We've got our share of stupid guests at DL Paris, too...
Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 7:58 am
It seems that when DL Paris (then called Euro Disney) hit us over here, 90% of the European (and surrounding) population had no real idea what a BIG theme park was all about. So, while you gouys in the US seem to be battling guests that think they know how to run the whole park, we are having to deal with people who have come across three countries and at leas two language barriers to experience something they have NO clue about in the first place.
Well, who could blame them? DL Paris *is* the first thing of its kind on this side of the globe. :) You know what? I COULD BLAME THEM! :twisted:
I mean, its all cool when its a 75-year-old german grandmother who comes up to you outside Peter Pan and asks wether or not its possible to get a taxi to that location - after all, that is a generation thing. I guess.
BUT: When people from PARIS itself or from a country where american concepts are quite well-known come up to you and say or do similiar things, I honestly don't know that to do but sigh and try my best to put that Disney-smile back on and try to contain myself.
See, this is the sort of people who have no problem watching an american Hollywood picture (maybe a Disney flick!) or eating at McDonalds or doing something arch-typically american that involves the consumer buying into a certain concept of some overseas kind. Usually not a problem for anyone below 60 years of age - especially not if they have some at least rudimentary knowledge of english. And a LOT of europeans do - its taught mandatory in almost all European schools. Plus, every CM at DLP speaks at least fluent french and english and commonly one or two more languages. Typically european.
Still, even though most signs are repeated in four languages and that you could turn to almost any CM and make yourself understood, people do the craziest things.
Well, who could blame them? DL Paris *is* the first thing of its kind on this side of the globe. :) You know what? I COULD BLAME THEM! :twisted:
I mean, its all cool when its a 75-year-old german grandmother who comes up to you outside Peter Pan and asks wether or not its possible to get a taxi to that location - after all, that is a generation thing. I guess.
BUT: When people from PARIS itself or from a country where american concepts are quite well-known come up to you and say or do similiar things, I honestly don't know that to do but sigh and try my best to put that Disney-smile back on and try to contain myself.
See, this is the sort of people who have no problem watching an american Hollywood picture (maybe a Disney flick!) or eating at McDonalds or doing something arch-typically american that involves the consumer buying into a certain concept of some overseas kind. Usually not a problem for anyone below 60 years of age - especially not if they have some at least rudimentary knowledge of english. And a LOT of europeans do - its taught mandatory in almost all European schools. Plus, every CM at DLP speaks at least fluent french and english and commonly one or two more languages. Typically european.
Still, even though most signs are repeated in four languages and that you could turn to almost any CM and make yourself understood, people do the craziest things.