A REALLY long commute...

[BRWombat]

From NotAlwaysRight.com:

(At the theme park I work at, our name tags have our hometown on them. Despite the fact that I have lived in Orlando since I was an infant, my name tag says I am from Uruguay, since that is where I was born.)

[INDENT]Guest: “It’s so terrible they make you work here.”

Me: “I actually quite enjoy my job. I like seeing people enjoy their vacations.”

Guest: “Yeah, but what about your vacation?”

Me: “My vacation?”

Guest: “They shouldn’t ruin your vacation by making you work.”

Me: “No, I think you misunderstand. I work here. I live in the area, and I go to school down the road. The park isn’t my vacation; it’s my job, and I enjoy it.”

Guest: “Oh, honey., do they tell you to lie? You’re from Uruguay; it would be stupid to commute all this way for a job.”[/INDENT]

[Zazu]

From NotAlwaysRight.com:

(At the theme park I work at, our name tags have our hometown on them. Despite the fact that I have lived in Orlando since I was an infant, my name tag says I am from Uruguay, since that is where I was born.)
<snip>
Guest: “Oh, honey., do they tell you to lie? You’re from Uruguay; it would be stupid to commute all this way for a job.”[/INDENT]

Hey, at least he doesn't have to swim to work every day like the Disney Cruise Line cast!

[Widget]

At least the guest knew that Uruguay to Florida would be a long commute. Most Americans have no clue as to where Canada is let alone a country in South America. So either the guest was not an American suffering from jet lag or an American with only a few functioning brain cells.

[Mouseshooter]

I think using your hometown on your name tag is a great way to increase CM/guest interaction. I have had many guests comment, "oh, you're from Germany". I respond in a horrible German accent that, yes, I am, but no one could understand me, so I just do without the accent, the second sentence transitioning back to accent free English. Gets laughs and establishes that all important guest connection.

[YANXWIN]

I love to visit with people based on their hometown. I haven't traveled near as much as Hobie, but it is fun to visit and talk about someone's "stompin grounds." I especially like to walk up to someone born in Brasil and start talking in Portuguese. It gets some pretty funny looks.

[hobie16]

I think using your hometown on your name tag is a great way to increase CM/guest interaction.

It is. We were standing in line for Nemo and I noticed a name tag that listed a resort area just north of us on the CM taking care of strollers. We ended up discussing burger joints in West Maui.