The problem with “friends” is pre-covid, that’s how CMs were trained to address people causing issues as a way to help diffuse the situation, so there are some issues that carry over from that.
Thank you! I mean really- sime people never make it to Disney or its once in a lifetime. If we can’t be friends or referred to as friends at Disney Parks, we have a problem. Also, if you act like a person who has manners and follows the signs, listens to announcements. and directions for guests, cast members don’t need to call you anything.
Amen Marilee! There’s a bigger problem at play if you don’t return to Disney just because you were called “ friend”. There are much worse things you could be called.
Only thing vague and cringy is your inability to articulate why you dislike something. Sorry it hit your “feels” but come back when you can give a cogent argument for your position until then you’re just presenting an argument based on emotions instead of logic which makes you an entitled child and not a rational adult.
If the left wants to dilute gender language because they are offended by it, then they should be more tolerant to people who are offended by being called “friend”. Why is it that the left gets to demand what language everyone uses for them, but then take issue that other people want to be called or not be called something else?You want to be called “they” or “friend” and I want to be called “Her” or “ma’am”. What is the difference? Why is it that now I am required to tolerate being called something just because thats what you want to be called?
I don’t pay to see friends. If I have paid $$$$, I am not a friend but someone who deserves a certain amount of respect. How about Mouseketeers or Mouseketeers of all ages. A Mouseketeer is part of the experience and can be differentiated from Cast Members.
“With many labelling the use of “friends” as “not even friendly,” “offputting,” and “disrespectful towards Guests,” it’s safe to say that some aren’t too keen on the term. However, with gender neutral language the new norm in Disney Parks, it’s phrases like these that help to make Disney Parks a safe, inclusive space for all.”
NO, just NO! This is the Real World where most people in the west don’t give 2 shifts about someone’s feeling more inclusive and once you step outside the West you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone who’s not visiting from the West who does give 2 FK’s about someone’s feeling more included based on gendered language. If anything they’ll laugh at you and look at you like as of you need to be institutionalized. It’s only here in the west with the latest generations of thoroughly indoctruinated Millennials and Gen Z’s that this is even a thing. The rest of the world is still advancing like a first world mature society should. It’s only the West and its juvenile w/Sodom & Gomorrah style approach that has caused the world to go to shift and many here at InsideTheMagic are only assisting with that decline.
They don’t work for YOU. They work for Disney. And they deal with enough bs. “Friend” isn’t an offensive term. And you don’t have to call the CMs friends back, they wear name tags. You can use their actual name while CMs might see a name on a birthday button but they have no idea the names of most of the guests they’re helping.
Personally, I don’t have an issue with it… As long as they behave professionally, respectfully, and treat guest guests fairly by taking into account their cultures, heritage and personality upbringings, it’s acceptable to me. I prefer if someone addresses me using “The KING’S ENGLISH” instead of slang, but that’s my personal way of relating to people. I’ve seen much, much worse unprofessional conduct in numerous places (including out-of-the-way rural diners) where the waitress behaves in a flirtatious manner by calling the male customers “HON” (short for honey).
Yes, in the south, waitresses call everyone “hon”, “sweetie”, etc and it’s horrendously uncomfortable. I don’t get it. They think they are being polite, but I don’t think thats polite. I think it’s weird. But on the other hand, if the left wants to dilute gender language because they are offended by it, then they should be more tolerant to people who are offended by being called “friend”. Why is it that the left gets to demand what language everyone uses for them, but then take issue that other people want to be called or not be called something else?
You want to be called “they” or “friend” and I want to be called
“Her” or “ma’am”. What is the difference? Why is it that now I am required to tolerate being called something just because thats what you want to be called?
Stick with the PROPER way of addressing someone. Ladies, and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls. It’s also tradition, and why would you have to change tradition that has been there since the beginning.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, he’s, she’s, they’s, straights, gays, hunks and babes, moms and dads, granny’s and grandpas, sir, madam, miss, doctor, your honor, Lord Vader, and assorted guests.
Because this particular tradition fails to include people who identify as non-Binary, gender-fluid, or anything else under that umbrella.
Also cast members are supposed to be friendly to guests, it’s easier to greet them as friends and go from there. If the guests introduce themselves, cast can make an effort to remember and use your names. But they see hundreds of people a day, so friends is a easy blanket term
Why not just say “Hi” or whatever the common greeting is in the area you’re in. Like “Howdy” in Frontier Land etc, etc. No need for “friend, folks, miss, sir”.
Maybe this is a generational thing, and Millennials are okay with this crap, but as a Gen X, I do find it disrespectful to call me a “friend” when I have not given you permission to address me as such.
It’s the same with calling me by my first name. If I haven’t asked you to, you call me Mrs. or Ma’am, not anything else.
This is why I like the young soldiers I see at work everyday. Not a single disrespectful one in the bunch!
Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, IS inclusive. If a trans child/adult identifies as either gender then they are covered anyway. You are human which means you are either male or female; which ever you feel you are, I don’t care, that’s your life, and I hope you are happy.
I don’t see why every respectful tradition needs to change. It’s the lack of self-respect that has people acting like animals in the parks. It starts with the little things.
I LOVE being called ‘friend’ at Disney. It gives me a sense of belonging. And that experience is exactly what I’m paying them for. For everyone complaining, no one is forcing you to go to Disney. When the rest of us don’t like a particular companies practices, we simple don’t interact with that company. Maybe you could learn something from us “inclusive millenial snowflakes.’
Can’t wait for people to stop saying “I’m not coming back” and actually do so. The friends that say this are the friends that are more then welcome to stay away.
peace and love, would love nothing more for the “friends” who threaten to never come back to ACTUALLY never come back. the parks are better without y’all anyway!! 😌
Comments for This Is Why Disney Cast Members Call You “Friends” (And Don’t Call You “Folks”)
Royz
One line to remember for all…
Be Our Guest…Be Our Guest
Chris
The problem with “friends” is pre-covid, that’s how CMs were trained to address people causing issues as a way to help diffuse the situation, so there are some issues that carry over from that.
Waharini
That is incorrect.
MARILEE EPPLEY
Some people just aren’t happy unless they’re complaining!
Lauren
Thank you! I mean really- sime people never make it to Disney or its once in a lifetime. If we can’t be friends or referred to as friends at Disney Parks, we have a problem. Also, if you act like a person who has manners and follows the signs, listens to announcements. and directions for guests, cast members don’t need to call you anything.
Kathy
Amen Marilee! There’s a bigger problem at play if you don’t return to Disney just because you were called “ friend”. There are much worse things you could be called.
Minnie Mouse
It bothers me too, though I can’t pinpoint why. But no, I’m not your friend, and I’m ALSO not my kids’ “grown-up.”
This stuff isn’t inclusive; it’s vague, generic, and cringe.
Brad Bert
Only thing vague and cringy is your inability to articulate why you dislike something. Sorry it hit your “feels” but come back when you can give a cogent argument for your position until then you’re just presenting an argument based on emotions instead of logic which makes you an entitled child and not a rational adult.
Alicia
If the left wants to dilute gender language because they are offended by it, then they should be more tolerant to people who are offended by being called “friend”. Why is it that the left gets to demand what language everyone uses for them, but then take issue that other people want to be called or not be called something else?You want to be called “they” or “friend” and I want to be called “Her” or “ma’am”. What is the difference? Why is it that now I am required to tolerate being called something just because thats what you want to be called?
AEBut
I don’t pay to see friends. If I have paid $$$$, I am not a friend but someone who deserves a certain amount of respect. How about Mouseketeers or Mouseketeers of all ages. A Mouseketeer is part of the experience and can be differentiated from Cast Members.
Sharon Hahn
People find fault with anything if they are looking for it! Friend is a positive word why turn it negative??
LegoGuru2000
“With many labelling the use of “friends” as “not even friendly,” “offputting,” and “disrespectful towards Guests,” it’s safe to say that some aren’t too keen on the term. However, with gender neutral language the new norm in Disney Parks, it’s phrases like these that help to make Disney Parks a safe, inclusive space for all.”
NO, just NO! This is the Real World where most people in the west don’t give 2 shifts about someone’s feeling more inclusive and once you step outside the West you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone who’s not visiting from the West who does give 2 FK’s about someone’s feeling more included based on gendered language. If anything they’ll laugh at you and look at you like as of you need to be institutionalized. It’s only here in the west with the latest generations of thoroughly indoctruinated Millennials and Gen Z’s that this is even a thing. The rest of the world is still advancing like a first world mature society should. It’s only the West and its juvenile w/Sodom & Gomorrah style approach that has caused the world to go to shift and many here at InsideTheMagic are only assisting with that decline.
lorraine
I see it as disrespectful. I am very careful who I call “friend” and they WORK for us , we arent their FRIEND. I bite my tongue every time I hear it
Tristan
They don’t work for YOU. They work for Disney. And they deal with enough bs. “Friend” isn’t an offensive term. And you don’t have to call the CMs friends back, they wear name tags. You can use their actual name while CMs might see a name on a birthday button but they have no idea the names of most of the guests they’re helping.
M
if i dont know you, you are not ‘friend’. I will address you how i percieve you. Sir or Ma’am. oh,you dont like those terms? too bad buttercup.
Tristan
They don’t work for YOU. They work for Disney. And they put up with enough bs.
If you’re talking to one cast member for a while, introduce yourself and they make an effort to use your name.
George Reynolds III
Personally, I don’t have an issue with it… As long as they behave professionally, respectfully, and treat guest guests fairly by taking into account their cultures, heritage and personality upbringings, it’s acceptable to me. I prefer if someone addresses me using “The KING’S ENGLISH” instead of slang, but that’s my personal way of relating to people. I’ve seen much, much worse unprofessional conduct in numerous places (including out-of-the-way rural diners) where the waitress behaves in a flirtatious manner by calling the male customers “HON” (short for honey).
Alicia
Yes, in the south, waitresses call everyone “hon”, “sweetie”, etc and it’s horrendously uncomfortable. I don’t get it. They think they are being polite, but I don’t think thats polite. I think it’s weird. But on the other hand, if the left wants to dilute gender language because they are offended by it, then they should be more tolerant to people who are offended by being called “friend”. Why is it that the left gets to demand what language everyone uses for them, but then take issue that other people want to be called or not be called something else?
Alicia
You want to be called “they” or “friend” and I want to be called
“Her” or “ma’am”. What is the difference? Why is it that now I am required to tolerate being called something just because thats what you want to be called?
Jane prickett
Stick with the PROPER way of addressing someone. Ladies, and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls. It’s also tradition, and why would you have to change tradition that has been there since the beginning.
Tristan
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, he’s, she’s, they’s, straights, gays, hunks and babes, moms and dads, granny’s and grandpas, sir, madam, miss, doctor, your honor, Lord Vader, and assorted guests.
Tristan
Because this particular tradition fails to include people who identify as non-Binary, gender-fluid, or anything else under that umbrella.
Also cast members are supposed to be friendly to guests, it’s easier to greet them as friends and go from there. If the guests introduce themselves, cast can make an effort to remember and use your names. But they see hundreds of people a day, so friends is a easy blanket term
M
If you dont want to identify within societal norms, that’s a ‘you’ problem. You choose to not be included.
Barbie Stroess
Why not just say “Hi” or whatever the common greeting is in the area you’re in. Like “Howdy” in Frontier Land etc, etc. No need for “friend, folks, miss, sir”.
Sirya
Maybe this is a generational thing, and Millennials are okay with this crap, but as a Gen X, I do find it disrespectful to call me a “friend” when I have not given you permission to address me as such.
It’s the same with calling me by my first name. If I haven’t asked you to, you call me Mrs. or Ma’am, not anything else.
This is why I like the young soldiers I see at work everyday. Not a single disrespectful one in the bunch!
Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, IS inclusive. If a trans child/adult identifies as either gender then they are covered anyway. You are human which means you are either male or female; which ever you feel you are, I don’t care, that’s your life, and I hope you are happy.
I don’t see why every respectful tradition needs to change. It’s the lack of self-respect that has people acting like animals in the parks. It starts with the little things.
Alan
It’s pathetic. Having to alienate the majority of guests to please a very small group of people with mental health issues
Alicia
agreed
Rew
I like friends. I like Toys in Toy Story land. More immersive if we are called by area visiting.
Resistor in ROR, etc.
AHah
I LOVE being called ‘friend’ at Disney. It gives me a sense of belonging. And that experience is exactly what I’m paying them for. For everyone complaining, no one is forcing you to go to Disney. When the rest of us don’t like a particular companies practices, we simple don’t interact with that company. Maybe you could learn something from us “inclusive millenial snowflakes.’
J
Can’t wait for people to stop saying “I’m not coming back” and actually do so. The friends that say this are the friends that are more then welcome to stay away.
walt
peace and love, would love nothing more for the “friends” who threaten to never come back to ACTUALLY never come back. the parks are better without y’all anyway!! 😌
Comments are closed.