Cruise 'Snobs'

[MadMonkey572]

When the wife and I were on our 1st cruise last month, we found that generally, most passengers were very friendly toward us, but, there were a few occassions when we were felt to feel 'lower class', for example, eating in the windjammer on Indy one night, we both decided to have something a burger.

 

On a table nearby, there were a group of people, tutting, and muttering under their breath about "these young people always eating junk food!" (we're both in our 30's, and this was the only time, apart from JR's we ate burgers!)

 

Another time, my wife was told to "Shut up, girl!" by a woman reading, when she was talking to someone else by the pool. Others were complaining about the amount of 'young people and families'. It seemed to me that some of these people felt that cruising was the reserve of the upper classes, and the more 'senior' folk. I even said to one that if they felt that way, don't book a cruise on a ship like Indy, which is a family-ship.

 

do others experience this? Or is it a rare thing?

 

Sounds like they would enjoy a cruise on a Holland America ship... I don't think I've seen anyone under 75* on one of those :D

 

 

 

*no offense to anyone under 75 who does cruise Holland America :o

[kristyintx]

After reading this thread, I felt compelled to share this story...My apologies in advance, as it is long! This Post involves cruising, life in general, and my own personal experiences. The names of the innocent have been changed to remain "anonymous"!

 

(Perhaps I should have created a new thread entitled "Rude People"!)

 

My DH and I are frequent cruisers with RCCL. Many years earlier, on a different RCCL ship "far, far away", we met and befriended a Bartender, whom to this day, remains our true friend. Via e-mail, over the years, our respective families have shared both the triumphs and tragedies of "Life".

 

On a "recent" RCCL sailing, the aforementioned friend was the Bartender at the Disco. Every night, DH and I would go "early" to get a seat for me at the bar, so I could talk to our friend, listen to the trendy music, watch the dancers, and meet new people. After seeing me safely "settled in" at the Disco bar, DH would then proceed to the Casino for his daily donation!

 

On Night 4, DH returned from the Casino to the Disco with two Comedians who were performing on the ship. The four of us started a lively conversation. At about 11:30 PM, a very "large" female, REEKING of perfume and simply REELING from alcohol, squeezed into the bar stool next to me. (Bear in mind that the bar stools are fixed to the floor!)

 

My DH and the two Comedians were standing around me...I was seated upon my bar stool. Consequently, I had my back to the "newcomer".

 

The bar at the Disco on the ship was a designated "Smoking" section. I lit a cigarette! :eek:

 

I immediately felt a current of air from behind me! To my surprise, this woman had grabbed a "Drink Menu" and started vigorously fanning me: My hair and my back!

 

She then started alternately "sucking her tongue like "tsk, tsk", dramatically shrugging her shoulders, and loudly "sighing". After ignoring her for a few minutes, I could not help but turn around and ask, "I'm sorry, but is there a problem?"

 

She replied, with a distinctive Southern "drunken" drawl, "Y'all neeth to puth that out...Right now!"

 

Ever cordial, I replied, "Oh, I'm sorry, girlfriend, but the Bar is the "Smoking" section. Nearly all of the tables in this club are Non-Smoking. You won't have to deal with the smoke over there." (And I gestured to the non-smoking area.)

 

She then said, "But I want to sit at thaaaaah Baaaaaaaaar." (As she nearly toppeled over my lap!)

 

At that point, sensing a "No Win" situation, I swiveled my seat back around to rejoin the conversation with DH and the two Comedians.

 

She then proceeded to yell at our friend, the Bartender, "BOY! BOY!"

 

<Perk>...That got my attention!

 

She then had the audacity to say, "MAKE this B*#ch put out that f&*$ing cigarette!" (She used the "real" words and actually pointed at me with really scary long fingernails!!)

 

Now...our friend the Bartender, is from St. Vincent. He is not "pigmentally-challenged" and also smokes cigarettes. Anyone calling him "Boy" is simply "wrong"!

 

True to his character, he maintained his "cool". He looked the drunken, obese, stupid, overly-scented, and bitchy "Prima Dona wannabe", in the eye, and flashed her his "most dazzling" smile...

 

Cool as a cucumber, he said "This LADY (with emphasis on the word, and a nod of his head in my direction!) may smoke here. I recommend you move to the "Non-smoking" area of the club, or return to your stateroom. This bar area will probably become much smokier as people start coming from the Casino".

 

At this point, my DH and the Comedians (all NON-smokers) had finally "caught wind" (pun intended!) of what was happening. One of the Comedians picked up my pack of cigs, and said, "F - it. I quit five years ago, but getting this obnoxious, drunk, fat, stinky cow "out of my eyesight" is absolutely worth three minutes of my life!" Both the other comedian, and shock of all shocks, my DH, lit up! (I'm sure they did not "inhale"!)

 

Needless to say, the rest of that evening was hilarious, as the two Comedians (and even my witty DH!), tried to "out-Joke" each other with Fat Jokes, Southern Jokes, Hillbilly Jokes, etc!

 

I should qualify this by saying that I consider myself to be an "extremely conscientious" smoker. I always abide by RCCL's rules, and, even though I'm allowed to, I never smoke on my balcony if I hear any neighbors on adjoining balconies. (Never!!!)

 

A female "invaded my space" with her odiferous girth. When she "honored the bar" with her presence, not only did she immediately demand I instantly alter my habits, she insulted my friend, who happens to be a Crew member, and further, demanded an instant change in RCCL policy!

 

The Moral of the Story (in a nutshell): Mean People Suck!

 

Best regards,

Terry

 

P.S.U. My "Role Model" is a Senior Citizen...His name is Joe Paterno, and, as a Penn State Alum, I will always attempt to follow his example: Success with Integrity! One cannot go wrong with THAT mantra!!!!

 

ROFL .... now THAT is a great story!!!! Good for you and your group for not stooping to her level, yet not bowing down to her either. I love it! Thanks for sharing :)

[sparky-elpaso]

Sounds like they would enjoy a cruise on a Holland America ship... I don't think I've seen anyone under 75* on one of those :D

 

 

 

*no offense to anyone under 75 who does cruise Holland America :o

 

Remember - you too shall eventually attain the exalted age of 75. :)

 

I used to tell my younger son when he was doing his imitation of an old person with a cane that one day one of those "old persons" was going to whack him a good one with that cane. Of course, he and his friends (all of them with long hair, earrings, a few tattoos, etc.) would go to the mall and walk around and open doors for seniors, say yes, ma'am, no sir, and just gently get it across that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.

[klingoncruiser]

There are grumble butts in every crowd. No different on a cruise. Most people are having a wonderful time and it shows. A small number of them will never be happy! Oh well....

[nydoll1]

We were on Oasis during Spring Break, and in general, everyone was extremely polite. One glaring exception. One night in the theatre for Hairspray we were sitting next to a Brazilian couple with a small child, couldnt tell if it was a daughter or a grandaughter. They talked throughout the entire show and although I was tempted to shhh them I restrained myself, we're all on vacation, live and let live, the kid was way to young to be there and was probably fidgety, whatever. When the show was over we got up to leave with everyone else but the aisles were crowded and we were down front. Apparently I wasnt moving fast enough for this woman -- trust me, I'm from NY, I move as fast as humanly possible in crowds -- so she put both of her hands on my back and PUSHED! OK, at first thought it was my kids messing around so I turned around and she just stared, I said excuse me and she dropped her hands. Two seconds later, when I got out of our row and started up the stairs she did it again. It was at that moment when I had to make the decision, do I turn around and tell her if she touches me again it will be the last thing she touches for a while or do I just dodge her and keep on going. I dodged, felt sort of good that I took the high ground, but every now and then I so wish I would have told her she was lucky she still had her hands..........Well, at least she wasnt smothered in perfume. That probably would have pushed me right over the edge, no pun intended. Live and let live, its better than the alternative. :)

[JsMom2]

When the wife and I were on our 1st cruise last month, we found that generally, most passengers were very friendly toward us, but, there were a few occassions when we were felt to feel 'lower class', for example, eating in the windjammer on Indy one night, we both decided to have something a burger.

 

On a table nearby, there were a group of people, tutting, and muttering under their breath about "these young people always eating junk food!" (we're both in our 30's, and this was the only time, apart from JR's we ate burgers!)

 

Another time, my wife was told to "Shut up, girl!" by a woman reading, when she was talking to someone else by the pool. Others were complaining about the amount of 'young people and families'. It seemed to me that some of these people felt that cruising was the reserve of the upper classes, and the more 'senior' folk. I even said to one that if they felt that way, don't book a cruise on a ship like Indy, which is a family-ship.

 

do others experience this? Or is it a rare thing?

 

So sorry you had this experience! My DD and I lived in Belgium for 3 years and cruised Europe quite frequently - including a 10 nt on Indy out of the UK. We used to head straight for the burgers and hot dogs at the buffets, because that was the only time we got good ole' American "junk" food! I don't remember ever encountering anyone who thought they were better than us. I hope you keep cruising and that your next experience is more positive!

[startwin]

Sounds like they would enjoy a cruise on a Holland America ship... I don't think I've seen anyone under 75* on one of those :D

 

 

 

*no offense to anyone under 75 who does cruise Holland America :o

 

Glad you added the disclaimer, because I am a regular HAL cruiser, and I'm a looooooong way from 75. Our experience is yes, indeed, there are a few more older people on HAL, not that many though. And I've had better nightlife on there than on some RCI ships. Having said that though, I have to admit that my story of the rudest person I've met happened onboard a HAL ship. But there have been some doozies on others that we've been on.

[startwin]

Another posting... sorry, just thought of something else :o

 

Sometimes a situation can bring out the worst in people. On Mariner in April I noticed a lot of rude behaviour whenever there was a line-up for something. Especially to get into the Ice Show. Now there was a place to find cruise snobs! People who thought they were so special they had to go to the head of the line even though they'd just arrived. And when the crew ushered in those with physical handicaps first, one woman loudly demanded to know what made "those people" so special.

 

Human nature can be ugly sometimes.

[teajak]

I have been keeping up with this thread and need help from fellow posters. We cruise a lot and love doing it. I am 82 and my DH is 84. I must use a walker due to a problem with back surgery. After reading your posts I need help in deciding what type of euthanasia I should choose. It seems that from the majority of posts you would be happy if we stayed home and vegetated never to be seen again. Go back and reread just the posts on this page alone, I really like the comment about HAL,"I don't think I have seen anyone under 75 on one of these." I certainly am not condoning the rude behavior mentioned, these few instances were rude and uncalled for, but really to group all elderly people together is ludicrous. Smell the roses and look for the rainbow, I do each day. See you in the casino.

[shonandsuzie]

EVALUATOR-LMAO.. That story is one of the reasons we love cruising so much! People watching at it's finest!:D:p It's so entertaining if you don't let people get to you.

 

We also love comedians. So when people begin to judge us, we like to use a simple quote from Katt Williams to keep our self esteem in check;

"It's called self esteem, esteem of your ____-____ ing self":eek::D

Edited June 5, 2010 by shonandsuzie

[N&PJ]

Rudeness isn't the sole perogative of the supposed 'upper classes', or the elderly.

Last October we sailed from Vancouver down the western seaboard.

There were two lines for boarding - one for US/Canadian citizens and one for 'other' nationalities. We were in the latter line when a youngish american lady passed us with her partner in their rapidly moving line, we overheard her say "I didn't think there would be so many foreigners on this cruise". One knows ones place, doesn't one.

[Chitoryubt]

We were on Oasis during Spring Break, and in general, everyone was extremely polite. One glaring exception. One night in the theatre for Hairspray we were sitting next to a Brazilian couple with a small child, couldnt tell if it was a daughter or a grandaughter. They talked throughout the entire show and although I was tempted to shhh them I restrained myself, we're all on vacation, live and let live, the kid was way to young to be there and was probably fidgety, whatever. When the show was over we got up to leave with everyone else but the aisles were crowded and we were down front. Apparently I wasnt moving fast enough for this woman -- trust me, I'm from NY, I move as fast as humanly possible in crowds -- so she put both of her hands on my back and PUSHED! OK, at first thought it was my kids messing around so I turned around and she just stared, I said excuse me and she dropped her hands. Two seconds later, when I got out of our row and started up the stairs she did it again. It was at that moment when I had to make the decision, do I turn around and tell her if she touches me again it will be the last thing she touches for a while or do I just dodge her and keep on going. I dodged, felt sort of good that I took the high ground, but every now and then I so wish I would have told her she was lucky she still had her hands..........Well, at least she wasnt smothered in perfume. That probably would have pushed me right over the edge, no pun intended. Live and let live, its better than the alternative. :)

 

I admire your restraint. What she did is absolutely unacceptable behavior. It is lucky for her that she pushed YOU, because there are many people who would have pushed back. I don't like strangers touching me, much less PUSHING me.

 

I'm going to have to turn this one over in my mind a bit and think about how I will respond if that ever happens to me! Good job on taking the high road, by the way. I hope I can show the same restraint.

[krewzin]

 

but getting this obnoxious, drunk, fat, stinky cow "out of my eyesight" is absolutely worth three minutes of my life!"

 

Needless to say, the rest of that evening was hilarious, as the two Comedians (and even my witty DH!), tried to "out-Joke" each other with Fat Jokes, Southern Jokes, Hillbilly Jokes, etc!

 

 

 

So, what about those overweight folks who were within earshot of your jokes, did they deserve to be made fun of too? I guess lucky for her she wasn't a jewish black lesbian, too.:rolleyes:

[MagSeven1413]

P.S.U. My "Role Model" is a Senior Citizen...His name is Joe Paterno, and, as a Penn State Alum, I will always attempt to follow his example: Success with Integrity! One cannot go wrong with THAT mantra!!!!

From one PSU alum to another, Paterno is the greatest role model for anyone!

[debates2]

When the wife and I were on our 1st cruise last month, we found that generally, most passengers were very friendly toward us, but, there were a few occassions when we were felt to feel 'lower class', for example, eating in the windjammer on Indy one night, we both decided to have something a burger.

 

On a table nearby, there were a group of people, tutting, and muttering under their breath about "these young people always eating junk food!" (we're both in our 30's, and this was the only time, apart from JR's we ate burgers!)

 

Another time, my wife was told to "Shut up, girl!" by a woman reading, when she was talking to someone else by the pool. Others were complaining about the amount of 'young people and families'. It seemed to me that some of these people felt that cruising was the reserve of the upper classes, and the more 'senior' folk. I even said to one that if they felt that way, don't book a cruise on a ship like Indy, which is a family-ship.

 

do others experience this? Or is it a rare thing?

 

I'm afraid if I were caught in the right mood and told to "shut up" I'd request the other party to shut the heck up themselves. Probably not the right response, but if I'm having fun and not being overtly loud, then mind your blank business.

[booze brothers]

No need to get upset with someone that rude LOL..

 

When this happens to me, I just look at the person and say, " Hi" and how are you today. Gosh that's a nice shirt" Or whatever. People don't know how to respond. So, I go off smiling and thinking what an a@# they are.

[Cruising89143]

My issue are with the ones that try to enter the elevator before anyone has a chance to step out. Last week on the Oasis, my patience was tried mulitple times. I finally got tired of it and by the end of the week, I started to put my shoulder into the person that tried to enter before I could exit. Age here is not the factor. It was all ages. Even saying "excuse me" on the way out did not work.

Edited June 5, 2010 by cruisingator2

[Cruising89143]

Needless to say, the rest of that evening was hilarious, as the two Comedians (and even my witty DH!), tried to "out-Joke" each other with Fat Jokes, Southern Jokes, Hillbilly Jokes, etc!

 

 

The Moral of the Story (in a nutshell): Mean People Suck!

 

Best regards,

Terry

 

P.S.U. My "Role Model" is a Senior Citizen...His name is Joe Paterno, and, as a Penn State Alum, I will always attempt to follow his example: Success with Integrity! One cannot go wrong with THAT mantra!!!!

 

So you and your little group decided to lump all southerners into one group? What this person did was wrong but your making comments about an entire segment of people out loud is just as wrong. Pot meet kettle. You're no better than the person that you described.:rolleyes:

[Captain Jake]

So you and your little group decided to lump all southerners into one group? What this person did was wrong but your making comments about an entire segment of people out loud is just as wrong. Pot meet kettle. You're no better than the person that you described.:rolleyes:

 

Actually I did not believe that story.Seemed to be a bunch of baloney.These stories of obnoxious non smokers always decribe them as overweight,drenched in perfume,and waving hands frantically.The way the bartender was addressed in her tale was uncommon in the fifties let alone today.

:cj

[Captain Jake]

From one PSU alum to another, Paterno is the greatest role model for anyone!

 

Joe Gibbs is greater

:cj

[mtchg]

The rudest by far are the ones who call older people rude.Such selfish self centered snobs.No doubt their children will treat them badly one day with attitudes like that

:cj

 

No one said ALL..or even MOST senior citizens are rude. However there is a small but vocal portion of the seasoned citizen group, that consider themselves naturally entitled by their age to not follow the normal traditions of politeness and decorum in group settings; and quite frankly most of them are females.

 

I experienced that on one 8 nite cruise imparticularly...cutting in line, loud inappropriate complaining..basically the same self centered behavior the above poster has accused their critics of.

 

I always stay polite; bite my tongue and "respect my elders" (and hey I'm in my 50's)....but I don't appreciate it, and the criticism of their behavior on this forum is justified.

 

 

Mitch

Edited June 5, 2010 by mtchg

[mtchg]

Joe Gibbs is greater

:cj

 

John Wooden. RIP....and he wouldn't put up with some of his contemporaries behavior either.

[PrincesScuba]

no need to get upset with someone that rude lol..

 

When this happens to me, i just look at the person and say, " hi" and how are you today. Gosh that's a nice shirt" or whatever. People don't know how to respond. So, i go off smiling and thinking what an a@# they are.

 

:) :) :) :)

[Captain Jake]

John Wooden. RIP....and he wouldn't put up with some of his contemporaries behavior either.

 

99.Great man

:cj

[SRAFROG]

Have to chime in here. I am an old bat who rides a scooter.

I travel alone since my husband passed away. Rudeness to me is people

who rush in front of me to get into an elevator knowing I am trying to get in also.

 

Have humorous incident to tell though. My husband and I were seated at a

table with 6 German tourists. They spoke German only. They hated America,

hated the ship, hated the food and crew. They made fun of my husband

who was a big guy with long hair. They pittied me because of him.

There are two forms of German, the formal German and the slang version

which they were talking. At the end of the evening as we were leaving

I spoke to them in my best formal German and said I hoped they are

enjoying the cruise and America. They all turned white as sheets and

then very red in the face.

 

Sometimes you can use scarcasm to deal with rude people.