Gotta keep in mind... They're not actually TRYING to piss me off...

[Big Wallaby]

So there I was, riding with guests on a car of a Monorail going to work the platform at Epcot. Family gets talking, and the mom says, "After we arrive at Essot, we'll get off the tram, go on the dome ride, then Flyin', Mission to Mars, Fast Track and on the Canada Omnimax and the American Adventure Boat Ride where we'll get a Churro cake." Thing is, they were looking at a map that had all the attraction names on it.

It was all I could do not to laugh. Just kept staring out the window, biting my lip. It's one thing to get one or two attractions wrong, but all of them while looking at a guide? And I'm not even going to get into the whole Monorail/Tram thing...

It's almost as good as when I get people who get in the front cab, I greet them and get silence in return. Then, after a bit, one asks a question (not to me) about whether anyone is driving. As I start to answer, one of the other guests talks over me about how I don't actually drive, I am just there to monitor the systems (or take over in an emergency, whatever), and they'll even occasionally talk over me as I try to give the correct information. That's usually about the time I go ahead and get an overspeed. When they ask what's going on, I'll tell them I accidentally sped and the computer stopped me... Usually interesting to see how they respond to that... especially if they continue thinking it's all automated. It's always amazing to me when people act like I am not there after I say hello. As EmptyCinema can tell you, I am not exactly quiet about it. It amazes me that they can talk over me and act like they don't hear me... until I do something abnormal.

New Years Week is almost over...

[reendan]

Aww, hang in there Wallaby! I know what you mean though. I teach 5th graders and they talk right over me like I am not there on a regular basis. I think it is a societal thing nowadays really....a few years back it was not as common as it is now. I think they don't even realize they do it! I have one particular student who never listens to a thing I say..talks to friends etc while I am teaching or giving directions. Before vacation I had a talk with him and told him that from now on I am not re-teaching or repeating directions for him if he is talking when I am teaching. I told him that it will be his responsibility to listen and if he doesn't that it will also be his responsibility to figure out what he is supposed to do. If he listens and just doesn't understand that is another thing, I'll be glad to help him.

Just think, the crowds are going home soon and it won't be as crazy for you.

We are hoping to come back to WDW in June/July and I will have to make sure we look for you if we do...we won't talk over you :) My husband will drive you nuts with questions about how everything works though..be warned ;)

Edited to add: Oh and that description of that family with everything wrong cracked me up! I think I have seen that family at WDW! I am amazed whenever I see that kind of thing.

[goofyjoe]

So there I was, riding with guests on a car of a Monorail going to work the platform at Epcot. Family gets talking, and the mom says, "After we arrive at Essot, we'll get off the tram, go on the dome ride, then Flyin', Mission to Mars, Fast Track and on the Canada Omnimax and the American Adventure Boat Ride where we'll get a Churro cake." Thing is, they were looking at a map that had all the attraction names on it.

Perhaps they were channeling the Magic Kingdom of, say, 1990. I still remember when I was eight years old and we did Mission to Mars and Delta Dreamflight. Since then, they've done one thing right with those rides (Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin) and one thing wrong (Stitch's Great Mistake).

That is pretty priceless, though. Did they say they were going to Universal afterwards for the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster? :p:

[hobie16]

I've been reduced to the role of chauffeur for my daughter and her friends. I am to pick them up on time and not speak unless spoken to.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Hey BW, next time that happens and they ask "whats wrong?" you could tell them that everything IS computer controlled, but one of your borg implants was malfunctioning, and you had an overspeed that the collective noted!!!


hehehehehehe

[ktulu]

I've been reduced to the role of chauffeur for my daughter and her friends. I am to pick them up on time and not speak unless spoken to.

That means you tell embarrassing stories from her early childhood, correct?

[hhsrat]

Or just stop the train. When they ask what happened, just say that HAL/Jane stopped the train and wanted to prove his/her existence.

[hobie16]

That means you tell embarrassing stories from her early childhood, correct?

I save those for special occasions. :D: It works out pretty good being ignored. They forget I'm there and occasionally spill the beans on something I wouldn't hear about otherwise.

[Big Wallaby]

Or just stop the train. When they ask what happened, just say that HAL/Jane stopped the train and wanted to prove his/her existence.

Problem is, by the time it gets to that point, I've stopped really caring what they think. Half the time, if they ask what's wrong, I'll respond that I'm not really sure, or I'll answer one-worded: Overspeed. I can also have fun at their request, when I spiel to the people behind me at a hold point. Especially fun when I get done and they say something like, "Wow, I always thought that was automated!"

I' just grin.

[GaTechGal]

I just think it's RUDE not to at least TRY and include everyone in the vehicle in conversation. That includes ME if I'm driving the kids around. And I HATE when they put in the stupid earphones and can't hear me when I speak to them. ARRGGGG.