Disney CMs calling guests " Friends"?

[Sir_Cliff]

That’s why I’ve heard them say “no worries” many times…to me, that sounds fine to the point that I’m starting to use it and every time someone says it to me, I always ask if they’re Disney fans…

I always thought "no worries" was an Australianism!

 

[Smiley/OCD]

I always thought "no worries" was an Australianism!

I’m liking it much better regardless of where it originally came from…you’re probably right…no worries, I like it!

 

[castlecake2.0]

We’re not supposed to say “no worries” either, just like “no problem” it’s two negative words in one phrase. We should be saying “you’re welcome, my pleasure, of course” etc. saying that, right now they’re just happy they can find someone with a pulse to work.

 

[LittleBuford]

I always thought "no worries" was an Australianism!

We use it a lot in British English too, though I think we may have borrowed it from you guys (Neighbours has a lot to answer for!).

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

I hate how every socially-related conversation always seems to generate snarky, defensive, mocking, and sarcastic responses that only seem to confuse or be coded for likeminded individuals.

This thread has had plenty of posts pulled, and the posts that have been pulled were from both sides of the discussion in this thread.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

I always thought "no worries" was an Australianism!

I have heard it plenty in the US for a great many years, though it was also popularized in the mid-1980's by Paul Hogan.

 

[Goofyernmost]

My Pleasure is another phrase that is pretty much unoffensive but just seems insincere. That doesn't mean that it is, it just has that feel to it. Last night watched my 23 year old grandson answering the door and when someone said thank you, he always responded with "my pleasure". Perhaps it might have been his comments after the door closed the emphasized just how insincere it was. But, even before that it didn't sound like it came from the heart. I don't know where he picked that up because I have never heard a single member of my family ever using that phrase until last night.

 

[LittleBuford]

My Pleasure is another phrase that is pretty much unoffensive but just seems insincere. That doesn't mean that it is, it just has that feel to it. Last night watched my 23 year old grandson answering the door and when someone said thank you, he always responded with "my pleasure". Perhaps it might have been his comments after the door closed the emphasized just how insincere it was. But, even before that it didn't sound like it came from the heart. I don't know where he picked that up because I have never heard a single member of my family ever using that phrase until last night.

Pretty much all traditional pleasantries are insincere. I routinely address perfect strangers as “dear” in my emails, and it used to be the norm to end letters by declaring yourself someone’s “humble servant”. Many very ordinary-seeming phrases end up sounding strange when you dissect them or focus on their literal meaning. Case in point: “good bye” is a corruption of “God be with you”, which is the standard way of bidding someone farewell in a number of languages. And “ciao”, which we’ve imported into English from Italian, originally meant “[I am your] slave”.

 

[_caleb]

My Pleasure is another phrase that is pretty much unoffensive but just seems insincere. That doesn't mean that it is, it just has that feel to it. Last night watched my 23 year old grandson answering the door and when someone said thank you, he always responded with "my pleasure". Perhaps it might have been his comments after the door closed the emphasized just how insincere it was. But, even before that it didn't sound like it came from the heart. I don't know where he picked that up because I have never heard a single member of my family ever using that phrase until last night.

If I remember correctly, you're originally from the southern United States? I'm wondering if the question of sincerity when it comes to greetings and customer service might take on different importance in certain regions.

When I lived in the South, I noticed that it was important to call people "sir," and "ma'am," and to show respect. If a guest were used to this sort of culture, I can see how it might seem strange to be called "friend" by a CM. Especially if it's done in what may be perceived as an insincere tone.

That said, for Chick-fil-a, the use of "my pleasure" (instead of "you're welcome," "no problem," etc.) is formulated specifically for the South–the result of much research and testing. As CFA expands into other markets, there is some discussion about how appropriate it may/may not be; not that anyone is taking offense, but that it might sound off (and possibly off-putting) to some segments of their expanding audience.

 

[RobWDW1971]

If I remember correctly, you're originally from the southern United States? I'm wondering if the question of sincerity when it comes to greetings and customer service might take on different importance in certain regions.

When I lived in the South, I noticed that it was important to call people "sir," and "ma'am," and to show respect. If a guest were used to this sort of culture, I can see how it might seem strange to be called "friend" by a CM. Especially if it's done in what may be perceived as an insincere tone.

That said, for Chick-fil-a, the use of "my pleasure" (instead of "you're welcome," "no problem," etc.) is formulated specifically for the South–the result of much research and testing. As CFA expands into other markets, there is some discussion about how appropriate it may/may not be; not that anyone is taking offense, but that it might sound off (and possibly off-putting) to some segments of their expanding audience.

Go often to CFA in Southern CA and their consistent use of "my pleasure" is not only welcomed, it further separates their level of service and quality of employees from their competition.

Every time I eat there with a friend we end up discussing how poor the average cast at DL is in appearance, attentiveness, and politeness compared to the wonderful employees at CFA.

Sad state of affairs when a QSR chicken place runs circles around Disney (and they don't even care).

 

[MisterPenguin]

As long as I don't hear "no problem" when I thank someone. Its annoying, just say you are welcome

The imposition on my time and resources to attend to your needs was not problematic for me.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Pretty much all traditional pleasantries are insincere. I routinely address perfect strangers as “dear” in my emails, and it used to be the norm to end letters by declaring yourself someone’s “humble servant”. Many very ordinary-seeming phrases end up sounding strange when you dissect them or focus on their literal meaning. Case in point: “good bye” is a corruption of “God be with you”, which is the standard way of bidding someone farewell in a number of languages. And “ciao”, which we’ve imported into English from Italian, originally meant “[I am your] slave”.

 

[Chi84]

Go often to CFA in Southern CA and their consistent use of "my pleasure" is not only welcomed, it further separates their level of service and quality of employees from their competition.

Every time I eat there with a friend we end up discussing how poor the average cast at DL is in appearance, attentiveness, and politeness compared to the wonderful employees at CFA.

Sad state of affairs when a QSR chicken place runs circles around Disney (and they don't even care).

The Buona Beef employees in my area also say “my pleasure” and are very attentive. It must be the phrase that makes the difference!

 

[JoeCamel]

The imposition on my time and resources to attend to your needs was not problematic for me.

Meaning my service was trivial to you, I'm so old I am now that guy

 

[DfromATX]

100%. We ate at a local higher end steakhouse in the suburbs and one of the servers kept saying Friend. Very creepy. It's ok once, and then it's a problem. This is NY, we don't talk like that.

Maybe y'all should? You could start a trend of being friendly in the big apple.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I’ve been called “traveler” multiple times at DAK today. oh the horrors of friendly and on theme CM’s! One even said “welcome friends!”

 

[JoeCamel]

I’ve been called “traveler” multiple times at DAK today. oh the horrors of friendly and on theme CM’s! One even said “welcome friends!”

The horror!
I would leave and go to Universal where they tell you up front they don't have to be nice to you, I like honesty in my park workers.....

 

[Goofyernmost]

If I remember correctly, you're originally from the southern United States? I'm wondering if the question of sincerity when it comes to greetings and customer service might take on different importance in certain regions.

When I lived in the South, I noticed that it was important to call people "sir," and "ma'am," and to show respect. If a guest were used to this sort of culture, I can see how it might seem strange to be called "friend" by a CM. Especially if it's done in what may be perceived as an insincere tone.

That said, for Chick-fil-a, the use of "my pleasure" (instead of "you're welcome," "no problem," etc.) is formulated specifically for the South–the result of much research and testing. As CFA expands into other markets, there is some discussion about how appropriate it may/may not be; not that anyone is taking offense, but that it might sound off (and possibly off-putting) to some segments of their expanding audience.

You are partially correct, everything from the first paragraph down is factual. I spent the first 63 years of my life no more then 35 miles from the Canadian border.

My habit of Sir or Ma'am is from the military which are words of respect. If anyone presents themselves as whatever gender the identify with properly it shouldn't be at all offensive. If they feel one thing and physically present themselves as something else then they bear the responsibility for the mislabel not innocent person the went by appearance to use the incorrect salutation. I said it before so here it is again. If one looks like a duck, acts like a duck and sounds like a duck, one shouldn't be surprised if someone calls them a duck. If they are expecting people to read minds and automatically know the answer, good luck with that. If in doubt don't even try, say Hello, or How are you today or Welcome, or may I help you. There never is a need to acknowledge, with individuals, gender, no matter what it is.

Now that I live in NC there are a variety of greetings we get here. They range from sir or ma'am, to honey, sweetheart, dear and many others. There is also an interesting one that uses your first name preceded by Mr. or Miss depending on gender and regardless of marital status. So that might sound like Mr. Ross or Miss Lisa. Still just a way of speaking with no inferred or intentional thing other then a friendly greeting. So instead of everyone trying to hard to not offend anyone, let's worry about that only when it really matters and just try to be a little more friendly and less trying to be a friend to a stranger.

l feel the word "friend" can be used but only when preceded by the words my, yours or their and in a friendly manner. Just saying Friend by itself smacks of insincerity and forced language. Not friendly at all. My point has always been that there is a right time and a wrong time to use most all words, but in the context of this discuss flinging out the word "friend" at random is neither friendly nor correct.

 

[LittleBuford]

My point has always been that there is a right time and a wrong time to use most all words, but in the context of this discuss flinging out the word "friend" at random is neither friendly nor correct.

It isn’t being flung out at random, though. It’s being used deliberately to fill a particular need.

 

[UNCgolf]

I’ve been called “traveler” multiple times at DAK today. oh the horrors of friendly and on theme CM’s! One even said “welcome friends!”

I wish someone at Disney would use "fellow traveler" just to see the meltdown that would ensue in certain corners.