One Please: a series of uneventful misfortunes

[TDLFAN]

Originally Posted by pussnboots

And finally, the glowing crystal that's visible from within the castle foyer and Merlin l'Enchanteur, as well as the recently fixed waterfall I mentioned earlier. Has this crystal effect been broken for a decade or am I the only person who failed to notice it all these years?

OMG!!! I can not beleive this has finally been fixed and the fountain is back on again. IS the small waterfall also now operational as well?? I am quite happy to know this, and if they ever brought back the walking on water fire flames at the Discoveryland entrance fountain, I would be the happiest DLP fan alive.

[BoogaFrito]

That was a terrific report! A model for us all!

[Sgt. Tibs]

yep, great report puss, you're right that it's hard not to have a good time there. the entire place is amazing, apart from the people of course!

your explanation of their sarcasm was exactly how i would describe it if i was any good at putting my feelings in to words :-)

[TikiRoomLiz]

Your trip report has inspired me to visit DLRP soon ... really.

[nathan detroit]

Although I am spending less time than ever on MC, I was thrilled to see one of your patented 'Interesting and Entertaining Trip Reports' Puss.
I seem to recall that last year you had a photographic bin fetish. Nice to see that this year it has moved up to smoking signs!
The news about the slow moving maintainance is encouraging and the fact that the CMs are now being credited with having what we English refer to as a 'personality' is wonderful.
The same nationalities seem to be misbehaving and of course your white wine/curtain interface negated the earlier red wine/curtain interface - well done you!
A pleasure as always Mr Boots.

[pussnboots]

Thanks guys, you're too kind. And yes, definitely visit Disneyland Paris.

Originally Posted by Sgt. Tibs

yep, great report puss, you're right that it's hard not to have a good time there. the entire place is amazing, apart from the people of course!

your explanation of their sarcasm was exactly how i would describe it if i was any good at putting my feelings in to words :-)

Ah yes, the sarcasm... It's hard to reach a verdict on that one. I think that a lot of it can be attributed to cultural differences; Anglos (particularly Americans) have a definition of friendliness that involves a smile and a perky tone of voice, as well as such concepts as "the customer is always right." The French definition of friendliness is geared more towards etiquette and less towards artificial facial muscle contractions. A lot of Americans and Britons forget, for example, that you must go through that "bonjour monsieur/madame" routine every time you approach someone. Skip it, and you've lost them already. An American thinks he's perfectly polite because he's smiling (and, more importantly, paying,) a Briton thinks he's being polite because he opened with "I'm terribly sorry, but..." They should have gone with "bonjour madame."

The result is that Mr Johnson from Cleveland checks into the Ritz in Paris with someone who isn't smiling and doesn't sound perky, and already harbors a tiny bit of grudge over mr Johnson's opening line of "YEAH I HAVE A RESERVATION." It's easy to see how the entire English-speaking world would think of the French as surly and sarcastic.

Nevertheless, you're never quite sure whether you're dealing with a cultural misunderstanding or an actual nation of snooty butlers. Personally, I try not to get on their nerves, but then I am a blundering idiot who mistakes closets for elevators. I warrant sarcasm in any nation. So it's hard for me to say.

[pussnboots]

Originally Posted by nathan detroit

Although I am spending less time than ever on MC, I was thrilled to see one of your patented 'Interesting and Entertaining Trip Reports' Puss.
I seem to recall that last year you had a photographic bin fetish. Nice to see that this year it has moved up to smoking signs!
The news about the slow moving maintainance is encouraging and the fact that the CMs are now being credited with having what we English refer to as a 'personality' is wonderful.
The same nationalities seem to be misbehaving and of course your white wine/curtain interface negated the earlier red wine/curtain interface - well done you!
A pleasure as always Mr Boots.

You know, it's a shame I did those trash cans last year... They've just replaced half of them. Last year, they were all in such a bad state I had to Photoshop out the rust and dirt... Which, come to think of it, makes that whole thing even more eccentric.

And yes, a personality. That's what that is. I suppose Walt has been dead long enough for them to be allowed one.

[Rick_A_Mortis]

A funny and insightful look at the Park. I found this park so amazing on my trip several years back. It's such a beauty and rather sad that conditions have reached such a point of neglect. Happily at this point these issues are slowly being corrected. Great job.

[EvilQueen]

Originally Posted by pussnboots

"EET'S MAAAAAGIC."

He is my new favorite Cast Member in the resort. Someone bring him a prize. A simple "merci monsieur" can carry up to fourteen shades of passive aggressiveness. The matronly clerk at my hotel managed to convey up to eleven. They are so skilled at this, however, that it's a very becoming, admirable trait.

...if you're trying to squeeze in a little father-daughter time with your Isabella on one of your Paris business trips, the Auberge is highly recommended.)

Sure, a rope would have done the trick...

OH MY GAWD!! YOU are hysterical!

(Will you marry me?! Even if you're not male - will you still marry me?!
Never mind; I forgot that I'm already married...)

I cannot remember a more enjoyable Trip(py) Report. I am still laughing here at work - OK, the margarita that I just had for "lunch" helped, but that it still one FUNNY report!! Keep up the great work...

[pussnboots]

Originally Posted by EvilQueen

OH MY GAWD!! YOU are hysterical!

(Will you marry me?! Even if you're not male - will you still marry me?!
Never mind; I forgot that I'm already married...)

I cannot remember a more enjoyable Trip(py) Report. I am still laughing here at work - OK, the margarita that I just had for "lunch" helped, but that it still one FUNNY report!! Keep up the great work...

Thanks, haha. Margaritas and polygamy are among my favorite things as well. Cheers!

[marqueemark]

I'm so glad I clicked on this thread. Thanks for the great, funny report that still has a lot of information in it.

It's easy to think we are all "westerners" and samey but the French culture is very different in some aspects. Sometimes it takes a while to readjust and remember things like greeting everyone every time and that food isn't fast even at a counter.

[LittleImagineer]

Loved the trip report! It's sometimes good to hear some positives followed by negatives =] Constructive Criticism

Oh, I'm American and I think everybody should smile well saying hello or something. It's just polite. Maybe I only think that because I'm American or something =]

[Speedway]

I am oh so envious at this brilliant report you have whipped together. C'est fantastique!

[davewasbaloo]

Originally Posted by LittleImagineer

Loved the trip report! It's sometimes good to hear some positives followed by negatives =] Constructive Criticism

Oh, I'm American and I think everybody should smile well saying hello or something. It's just polite. Maybe I only think that because I'm American or something =]

It is indeed a cultural thing. In Europe, overfamiliarity can be seen as rude. When we first started going, we thought it was strange that the restaurant cast never came to the table to see how everything was or to offer more drinks. We thought this was bad service. We learnt over time, in French culture, it is considered rude for the wait staff to interupt you. They wait for you to make eye contact. now that we figured this out, we get star treatment.

What I love about DLP in the main are the cultural differences. And if a cast member smiles, you know it is real.