Would you be weirded out if...

[the1nonlysinger]

another guest asked you to be in their memory video?

Here's the background to my question:
DH & I just reached double digits on our countdown. We're going as a celebration of our 5th wedding anniversary & my 30th birthday. Slowly brainstorming creative ideas to make our trip extra magical.

Most recent idea: Asking fellow guests who are also wearing Anniversary buttons to share their favorite marriage advice. I'd like to tape them with my camera and then compile them together after our trip for a cute little video.

Now hear me out, I'm not planning to spend my whole vacation stalking down other people. But just if we're waiting in line and strike up a conversation, or sitting next to a couple in a restaurant, that sort of thing. Instances where we're already just waiting- where it would be a welcomed distraction.

I've thought about having a business card that people can email if they want to see the finished product... But I'm well aware that some people may not like the idea of being filmed or having it posted online.

Has anyone ever done something like this before? How did it turn out? Any (friendly) suggestions?

 

[the1nonlysinger]

Well since Iam now onto my fifth wife,Iam the last person to give marriage advice.

LOL Surely you've learned a few things along the way? (hopefully?)

 

[ShookieJones]

So, I'll be honest here. I actually looked for a delete thread button. I thought maybe I've made a horrible mistake by posting this here. I was hoping to have encouragement and extra ideas, rather than being discouraged and disappointed. I know I did ask the question- so thank you to everyone who joined in the conversation. I'm just a really creative person and it's discouraging when doing something away from the beaten path can't be appreciated.

Let me ask-- to those of you who said you would be weirded out: If you were to strike up a conversation with someone at the parks and they happen to ask you during the conversation for your marriage advice (without a video camera)- would that still creep you out? My husband and I really enjoy the interactions we have with other guests while we're there. And I would hope that their friendly conversations with us during our trip might be as much added magic for them, as it would be for us.

Don't sweat the responses too much. I ALWAYS strike up conversations with people. 90 percent of the time I get good reactions. I will say this though, the conversations usually start with me being loud with some off handed comment and then getting a "hey that's funny or interesting" look or comment from the other person, then a conversation starts. If I get a "hey you're weird or I'm insulted" look I will hang my head in shame and scurry away......Not really but you get the picture.

Here is the thing with your idea. We live in a horribly suspicious society. Everyone is trying to scam you or steal your children or do you some kind of harm. My guess is that the world really isn't that different from what it used to be -- there are probably just as many nutcases per capita as there were 40 years ago we just have better access to all the freaks in the world. If someone gets killed by their neighbor in a cornfield in A$$crack, Nebraska at 10am, we know about it and have live video feed by 10:05AM. pretty soon we don't trust our neighbors or cornfields. You're scenario of filming folks and their opinions is innocent but it's probably been the basis of some serial killer movie where the person doing the filming is setting up a video library of their next victims .

I've of course mentioned the most extreme situations of why people would be weirded out. However just as likely is most people don't want to be the subject matter of some "Jack A$$ part3" direct to video DVD or find themselves the star of next autotuned video montage of Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend" song on youtube either.

Then there is people who just don't want to be bothered on their vacations.

If you were part of any "official Disney\ABC you're going to be on TV or in a Movie" type of project and you asked people to do this you'd get more people that would want to do this and the reactions would be different.
Since you're not doing something 'official' people would automatically get suspicious of your intentions and what you're going to do with the video, which is how posters here responded.


So I get everyone's reactions but with that being said - I also get what you're trying to do and I think the "idea" isn't a bad one - just perhaps one that is "out of time" a bit?

Again don't sweat it or let it deter you from trying it, the people here are just giving you a good gauge as to what you might expect if you do.

 

[mamamouse]

well If I was there n you asked me I'd do it,I think its neat.

 

[Lynne M]

\
Let me ask-- to those of you who said you would be weirded out: If you were to strike up a conversation with someone at the parks and they happen to ask you during the conversation for your marriage advice (without a video camera)- would that still creep you out? My husband and I really enjoy the interactions we have with other guests while we're there. And I would hope that their friendly conversations with us during our trip might be as much added magic for them, as it would be for us.

I would find it very strange, and kind of intrusive, if a total stranger asked me a question like that. A good friend, a relative, sure. But someone I've never met until they started talking to me in a theme park attraction line? No. And even if I did offer a suggestion (probably just to humor the person so they'd stop asking me personal questions), and they then asked me to be in their anniversary video, yeah, then I'd be kinda creeped out, and kinda sorry I'd gotten into that line.

You don't know other people's personal situations. For someone who's struggling in a relationship, or whose partner is ill, that can be a painful question to be asked. Just because a couple is wearing anniversary buttons doesn't mean everything is happy-bunnies-and-sunshine in their lives.

 

[Nemo14]

I would be happy to talk to you, but I'd definitely refuse the video thing.

 

[Lynne M]

So, I'll be honest here. I actually looked for a delete thread button. I thought maybe I've made a horrible mistake by posting this here. I was hoping to have encouragement and extra ideas, rather than being discouraged and disappointed. I know I did ask the question- so thank you to everyone who joined in the conversation. I'm just a really creative person and it's discouraging when doing something away from the beaten path can't be appreciated.

But wouldn't you rather know ahead of time if your approach might not be well received?

You did ask for opinions, and it's a good thing that you did, IMO. Your idea requires the cooperation of strangers, and since you're going to ask people to take time away from their vacations to be the cast of your anniversary video, in a very personal way, I think you did the smart thing by posting here. Now you can adjust your plan, and come up with an even better idea!

 

[Blueskyze]

If we were chatting in a line, I wouldn't be weirded out at all. Since it seems like most people don't like the idea of being on camera, how about this idea? You could take a Disney autograph book, and after having the conversation with people, you could ask them to write their "words of wisdom" in the book, and sign it maybe with their first names, # of years married, and the town they are from? Not as creative as a video, but it could still be a cool souvenir.

Best of luck and Happy (early) Anniversary!

 

[the1nonlysinger]

You don't know other people's personal situations. For someone who's struggling in a relationship, or whose partner is ill, that can be a painful question to be asked. Just because a couple is wearing anniversary buttons doesn't mean everything is happy-bunnies-and-sunshine in their lives.

This is a very good point- MOST marriages aren't happy-bunnies-and-sunshine. But I think ALL marriages- whether struggling or not- would have learned a few life lessons along the way. Whether or not people are comfortable sharing that with a stranger is really the question. But where else do you feel comfortable handing your camera to a complete stranger to take a photo of your family? WDW is a totally different place, which is why I even considered it. From my experience, a lot of people jump to share advice when they find out people are newlyweds. I had no idea that this thread would garnish such a reaction!!

But wouldn't you rather know ahead of time if your approach might not be well received?

You did ask for opinions, and it's a good thing that you did, IMO. Your idea requires the cooperation of strangers, and since you're going to ask people to take time away from their vacations to be the cast of your anniversary video, in a very personal way, I think you did the smart thing by posting here. Now you can adjust your plan, and come up with an even better idea!

I never really pictured this taking away from anyone's vacations- but those times where we're all standing/sitting there like zombies waiting for a ride/parade/show and have run out of conversation topics with our own families. Consider it a homemade next-gen queue. lol Not to justify my original idea- but I just envisioned celebrating other couples and the anniversaries that they are celebrating as well! I am very open to other ideas--which is why I posted this here to begin with. So far few of the criticisms have been accompanied with ideas for alternatives!

If we were chatting in a line, I wouldn't be weirded out at all. Since it seems like most people don't like the idea of being on camera, how about this idea? You could take a Disney autograph book, and after having the conversation with people, you could ask them to write their "words of wisdom" in the book, and sign it maybe with their first names, # of years married, and the town they are from? Not as creative as a video, but it could still be a cool souvenir.

Best of luck and Happy (early) Anniversary!

THANK YOU! This is EXACTLY the type of thing that I was hoping for. I love that idea!!


To everyone else, I'm sorry I haven't gotten a chance to respond to everyone yet- but I have to get back to work. Will respond later when I have a chance

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I think a lot would agree to it. I would if we were chatting in line and I had nowhere else to be. I think many would feel put on the spot, though, and would give generic and/or jocular answers due to discomfort. You'll get a lot of advice like, "Keep coming back to Disney World, tee hee!"

 

[Lynne M]

This is a very good point- MOST marriages aren't happy-bunnies-and-sunshine. But I think ALL marriages- whether struggling or not- would have learned a few life lessons along the way. Whether or not people are comfortable sharing that with a stranger is really the question. But where else do you feel comfortable handing your camera to a complete stranger to take a photo of your family? WDW is a totally different place, which is why I even considered it.

Ah, but there's a big difference between a stranger asking me to snap a picture, and a stranger asking me to talk about my marriage. It's the 'asking' part that people are having trouble with, I think. It's one thing if someone offers to share some wisdom they've gained through their marriage. It's another thing if someone they met two minutes ago is suddenly conducting an interview on their marital philosophy.

From my experience, a lot of people jump to share advice when they find out people are newlyweds.

Well, I think you've got your solution right there. Keep that autograph book with you, and if someone offers a bit of marital wisdom, pass them the book and ask them to add their advice. If they're super outgoing and friendly, I bet they'd even be willing to videotaped.

 

[rkelly42]

I have no problem talking with other in the in lines or anywhere in the parks(except the bathroom), but would probably not want to be videotaped. Would be a little concerned of the intentions of such video, not saying you have bad intentions, but in todays society you never can be to careful when it comes to things such as that.

 

[Susan Savia]

I probably wouldn't object to a conversation and mentioning some advice, BUT I don't think I'd like being in someones video, like that.

 

[real mad hatter]

LOL Surely you've learned a few things along the way? (hopefully?)

Yeh, My first wife was Snow White but she wouldn't bite my apple,then I married Cinderella but she couldn't dance in those silly glass slippers,then I hitched up with Belle but she divorced me saying I was a beast.Then I got married to Aerial but she bought a waterbed and we drifted apart.Now Iam married to Jasmine and its true love at last,our carpet is still flying high.

 

[LuLaSue]

Yeh, My first wife was Snow White but she wouldn't bite my apple,then I married Cinderella but she couldn't dance in those silly glass slippers,then I hitched up with Belle but she divorced me saying I was a beast.Then I got married to Aerial but she bought a waterbed and we drifted apart.Now Iam married to Jasmine and its true love at last,our carpet is still flying high.

You rock Hatter!!! LOL

 

[JIMINYCR]

It depends on the person, it wouldn't weird me out at all. I think it is creative and inventive. The people who take chances are the ones who make the magic!

Hey... If me & my wife were at the park and you asked, we would join in. Why not? We've had a good married life and have made it through some tough troubled times. If a comment or two would help someone out or at least make them think more about their relationship, why not. Go ahead and try it out. I think you will get some refusals but also plenty of married couples who would join in.

 

[Todd L]

I had to admit I'm a bit disappointed by the responses... (To be honest, I kind of went with the weirded out subject line to bring to people to read it... I wonder if people would have responded differently had I presented it in a different light?) I'm pretty outgoing, my hubby is more reserved. But even he said- he thought people at Disney of all places would be receptive to the idea.

I should preface it by saying, I wouldn't just approach somebody randomly and ask them first thing to be in a video. Here's how I picture it going. We're standing in line- and right near us is a couple with anniversary pins. I strike up a conversation- congratulating them and asking them how many years they are celebrating. (Much like I would compliment someone's purse, tshirt or accessory- which I do frequently and it usually turns into a conversation...) Then I would tell them that we're putting together a little video with couples we meet throughout our vacation- sharing their marriage advice- and ask if they'd like to contribute. No pressure- no harm done if they say no. We still met a nice couple. Maybe it's just me, but I don't see that being all that scary?

I originally thought about just striking up conversations like that and writing their advice down and asking if I could take their photo to accompany the advice in an album. But I was worried that keeping track of each photo with the advice would become overwhelming- and that it would be so much cooler to see them say it themselves...

Does that change your feelings on it?

I think it would depend on how I was approached!! If someone shoved a camera in my face and said...WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT MARRIAGE..id be taken back But, if someone told me what they were doing and asked If id like to speak Id be a little more comfortable.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

For me it would purely depend on the situation and how the subject was started. I love to talk to people and am normally pretty outgoing, but I think it would all depend on where we're talking and how it wound up in the conversation. i.e. if the question flowed well and seemed in line with the rest of our discussion- I probably wouldn't bat an eyelash...but I also don't think I'd be too keen on having my response recorded. i.e. it takes casual conversation to a more formal place- which suddenly makes something casual turn awkward.

 

[the1nonlysinger]

it takes casual conversation to a more formal place- which suddenly makes something casual turn awkward.

That is a great way of putting it. Thank you! I will strive to keep my conversations casual! We want this to be something fun for everyone- not just us.


I'm definitely leaning towards the autograph book idea instead of the video. If anyone else has any other ideas, please share!!!

 

[kimberlymautz]

I'm with you, I'm kind of surprised so many people would be against it. I might think it's a little weird, but I would still probably do it if I were asked to...

 

[Britt]

I totally wouldn't be weirded out and would have no problem being recorded