Observations

Since I work at a theme park (and been to quite a few, living in central FL), I have noticed many a theme or popular occurrence among members of the human race. A lot of what I've noticed has to do with culture and upbringing, and a lot has to do with my personal observances. I might just bullet point it and go from there.

1. Manners
   
   I'm not sure if there's a magical force field that the guests walk through when they enter the park, but the vast majority of the people I encounter forget to say please and thank you. Of course, it could be happening everywhere- not just inside the theme parks, but I definitely have taken notice. I've also noticed that the people who say please and thank you are usually not from the United States. The most polite folks are the ones who hail from the U.K. (Sorry America.) 9 times out of 10 any person I interact with from the UK will have said please or thank you at least 3 or 4 times by the time our exchange is finished. And as a side note, they generally seem to be much happier. Initially I think I thought it was because they're on a vacation, but then I figured that so was practically everyone else in the park at that moment.
   
   I will say this: working in a theme park has made me so much more aware of how I act when I'm out to a restaurant or checking out at the store. The people working there are just like us, and who knows, maybe they're having an awful day. Saying please and thank you should be an automatic thing. I make a point of being extra nice.
2. Navigation
   
   I know I'm not the only one who's experienced this one, and I know for a fact it doesn't just happen at theme parks. I know that mostly because I'm not that swell of a navigator myself, and because if you've ever listened to Dane Cook's BK Lounge bit, he sums it up brilliantly. There's a part of his spiel where he's talking to a woman at the drive through, and after she places her order, she asks him where to go. You can probably assume his reaction. Something along the lines of, 'Where do you go?! Go down the one road you're on to me!' etc. etc.
   
   The EXACT same thing happens on a daily basis at the park. I'm not sure if I notice it because I know where I'm going, but a lot of people seem to get themselves into a tizzy about where to go, when the pathway is right in front of them, or they just need to round a bend. There have been numerous occasions where I have to stop myself from looking stunned at how confused guests get in a really easy situation. Those are the times when my dark sunglasses come in very very handy. I feel that I spend a lot of time steering people around and getting them to notice their surroundings. Because of this, my friends and I spend a little more time acquainting ourselves with the maps of any other parks we visit, and trying to figure it out ourselves before we ask someone. I think the employees can tell that we make the effort.
3. Small Talk
   
   This is a BIG one for me and my co-workers. We get this on the daily. And, of course, I realize that many of the guests are just making small talk, but I just ask this ONE THING from you. Please think about what you say before you say it. I have people constantly commenting, 'Oh my GOSH it smells in there!' and 'HOW do you deal with the smell?!' and 'Your boyfriend must really hate the way you smell after work.' (One of my favorites...)
   
   Okay. Most of the time I'm pretty good at being positive and responding with things like, 'Oh I honestly can't smell it anymore' and 'I get used to it, it doesn't bother me.' But that last one? Come on, people. If I could respond to these statements the way I wanted to, I would no longer have a job. I understand that my job and my work area may smell different than you're used to. I'm guessing the vast majority of the population doesn't work around fish or a fish kitchen. But you don't see me coming into your place of business and going, 'OH MY GOSH it smells like PAPER in here!' or 'I bet your wife HATES that you smell like an office building when you get home! YEESH.' My poor parents have to deal with me venting about this on a very frequent basis. My advice is: if it seems that you're stating the obvious, think about it before you say something. I know that I smell at work. But at least I'm working, and I get to do some really amazing things at my job. Please don't tell me I smell. Nobody wants to hear that.

Honestly, reading back on it makes it seem like all I do is deal with really frustrating people all day long. Sometimes, that's exactly what happens. But the thing that makes it all worthwhile is being able to give people a once in a lifetime experience, and seeing it on their face. Or the people that ask the really amazing questions and show a genuine interest in what I do and why I do it. Or the people whose opinions I can change. Or the little kids whose minds I can expand a little bit more. That's the really cool part. Like I said in my last post, there are some downsides to every job, but there are upsides too, and that's the stuff you have to focus on. It's something I'm still trying to work on every day. I hope you will too. :)

Be good.

KG