Another Season
The first rains have come and autumn is here. A couple of changes I've noticed from working in the park this year though, it hasn't been quite as busy as I remember which from my end has been something of a relief, it got a bit crazy at times back then. That many people being grouchy in the heat isn't so good either, plus the screaming kids and babies and people talking on their mobiles and to each other when you're trying to do a tour.
I'm much more confidant in telling people to be quiet, where last time I would have often not said anything but I'm much less willing to put up with people being rude like that. When it gets to point where I can't hear myself talking it must be awful for people who have paid to hear what you have to say. As I'm getting older I'm getting much less tolerant of people being stupid and rude.
There's definitely a difference between people who don't quite know where they're going in a new place, and I'm perfectly happy to answer the same questions and give the same directions a hundred times to people who make the effort to ask. I would probably do the same in that situation and being polite and wanting information I have no problem with.
I have almost no patience now though for plain stupidity, arrogance and rudeness. Warning, there is a rant ahead.
I can understand how people jump out of vehicles reay to punch someone, because to be honest, there have been times I would have got of my tram if I'd had the chance and given some people a piece of my mind. There hasn't been much of a problem with anyone accusing us being cruel to animals or idiots like that. It's the drivers round the park that are the problem.
First issue: One Way Road.
The problem is when they go one way, but in the wrong direction. A short reversal when you've missed a turning and there's no other traffic, fine. Going way over the speed limit on busy day because you can't be arsed to take 20 minutes to drive back round to the exit, NO. Then you have people ignoring the flashing police motorbike, bright orange cones and the policeman making it clear that direction is not available.
Best moment ever was watching him shout at the driver for going right through the rather obvious road block.
Second Issue: Standing Round the Horses.
Pet the horses, say hello, take a picture. No problem. There are many, and I looked up the definition for this, but retarded people when it comes to dealing with horses.
NOUN: a person who is stupid, obtuse, or ineffective in some way.
Do you think the back end of the horse is the best place to stand? I maybe overestimating, and I wish I had kept a tally for the percentage, but it feels like about 80% of people go straight for the back of the horse to stand for a photo. Then when you tell them to move to the front, they flinch if the horse so much as twitches his ears like they're going to be eaten.
First rules of horses, NEVER stand behind a horse, especially one you don't know. Some of our horses, when you have to go behind them, I still keep an eye on them and make sure they know I'm there first.
The nice wooden fence and manure bucket blocking the way when the horses are parked aren't enough of a clue you're not allowed to walk up behind a strange horse or you're out of bounds. Little children fine, but I had a grown up who said she's used to horses walk right up behind them.
The worst offenders this season to date though are these.
One man precariously balancing his little daughter on the fence, holding on to her belt with one hand and taking a picture with the other. She's wobbling, I'm actually raising my voice through the microphone to tell to move right now and he blatantly ignores me. Then when afterwards when I tell him she could fall onto the concrete and under the horses feet he says "Oh, cos that would be bad." Top candidate for face punching.
Next up are family of six, grandparents and grown kids. First thing in the morning I turn my back for the 30 seconds to get some water for the horses and the have got themselves right behind the horses, where they're attached to the tram. I practically had a heart attack on the spot and shouted at them move and again it's the same dumb, oh right, 'cause that could be dangerous. I've never had someone make me that angry first thing in the morning that quickly. I was angry with them for about half of the tour as well. Then when I mentally forgave them, let it go and got o the end they give me a mini Bibal with the comment. "You told us about the past, now here's something about the future." Very nice people but so stupid! Also the last part was more bemusing.
Then you get to the people who constantly cut you up, almost take of the horses noses, shout as they drive past and try and slap them when they go by. I shouted at one lady who pretended to slap one of my horses on the bum when I was at the Totem Poles. Every time someone does that now I get this flash of anger and I just want to get off my tram and do something about it. Cars parked in our spaces too.
I think I got more angry about things after watching some of a show called Canada's Worst Driver. People nominated by friends, family and spouses for being appalling and incompetent drivers. When they mean bad, it's horrific. These people shouldn't be allowed on the road and should never have passed their tests.
Still, despite the rant I've actually had a really good summer and things are still going well so far.
I'm much more confidant in telling people to be quiet, where last time I would have often not said anything but I'm much less willing to put up with people being rude like that. When it gets to point where I can't hear myself talking it must be awful for people who have paid to hear what you have to say. As I'm getting older I'm getting much less tolerant of people being stupid and rude.
There's definitely a difference between people who don't quite know where they're going in a new place, and I'm perfectly happy to answer the same questions and give the same directions a hundred times to people who make the effort to ask. I would probably do the same in that situation and being polite and wanting information I have no problem with.
I have almost no patience now though for plain stupidity, arrogance and rudeness. Warning, there is a rant ahead.
I can understand how people jump out of vehicles reay to punch someone, because to be honest, there have been times I would have got of my tram if I'd had the chance and given some people a piece of my mind. There hasn't been much of a problem with anyone accusing us being cruel to animals or idiots like that. It's the drivers round the park that are the problem.
First issue: One Way Road.
The problem is when they go one way, but in the wrong direction. A short reversal when you've missed a turning and there's no other traffic, fine. Going way over the speed limit on busy day because you can't be arsed to take 20 minutes to drive back round to the exit, NO. Then you have people ignoring the flashing police motorbike, bright orange cones and the policeman making it clear that direction is not available.
Best moment ever was watching him shout at the driver for going right through the rather obvious road block.
Second Issue: Standing Round the Horses.
Pet the horses, say hello, take a picture. No problem. There are many, and I looked up the definition for this, but retarded people when it comes to dealing with horses.
NOUN: a person who is stupid, obtuse, or ineffective in some way.
Do you think the back end of the horse is the best place to stand? I maybe overestimating, and I wish I had kept a tally for the percentage, but it feels like about 80% of people go straight for the back of the horse to stand for a photo. Then when you tell them to move to the front, they flinch if the horse so much as twitches his ears like they're going to be eaten.
First rules of horses, NEVER stand behind a horse, especially one you don't know. Some of our horses, when you have to go behind them, I still keep an eye on them and make sure they know I'm there first.
The nice wooden fence and manure bucket blocking the way when the horses are parked aren't enough of a clue you're not allowed to walk up behind a strange horse or you're out of bounds. Little children fine, but I had a grown up who said she's used to horses walk right up behind them.
The worst offenders this season to date though are these.
One man precariously balancing his little daughter on the fence, holding on to her belt with one hand and taking a picture with the other. She's wobbling, I'm actually raising my voice through the microphone to tell to move right now and he blatantly ignores me. Then when afterwards when I tell him she could fall onto the concrete and under the horses feet he says "Oh, cos that would be bad." Top candidate for face punching.
Next up are family of six, grandparents and grown kids. First thing in the morning I turn my back for the 30 seconds to get some water for the horses and the have got themselves right behind the horses, where they're attached to the tram. I practically had a heart attack on the spot and shouted at them move and again it's the same dumb, oh right, 'cause that could be dangerous. I've never had someone make me that angry first thing in the morning that quickly. I was angry with them for about half of the tour as well. Then when I mentally forgave them, let it go and got o the end they give me a mini Bibal with the comment. "You told us about the past, now here's something about the future." Very nice people but so stupid! Also the last part was more bemusing.
Then you get to the people who constantly cut you up, almost take of the horses noses, shout as they drive past and try and slap them when they go by. I shouted at one lady who pretended to slap one of my horses on the bum when I was at the Totem Poles. Every time someone does that now I get this flash of anger and I just want to get off my tram and do something about it. Cars parked in our spaces too.
I think I got more angry about things after watching some of a show called Canada's Worst Driver. People nominated by friends, family and spouses for being appalling and incompetent drivers. When they mean bad, it's horrific. These people shouldn't be allowed on the road and should never have passed their tests.
Still, despite the rant I've actually had a really good summer and things are still going well so far.