Disney CMs calling guests " Friends"?

LittleBuford

LittleBuford

Well-Known Member
GimpYancIent said:
hear the initial greetings and don't care. The elimination of "Lady's and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls" and "Sir" or "Mam" has actually accomplished nothing nore impacted the experience / expectations of going / being at a Disney Property.
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Why gender can be an issue for some has been amply addressed already, so I won’t go into that, but I’m curious to know in what ways the shift in terminology has (negatively) impacted your experience. Could you clarify?

ETA: I just realised that I missed the “nor” and therefore understood the post to be saying the opposite of what was actually meant. I agree that for most of us, the change isn’t impactful. To my mind, that’s all the more reason to be OK with it, since it costs us nothing while improving things for those who feel excluded by gendered forms of address.
 
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Smiley/OCD

Smiley/OCD

Well-Known Member
LittleBuford said:
STOP THE PRESSES! Walt himself approves this usage!

"Thank you Mr. Ford and hello friends."



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I have used the word friend…it doesn’t make it wrong…the way Walt used it ONCE, acknowledging everyone in the group is fine. Having a TOTAL stranger, using that term on total strangers that they probably will never interact with again, I find disingenuous and creepy.
I’m sure if someone wants to fact-check me, they’ll find times I used the word. When I worked in radio on the air, I called my listeners (whom I had a much closer relationship with) friends, because I spoke to them everyday for 4 hours.
You went and dug up an example of Walt using the word friend to fit your narrative. If that gives you the satisfaction to say you won the argument, fine, you won. Props to you. Calling my customers in retail “friends” is just weird. Calling patrons, guests or customers friends is, in my opinion, creepy.
 
Smiley/OCD

Smiley/OCD

Well-Known Member
LittleBuford said:
I don’t have a narrative, just an opinion. I can’t be criticised for finding an example that shows that Walt himself employed the usage. Aren’t we all here to share our input and learn from what others share?
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I’m not going to get my hand slapped, so let’s just agree to disagree.
 
G

GimpYancIent

Well-Known Member
LittleBuford said:
Why gender can be an issue for some has been amply addressed already, so I won’t go into that, but I’m curious to know in what ways the shift in terminology has (negatively) impacted your experience. Could you clarify?
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No need for clarification. It's crystal as it is. A made-up controversy over nothing that has had no meaning or impact on any experience at a Disney property. Nuff said.
 
mightynine

mightynine

Well-Known Member
mkt said:
Hello friends!
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Angry Downton Abbey GIF
 
NickMaio

NickMaio

Well-Known Member
Goofyernmost said:
How about simply hello, good bye or just, have a magical day or a fun day. There is absolutely no need for any gender or relationship identification when it comes to being cordial with someone you have never seen before. I'm not "friends" with any of them and it just sounds awkward to me. Also I am not a guest or friend with anyone that insisted that I pay them large chunks of money to see them. I am a customer/client at that point.

Say Hi, how are you, would work. Then the thing anyone that enjoys creating reasons to be offended can do is leave unsatisfied. I'm sick of the foolishness. We, as a society should just grow up. We live in world where the children are the intelligent ones and the adults are acting like two year old's. Mine, me, mine, me, mine, me. Intellectual maturity no longer exists. We really can be welcoming without being connected on a gender or relationship level.
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Totally agree.
 

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