Bus spiels?

[MickeyTigg]

I have never personally had a problem with foreign bus drivers. I have had a few people who were obviously not from the United States, but I didn't have a problem understanding them or hearing what they were saying.

There's no way of knowing where they are from...they likely live in the US in order to legally work in the US they are either legal aliens or US citizens...making them "from the United States". Just because they aren't born in the US doesn't mean they aren't Americans.

 

[tigsmom]

You may as well of said I am not racist but I will make a racist comment anyway! :hammer:
If you ran Disney Transport you would have been fired in 2mins for being racist, bringing the system to a standstill if they removed all people you didn't understand when they spoke, and for getting Disney in some deep legal and media crap.
The main job of these people is drive buses not be tour guides! Do they drive you safely to were you want to be? Yes! so they are doing their job. If they install a automated system it would be better as it would be a clear and standard, that way everyone can understand. Some southern american accents are hard for me to understand but I don't think that Disney should put them all in dish washing jobs because they have an accent I cant understand.

Very good post! :sohappy:

Let me add that I have never had a problem understanding a driver because of a heavy accent. If I notice an accent then I just pay closer attention to what is being said.

So a few words are not pronounced the way I usually pronounce them (now I'm from NY so I know I have an accent)- thats what makes the world go around. What matters to me is that we arrive safely and in a timely manner.

We had a driver with a Spanish accent driving our bus one night on the way back from the MK this past August... if not for his driving skills we would have been involved in a multicar collision due to the fact that a pickup truck decided to not yield to oncoming traffic.
His skills are what I remember, not the way he "mispronounced" a few words.

 

[TAC]

Ah, but in what language order should the drivers say the destinations or whatever they have to say?

Also what about Russian, Farsi, Romanian, Hawaiian, Algonquan, Eskomo, Hatian, Hebrew, Vietnamese, etc ?

:animwink:

You need to also remember that WDW is an international vacation destination...should all bus drivers speak French, German, Portuguese, Chinese and Japanese too?

 

[wannab@dis]

I think some posters need to take a deep breath and relax. Saying people should be able to speak decent English while working in a customer contact position is NOT a racist comment. Get off the politically correct bandwagon.

I also miss the days when the bus drivers talked, joked, and had trivia on the bus rides.

 

[Shaman]

I think some posters need to take a deep breath and relax. Saying people should be able to speak decent English while working in a customer contact position is NOT a racist comment. Get off the politically correct bandwagon.

Move WDW to a different state then. :wave:

 

[HauntedPirate]

English is the official language of the USA. I respect the right for everyone to speak whatever language they desire amongst family members, friends, etc. But when conducting business in the US, WDW being amongst those, my opinion is that you need to be able to speak English on some sort of "acceptable" level. What that level is, I cannot say. If I were to travel to Paris, or Berlin, I would not, and do not, expect anyone there to speak English just so I didn't have to learn the native language.

Having a pre-recorded spiel on the busses, I feel, would eliminate some confusion amongst passengers in certain situations. However, you are ultimately responsible for knowing where you are going and where to get off. That being said, it would be nice to somehow make sure the bus drivers change their signs prior to pulling into, say, the MK bus loading area. Several times during our recent trip we had to ask the driver where he was going, because the bus signage said "Magic Kingdom". Yeah, we're already here and want to go back to our resort, where are you going?

 

[wannab@dis]

Move WDW to a different state then. :wave:

What? :veryconfu

Why is it being racist to want people in customer contact positions to have decent english speaking capabilities?

Additionally... I'm not talking about accents only. An accent is not a problem as long as it is not so heavy that understanding is an issue.

 

[TAC]

NO it is NOT! There has never been an "official" language for the United States.

English is the official language of the USA. I respect the right for everyone to speak whatever language they desire amongst family members, friends, etc. But when conducting business in the US, WDW being amongst those, my opinion is that you need to be able to speak English on some sort of "acceptable" level. What that level is, I cannot say. If I were to travel to Paris, or Berlin, I would not, and do not, expect anyone there to speak English just so I didn't have to learn the native language.

 

[Thrawn]

English is the official language of the USA.

The United States has no official language. The rest of your post is disregarded.

 

[Shaman]

What? :veryconfu

Why is it being racist to want people in customer contact positions to have decent english speaking capabilities?

Additionally... I'm not talking about accents only. An accent is not a problem as long as it is not so heavy that understanding is an issue.

And how does ANY of that apply to the bus drivers of WDW? I have yet to meet one bus driver that was difficult to understand. If such a person exists...they are the exception to the rule...and by no means the reason behind adding spiels.

 

[Thrawn]

Saying people should be able to speak decent English while working in a customer contact position is NOT a racist comment.

That is not what he said. He said that people who cannot speak fluent english should only be given certain jobs. That is a racist comment.

 

[mkt]

And now, for the comic relief in a far too tense thread.

Everyone that's posted here needs to get some lovin

Princeton:
Say, Kate, can I ask you a question?

Kate Monster:
Sure!

Princeton:
Well, you know Trekkie Monster upstairs?

Kate Monster:
Uh huh.

Princeton:
Well, he's Trekkie Monster, and you're Kate Monster.

Kate Monster:
Right.

Princeton:
You're both Monsters.

Kate Monster:
Yeah.

Princeton:
Are you two related?

Kate Monster:
What?! Princeton, I'm surprised at you! I find that racist!

Princeton:
Oh, well, I'm sorry! I was just asking!

Kate Monster:
Well, it's a touchy subject.
No, not all Monsters are related.
What are you trying say, huh?
That we all look the same to you?
Huh, huh, huh?

Princeton:
No, no, no, not at all. I'm sorry,
I guess that was a little racist.

Kate Monster:
I should say so. You should be much more
careful when you're talking about the
sensitive subject of race.

Princeton:
Well, look who's talking!

Kate Monster:
What do you mean?

Princeton:
What about that special Monster School you told me about?

Kate Monster:
What about it?

Princeton:
Could someone like me go there?

Kate Monster:
No, we don't want people like you-

Princeton:
You see?!

You're a little bit racist.

Kate Monster:
Well, you're a little bit too.

Princeton:
I guess we're both a little bit racist.

Kate Monster:
Admitting it is not an easy thing to do...

Princeton:
But I guess it's true.

Kate Monster:
Between me and you,
I think

Both:
Everyone's a little bit racist
Sometimes.
Doesn't mean we go
Around committing hate crimes.
Look around and you will find
No one's really color blind.
Maybe it's a fact
We all should face
Everyone makes judgments
Based on race.

Princeton:
Now not big judgments, like who to hire
or who to buy a newspaper from -

Kate Monster:
No!

Princeton:
No, just little judgments like thinking that Mexican
busboys should learn to speak English!

Kate Monster:
Right!

Both:
Everyone's a little bit racist
Today.
So, everyone's a little bit racist
Okay!
Ethinic jokes might be uncouth,
But you laugh because
They're based on truth.
Don't take them as
Personal attacks.
Everyone enjoys them -
So relax!

Princeton:
All right, stop me if you've heard this one.

Kate Monster:
Okay!

Princeton:
There's a plan going down and there's only
one paracute. And there's a rabbi, a priest...

Kate Monster:
And a black guy!

Gary Coleman:
Whatchoo talkin' 'bout Kate?

Kate Monster:
Uh...

Gary Coleman:
You were telling a black joke!

Princeton:
Well, sure, Gary, but lots of people tell black jokes.

Gary Coleman:
I don't.

Princeton:
Well, of course you don't - you're black!
But I bet you tell Polack jokes, right?

Gary Coleman:
Well, sure I do. Those stupid Polacks!

Princeton:
Now, don't you think that's a little racist?

Gary Coleman:
Well, damn, I guess you're right.

Kate Monster:
You're a little bit racist.

Gary Coleman:
Well, you're a little bit too.

Princeton:
We're all a little bit racist.

Gary Coleman:
I think that I would
Have to agree with you.

Princeton/Kate Monster:
We're glad you do.

Gary Coleman:
It's sad but true!
Everyone's a little bit racist -

All right!

Kate Monster:
All right!

Princeton:
All right!

Gary Coleman:
All right!
Bigotry has never been
Exclusively white

All:
If we all could just admit
That we are racist a little bit,
Even though we all know
That it's wrong,
Maybe it would help us
Get along.

Princeton:
Oh, Christ do I feel good.

Gary Coleman:
Now there was a fine upstanding black man!

Princeton:
Who?

Gary Coleman:
Jesus Christ.

Kate Monster:
But, Gary, Jesus was white.

Gary Coleman:
No, Jesus was black.

Kate Monster:
No, Jesus was white.

Gary Coleman:
No, I'm pretty sure that Jesus was black-

Princeton:
Guys, guys...Jesus was Jewish!

Brian:
Hey guys, what are you laughing about?

Gary Coleman:
Racism!

Brian:
Cool.

Christmas Eve:
BRIAN! Come back here!
You take out lecycuraburs!

Princeton:
What's that mean?

Brian:
Um, recyclables.
Hey, don't laugh at her!
How many languages do you speak?

Kate Monster:
Oh, come off it, Brian!
Everyone's a little bit racist.

Brian:
I'm not!

Princeton:
Oh no?

Brian:
Nope!

How many Oriental wives
Have you got?

Christmas Eve:
What? Brian!

Princeton:
Brian, buddy, where you been?
The term is Asian-American!

Christmas Eve:
I know you are no
Intending to be
But calling me Oriental -
Offensive to me!

Brian:
I'm sorry, honey, I love you.

Christmas Eve:
And I love you.

Brian:
But you're racist, too.

Christmas Eve:
Yes, I know.
The Jews have all
The money
And the whites have all
The power.
And I'm always in taxi-cab
With driver who no shower!

Princeton:
Me too!

Kate Monster:
Me too!

Gary Coleman:
I can't even get a taxi!

All:
Everyone's a little bit racist
It's true.
But everyone is just about
As racist as you!
If we all could just admit
That we are racist a little bit,
And everyone stopped being
So PC
Maybe we could live in -
Harmony!

Christmas Eve:
Evlyone's a ritter bit lacist!

 

[mkt]

English is the official language of the USA.

wroooooooong

The United States does not have an official language

While some states have adopted English as the official language, several other states have either not accepted it, or are officially bilingual.

English IS commonly spoken, but don't make the common misconception that English is the official language of the US. It is not.

 

[Thrawn]

Why is it being racist to want people in customer contact positions to have decent english speaking capabilities?

If you want to substitute the word discriminatory, then do that. Whichever way you want to take it, not giving a person a position because of anything except for their qualifications is discrimination. The qualifications for a bus driver are: (these are not exact, but work with me)

Commercial Drivers License
Ability to understand guests
Experience driving busses
Ability to help disabled onto the bus

Nowhere should it be written that English has to be your first language for anything. If they can understand and answer any questions, they are more then qualified.

Maybe its just me, but I thank the bus driver whenever I get off the front of the bus. I've never had one that I couldn't understand say "you're welcome".

 

[HauntedPirate]

Yeah, I found that too. :\

I'm not going to comment further on this "topic". Some of what's being said makes my a bit... irritated.

 

[Shaman]

If you want to substitute the word discriminatory, then do that. Whichever way you want to take it, not giving a person a position because of anything except for their qualifications is discrimination. The qualifications for a bus driver are: (these are not exact, but work with me)

Commercial Drivers License
Ability to understand guests
Experience driving busses
Ability to help disabled onto the bus

Nowhere should it be written that English has to be your first language for anything. If they can understand and answer any questions, they are more then qualified.

Maybe its just me, but I thank the bus driver whenever I get off the front of the bus. I've never had one that I couldn't understand say "you're welcome".

Exactly...

I mean people can hold whatever views they would like about this issue...but to say that Disney bus drivers can't be understood by guests and as a result spiels will be added...is rediculous.

 

[wannab@dis]

Nowhere should it be written that English has to be your first language for anything. If they can understand and answer any questions, they are more then qualified.

And I don't think it was stated anywhere that it had to be a first language. Some posters have been roasted for saying they want to understand CMs they interact with. I don't think they are being a racist for making the statement. I haven't had any bus drivers that I couldn't understand, so for me, it's a mute point.

Maybe its just me, but I thank the bus driver whenever I get off the front of the bus. I've never had one that I couldn't understand say "you're welcome".

Agreed. I always say hello, thanks and goodbye and most have responded and smiled. :wave:

 

[wannab@dis]

Exactly...

I mean people can hold whatever views they would like about this issue...but to say that Disney bus drivers can't be understood by guests and as a result spiels will be added...is rediculous.

Yep, it's ridiculous. :zipit:
:wave:

Don't smack me to hard!

 

[Shaman]

Yep, it's ridiculous. :zipit:
:wave:

Don't smack me to hard!

:lol:

 

[Thrawn]

Yep, it's ridiculous. :zipit:
:wave:

Don't smack me to hard!

We will let that one go if you let moot point go. :wave: