So a guest called me a racist yesterday,

[Jaws_Skipper]

on my ride we have 2 different kinds of rv's: regular ones with 8 rows of 6 seats, and ADA boats with 7 rows of 6 and a row of 4 plus space for a wheelchair. At the time I was working both pre-board and load, and I had loaded up a the proper amount for a regular boat which is what showed up, aonly to have it's radio fault and need to be taken off. all this gets done and the next boat comes to load, an ADA boat. I open the gates as usual and immediately start preboarding the next boat. when I notice that two people in row 7 are standing next to a row and that there was no more room on the boat. I approach the woman and asked her if she'd be willing to step back behind the gates so that I could dispatch the boat and get her on the next one. and she just opened the flood gates, berating me for Yadda yadda yadda this and that but moved behind the gate. I dispatched the boat and tried to reason with her. What had actually happened was that the folks that didnt have a seat in row 8 moved to row 7 and took this lady's seat (a fact that became clear to me after the altercation) my head was still trying to figure out what the F#$& happened when she starts yelling at me for not moving people outta row 7 for her and that she had an express pass so she deserved special treatment. Then she droped the bomb, saying that I let the folks steal her seat because she was "black" and the other folks were "fat, white" people and accusing me that the entire event was motivated completely on my part because she believed me a racist. I excused myself at this point because I'm still developing my SG "armor" so to speak and got a lead involved.

all that happened was that I was that we had 2 people too many in a row and i tried to do what I could to get the boat out and bring another one in, thats all. but this SG had to play the damn race card.

if this didnt make sense, im sorry I'm still really pissed at that woman for insulting me the way she did.

[Big Wallaby]

Hi Jaws,

I could comment on quite a few things here, but I want to focus on the last thing you said. By becoming upset, an understandable response, you did let her play you a little. It's good you got your lead involved and passed her up the chain, so to speak. However, I would have to say one of the important things here is to not take it personally. There were things you didn't realize going on, and therefore things of which you were not in control. It's similar to if I pulled up in a bus and someone thought I was racist because their skin color is different from mine and the last bus was there 45 minutes ago, and I must have been waiting to come because I am racist. Never mind the circumstance that I went there per dispatch, and it's because of the dispatcher that the resort or stop they are standing at hasn't been serviced recently, that makes me racist.

At that point, the guest was taking her frustration about the situation out on you, and personalizing it in a way meant to push your buttons, just as it would be meant to push anyone's buttons. To be called racist is a horrible stigma, and as such is used to cut. Basically, if you know you are not racist, and you do not judge her differently because her skin color is different than yours, then you are not racist by any good definition. You have to know that and hold onto that, or else it will get to you, and you will find yourself analyzing yourself every time someone says something nasty about you. As one of my trainers told me the first day of driving training (yesterday), "I don't care what your opinion of me is. If you don't like me, [BLANK] you. I don't have to eat with you, drink with you, go home to you or sleep with you. At the end of the day, I don't really even know you." Some drivers here will recognize exactly whom I speak of.

On the issue of people crowding into the wrong line, use this as an example of how guests will go about not following directions at any turn they are allowed to do so. While that is not your fault, it is something of which to be vigilant. That group wasn't the first, and I would bet money if I had it that they won't be the last. I am sure your leaders would have good advice in this regard

It sounds like you are new at this, as am I. But I believe my advice is sound: Don't take anything any guest says personally, unless it's something you want to take personally, like a thank you or a hug.

[Jaws_Skipper]

thanx for the advice.
the lady's still stuck in my head but I aint mad anymore at least.

you would have thought that 4 years in the armed forces woulda prepared me for something like that but oh well; tomorrow's another day. :)

[Big Wallaby]

First, thank you for your service. I can't say enough for and about our soldiers.

When you're in the field and it's bullets, it's not personal. You're just a target, and it's "just" the business of war.

An insult by a guest is always personal. They want to put the bad things that happen on someone's shoulders, and you are the first person with a nametag they see. Solution to their problem: It's your fault.

[hobie16]

Two responses. "That madam is merely your opinion.”

As Richard Pryor responded while sticking a .38 into a guy's face after being called a “damn nigger” in Silver Streak, “I oughtta slap the taste right outta your mouth.”

I like the second but the first should keep you out of trouble.

[Jaws_Skipper]

yeah, I dont think I've been there long enough to get away with that.

[AlpineDL]

"Sorry, you're obviously nice people who don't steal other people's seats. Those folks weren't, so I'll get you on the next boat and make sure the right seats are set up."

Works every time. The "you're obviously nice" part completely deflates any impending tantrum.

[darph nader]

Reminds me of years ago.
Customer comes to rent a tile saw. I exlpain about the blade wear charges.So far,so good.
Sure as shit he goes over the minimum charge.
He storms into the office,and tells the secretary that "He hates Mexicans". :mad:
The secretary,(who's native american,btw) tells him, "That would be a 'good' trick,he's married to a Mexican".
He ponied up.

[Driver_dylan]

I will give you the secret phrase that at jaws will defuse all from back in my days as a skipper pulling doubles at Jaws and EQ. Look the guest in the eyes and say the following. "I'm sorry, but that boat didn't have the proper chum, I mean Life vests for you." :twisted:
It sounds strainge and by the time they figure out what you might have ment by it, the next boat is there. Try it.
PS: Don't forget the golden rule at Jaws, Don't bash Red Lobster. :D:
PPS: Tell Tim, DC Says Hi

[ktulu]

Look the guest in the eyes and say the following. "I'm sorry, but that boat didn't have the proper chum, I mean Life vests for you."

That is assuming the SG even knows what chum is and how it relates to sharks :)