Stupid Guest Tricks

Washington apparently has no official language, but it seems that even here, more and more official government pamphlets, etc. are being put out in multiple languages.

Now, I happen to like Korean food and I frequently go to a Korean supermarket in the area called Pal-Do World. I'm not sure if all the cashiers speak English or if it's a requirement to work there. They all speak Korean, though. Do I expect them to cater to me, a very white, German-Irish person? No. I know what I'm in there to buy and I find it on my own. The prices, fortunately, are in Hangul [sp] and English, so it's not a problem there. But I would never expect them to make accommodations for me, just as I don't think we have to make accommodations for everyone who doesn't speak English. I'm working on my "survival Korean" and I know enough to be be polite (please and thank you aren't hard). The difference I've noticed here, though, is that that most of the Korean community is willing to learn English, whereas the Hispanic community here doesn't bother.

Don't you think this is kinda getting off the original topic?

The SG in the OP DID speak english, but he failed to translate for his kids. Is it really fair to ask 8-10 year-olds to learn english before coming to WDW? Personally, I'm fine with the father in an international family renting the "Ears to the World" for the rest of his family, as long as he knows enough english to get by. When I went to France when I was 14, I did not know enough French to get by, but I made sure to hang out with people who did.

Now, the father understanding what the CM said in English, not bothering to do anything about it, and then getting mad when the same thing was repeated in Spanish, that's worthy of a SGT.

The only problem with that is no one really knows where the family was from. I have guests I know to be locals (I look at their IDs at check in) and they still try to use that ploy of not knowing English. Even though I heard their kids use it not five minutes earlier outside. Granted, the parents may not totally understand it but if you are a local person, there has to be some grasp of it or you wouldn't get very far here. So this father could have been snowing the CM from the beginning.

I don't totally know but can you go to DW and not know a single word of English? How would a family get around the resort? Most signs and spiels are in English too, right?

EpcotGolfer wrote:Don't you think this is kinda getting off the original topic?

The SG in the OP DID speak english, but he failed to translate for his kids.
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Now, the father understanding what the CM said in English, not bothering to do anything about it, and then getting mad when the same thing was repeated in Spanish, that's worthy of a SGT.

Thanks for stating this! I was thinking the same as I read through these posts. I believe in the maxim 'the customer is always right' insofar as their personal safety, or the safety of those around them, come to bear. I would have loved to be the Guest Relations CM when the guy came in to complain. "So, when you translated the request to get off the wall to your children, did they follow your instructions?"

If a person comes to visit America without knowing English: Welcome! Enjoy your visit! Understand your experience may not be as rich as if you could communicate with us, but we can be patient and gracious if you are patient and gracious to us. Want to move here and make this country your residence, then learn our language for all public discourse. Preserve your heritage at home and in your community, but remember the US is a melting pot of cultures, not a tossed salad.

The thing that irritates me the most is those who use knowledge of other languages (spoken or signed) as a 'secret code' to exclude others or speak about them without their knowledge. The SG of the OP was probably so embarrassed by being caught in his charade, that it morphed into an extreme anger against the CM and resulted in the complaint.

I agree that CM have a choice of wearing the flag pins on their badges, but even I, could say "Alto, por favor" (which, if I'm not mistaken, means "Stop, please"). As the OP CM stated, they were asked to be careful how they relate to the guests. While I don't believe the CM did anything wrong, it is our job to always show the best face and think smarter than the average guest.

I agree completely with your assessment.

Oh man, did I ever have an issue with this during my CP. In fact, one comes to mind now. I was working Cinderellabration (RIP :) ). It was before the parade, so the ramps were both open. All of a sudden, this kid comes darting up the little stone steps that lead to the stage from the ground. He is now running around on the stage, and starts running up the side platform (with the rising platform for Mickey and Minnie). Me and the other attendants are calling to him, but he is ignoring us (he is about 5-7). His mom is still on the ground calling for him. I now get on the stage and try to grab his hand, but he keeps pulling away and going higher. So finally, as a last resort, I pick him up and carry him off the stage. Well, apparently this did not sit too well with Mommy and Daddy (who didn't even bother trying to get him down). They complained to a Fantasyland Ops cordinator and, get this, claimed "I tripped him or something of that nature". Luckily I had people back me up, cause they were just trying to get something comped. I know I probably shouldn't have picked him up, but he was going to fall off the stage.

(Sorry for the long post).

LittleDollClaudia wrote:I don't totally know but can you go to DW and not know a single word of English?

People do it all the time, trust me. How much they get out of it is subject to questions, but they certainly show up.

LittleDollClaudia wrote:I have guests I know to be locals (I look at their IDs at check in) and they still try to use that ploy of not knowing English. Even though I heard their kids use it not five minutes earlier outside. Granted, the parents may not totally understand it but if you are a local person, there has to be some grasp of it or you wouldn't get very far here. So this father could have been snowing the CM from the beginning.

Sadly, this wouldn't hold true here in FL. At one of the local Kissimmee Wal-Marts, I have quite literally had to go through three workers to find someone who speaks English. These are EMPLOYED ADULTS at an American store who apparently have no grasp other than to say, "No English" and shrug their shoulders when I try to ask a question.

We were at Babies R Us, and asked an employee there about something. She responded in such broken english that she eventually just walked away from me and my wife when she looked at me and she could tell that I had no idea what she was trying to piece together in her limited english.

When we checked out and they asked my favorite question, "did you find everything okay?" (why, yes, grouping like items together was brilliant!), I responded with "barely..." but didn't feel like explaining.

LittleDollClaudia wrote: I don't totally know but can you go to DW and not know a single word of English? How would a family get around the resort? Most signs and spiels are in English too, right?

Yes, and my in-laws will be there (with us) next month, my apologies in advance. :twisted: My MIL speaks some English and tries hard, my FIL speaks little to no English, my Aunt-IL speaks no English, and my BIL speaks some English. I don't speak French which is always fun. DH obviously speaks French and will translate for his family, he also speaks English without an accent so that's a bonus. Our kids speak Franglish.

I promise not to let them act too stupid though! ;)