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Disney CMs calling guests " Friends"?
- Thread starter tallica
- Start date
crazy4disney
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
So can i ask you this? Do you feel CM’s are not following these guidelines bc of insubordination? Bc they dont agree with the policy and are somewhat trying to prove a point bc maybe they feel Disney was “forced” into this decision and know there is going to be no drawback by not following? Or something else?
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
Sure, but wouldn't that be defined more like facts vs. alternative facts. One's real and one isn't. I realize that language is an ever changing thing. If it didn't we would all be speaking in Shakespeare now. But even then there were certain basics ways of using language that didn't sound like we were all illiterate and to me that is what the improper use of "friend" is in this situation.
LittleBuford
Well-Known Member
I should think it varies from CM to CM. Perhaps some are trying to make a point, though I would guess that force of habit is the usual explanation—such transitions can take a while to stick. I very much doubt that there’s a widespread campaign afoot to rebel against the policy. Why would a CM who’s willing to follow Disney’s other terminological guidelines draw the line at “friends”?
crazy4disney
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
Honestly i dk. All i know for 11 days it was pretty much bau for them and i dont think i was referred to as friends once. I was just curious your thoughts on it. Most likely combination of everything but who knows
MickeyLuv'r
Well-Known Member
I was asked a question, and I answered it factually.
Chi84
Premium Member
Is there a policy?
LittleBuford
Well-Known Member
The policy as I understand it is that CMs should avoid gendered forms of address, not that they have to use “friends” specifically.
It's been used in English for hundred of years. Examples have been posted to this thread.
If you want to hold an opposing view and rail against what you think is improper usage, just know, you're in the minority.
And Disney and Universal will go ahead with calling guests 'friends' even if sporadically.
Chi84
Premium Member
We’re at WDW now. The recorded message on the Skyliner uses “ladies and gentlemen,” which seems odd if there’s a policy. We haven’t heard a single “friend(s)” and haven’t noticed any difference at all when being addressed by cast members. A CM referred to my husband as “he,” so they really don’t seem to be doing anything differently there.There does appear to be, though it’s possible the leaked footage discussed in this article has been taken out of context:
Disney Addresses Removal of 'Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls' in Video
The entertainment giant has found itself in the middle of culture war battles, opposing Florida's new so-called Don't Say Gay law.www.newsweek.com
There does appear to be, though it’s possible the leaked footage discussed in this article has been taken out of context:
Disney Addresses Removal of 'Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls' in Video
The entertainment giant has found itself in the middle of culture war battles, opposing Florida's new so-called Don't Say Gay law.
so now they know it's, 'hello everyone' or 'hello friends.'"
Oh... so CMs are free to use addresses that aren't necessarily always "friends"... they can use "everyone." So, there isn't some sort of cabal of CMs in open defiance of their training by not using friends.
So sad; it was a nice conspiracy while it lasted.
It's taking them two years to track down and remove every instance of Zippity Do Dah.
Don't attribute this to a policy change when it can be attributed to incompetence or laziness.
LittleBuford
Well-Known Member
I don’t think this thread would exist if new guidelines hadn’t been introduced—witness the shift to “Dreamers of all ages” in the fireworks intro. Perhaps “policy” is the wrong word for it, since it’s clear there hasn’t been anything like an overnight or universal switch. Regarding the use of “he” for your husband, I don’t think anyone is suggesting that all gendered pronouns should be scrapped. Even the leaked footage in the article I shared doesn’t say anything like that.
crazy4disney
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
and what im trying to explain is that majority of CM's were addressing me my daughter and mom normally by male & female terms.... is that allowed to be said here anymore?
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
Yes it is, but it requires different ways of saying it. "Excuse me MY friend" is ok. "Excuse me friend" is incorrect. It sounds like something Luca Brasi would have said just before he twisted your arm off. That is what bothers me. It is incorrect and awkward when used that way. If the CM's aren't doing it the way it has been depicted is fine but I'm not there to witness it so I'm commenting on what the posts have been saying. BTW, I don't think I am in the minority. Perhaps on this particular thread, but not generally. But, like with everything else, this particular thread has called me to end my participation. So, my friend, I'll move along. Nothing to see here.
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Chi84
Premium Member
I welcome any sensible changes by Disney that further inclusiveness. My only point is that they’re not struggling there. It’s an issue on the boards but not at WDW.It's taking them two years to track down and remove every instance of Zippity Do Dah.
Don't attribute this to a policy change when it can be attributed to incompetence or laziness.
GimpYancIent
Well-Known Member
The elimination of "Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls" from Disney announcements etc., and the emphasis on "friends" did, has done nor will do anything to make Disney more inclusive. "Friends" is a word that has been utilized in the parks since the beginning so nothing new or exciting there.
MickeyLuv'r
Well-Known Member
Thanks, that is what I've been trying to say for several pages now. Or at least I think we are saying the same thing. I am sure CM's are allowed to use the word friend, I'm just not sure they are using it all that frequently.
The MK fireworks show opens with, "Good Evening. Tonight we gather....and later uses "dreamers of all ages." That is hardly noticeable (as a replacement for ladies and gentlemen), because WDW uses such phrases all over the parks.
I suspect most service employees, including WDW's, are just trying to serve customers quickly and without fanfare.
It appears that some of WDW's inclusiveness initiative was aimed at celebrating Pride Month. Disneyland Paris had gender-neutral bathrooms, but only temporarily during Magic Pride (the month of June). The FL parks do not specifically have gender neutral bathrooms. They are now fairly common in many cities, so it is curious if WDW doesn't have any, just the companion restrooms. Seems like an odd omission if the parks aim to be inclusive.
And soon they will just be honest and call people going there "rubes". Given the way they treat guests with higher and higher prices, and lower quality entertainment the word "friend" just makes me think of a used car salesman trying to sell you a POS you'll regret once you drive away.
