instead you had to look up the book you wanted in the card catalogue. It was scary, they had absolutely no concept of it, it made me feel old.

That's too funny. :)

felinefan wrote:Well, Uppy sure named herself right, didn't she? In my day, the cheerleaders and others in that field were also A students (back when we WORKED for our grades), and quite a few held responsible jobs or had community type duties (volunteering) as well. They were very mature, responsible, wonderful people. One of my best friends was on my high school's drill team. Definately not stuck-up snobs. But let's face it, my Baby Boomer generation was the last to be taught decent behavior, at least large scale, because after that came the Baby Busters, and they came of age during the hippie era--the "do your own thing" style of child rearing. After that, people got into entitlement big time. Now, I am aware that when Disneyland opened in 1955, there were the first generation of SGs--people who climbed ladders over the fences to get in for free, etc..

And let me tell you, I've had quite a few jobs where I wished I was doing anything else besides what I was doing, but because I needed an income, I stayed there until an opportunity came along for me to get another job. Do you know, Uppy, that the longest I've held a job was 8 years--cleaning my neighbor's stables? I only went there every week, and I only got $20/week, but I supplemented by picking up cans and bottles for recycling. I was still living at home, but you could say I was doing something for the environment.

A word of warning to those of you under the age of 30 to 35--one day, you will start talking like your parents. Phrases like "In my day...." and "When I was your age...." as well as "Kids these days!" will suddenly start popping out of your mouth. Next you start to see the differences in what you grew up with and what today's generation has. And of course as we all get older, the wisdom we have acquired starts to kick in, and we start getting somewhat judgmental. And bossy. Telling younger people not to do thus and so. We really are telling it to them for their own good--we've seen the consequences.

What kills me is when I see people of my generation--who are still probably living in a commune somewhere, at least in their own mind--disobey the rules and/or encourage their kids/grandkids to do the same. It is a fact that 95% of the accidents, especially fatal ones, that occur in amusement parks are because a guest broke a safety rule while on a ride. The other 5% are due, from most to least common, undiagnosed medical issues, hidden problems with a ride, weather, and ride operator error. Check out the accident reports at themeparkinsider.com and categorize them according to the above categories, and I think you'll agree.

Face it, Uppy, the reason we complain so much about cheerleaders is that they are hyped up, their team requires them to yell and be as enthusiastic as possible, but while that maybe totally appropriate during competition, when in the park you need to get out of competition mode and treat park employees as you would have them treat you.

Somewhere on this board is the account of a young woman who got hired at Disney, and worked one day, then didn't show up for a couple of days. When her shift leader called her, she responded, "You mean I have to come in to work EVERY DAY????"

So, if you hear criticism directed at you or others in your group, you need to look at how you are marketing yourselves. If you come into the park all screechy and disruptive, disregarding rules and pulling a card everywhere you go, yes, you will be criticized. When that happens you need to act more respectfully. In other words, act in such a way that people will compliment you/your group, and anticipate your return. I'm sure there are people on this board who have encountered cheerleaders who were quiet, decent people, and maybe even Brazilians who took the time to do in Rome as the Romans do.

Are you sure you want to be a doctor? You have to deal with gross stuff like blood and other less mentionable body substances, you will be going years without decent rest because during your internship and residency you will be on call 24/7, and you can just forget about taking 20 minutes to do your hair and makeup. You won't have that luxury. Ask any doctor, especially a female doctor, what it was like for her during med school, internship and residency. That will be a real eye-opener.

GREAT POST!!!!!!!! HEAR! HEAR!
Susi

EeyoresButterfly wrote:I have a couple of things to say:

1.) In response to Uppy: I have to admit that I was offended by the "I'm probably smarter than all of you" quote in your post. Not to sound conceited, but let me tell you about myself: I skipped high school and started college when I was 15. I am now earning a Master's of Arts in Education. I have been published in Who's Who in Poetry and Chicken Soup for the Soul and am working on my first independent novel. I was the first from me elementary school to go to a regional spelling bee and was favored for nationals if our sponsor had not dropped our district. I normally don't trot all this out, but I think that you need to learn about people before degrading their intelligence. (And a word of advice, if you are going to tell people you are smarter than them, make sure you proofread your post as atrocious spelling tends to make you look quite the opposite.)

2.) I will admit that I cringe when I see the cheerleaders coming, although this is true with any large group, especially large groups of teenagers. I have had too many bad experiences with them, believe me, it is not a good feeling being mobbed when you are in a cumbersome costume with poor vision and completely unable to get away or defend yourself, and this has happened to me with large groups. I have known several characters who were injured by cheerleaders, and have witnessed more than my fair share of stupidity by high schoolers during grad nights. I know that not all are like that, but I cannot help but be wary of any large group of young people.

3.) At one point I planned to work full time in entertainment (I may still do so), not because I lacked ambition, but because I absolutely loved my job. The only thing that kept me from doing so was the cost of living in Orlando as compared to the paycheck. As it is, I plan to return to Orlando as soon as I get my degree and either work for the YES Program or teach and be a character part time. This does not mean that I lack ambition, but that my ambition is to do something that I love and brings happiness to others.

4.) To the previous poster: Your post made me laugh, although I would like to defend the under 30-35 crowd: not all of us feel entitled. The scary thing is, I have already used the phrase "When I was your age" multiple times in the classroom! Earlier in the week my third graders were reading a story that talked about the main character searching a card catalogue for information, and I had to explain to them that when I was their age computers were new so most libraries in schools didn't have them and instead you had to look up the book you wanted in the card catalogue. It was scary, they had absolutely no concept of it, it made me feel old.

And another great post!!!! You are so bright and the future looks good with you in it! Makes me feel a little better aboutthe world and what the younger generation will do with it. I KNOW there are a bunch more like you out there and the good young people outnumber the bad...Thank goodness! :D:
susi

Princess Susi wrote:And another great post!!!! You are so bright and the future looks good with you in it! Makes me feel a little better aboutthe world and what the younger generation will do with it. I KNOW there are a bunch more like you out there and the good young people outnumber the bad...Thank goodness! :D:
susi

I totally agree. :)

I noticed that Uppety has been back, nor has she asked to have her named changed!!

Was it something WE said???

(hehehehe) :flybongo:

I think she signed up for some night courses, so she's too busy to post. (Spelling 101, maybe?)

Ms. Matterhorn wrote:I think she signed up for some night courses, so she's too busy to post. (Spelling 101, maybe?)

Since she is going to be a doctor, maybe she is taking gross anatomy.

Or first aid? I remember the first time I gave CPR for real and heard the rib cage crack! (guy was DOA!!)

Eeyore's Butterfly, I wasn't saying 30somethings were entitled; I've seen people from my generation and before do the entitlement thing. Yeah, one time one of my nieces had an assignment from school to interview a person who lived in the 30s and 40s, and of course she interviewed mom. I can just guess what effect that assignment had on those kids! Imagine, gas for 10 cents a gallon! Calling from a payphone cost a nickel! Bread was 15 cents a loaf!

I remember I was at the train when a group of school kids came to ride, and since the train was out, I talked to the kids about the train. I mentioned that when I was a kid, gas was 25 cents a gallon, a comic book was 15 cents, candy ranged from a penny to 15 cents. You should've seen the stunned looks on their faces! Priceless!