Nice things to do for CM's (and a couple special ones thrown in for Guests)

[MommytoMJM]

I was thinking about some stuff and wondered what types of things others do for guests or CM's...

I always call CM's by name

I take Thank You notes to CM's who did special things for us and write to their bosses

I thank the custodial CM's for keeping the park beautiful

and now I can tell them about this forum! YAY!!!!

I totally forgot the most important thing we do:
As you all know, MJ doesn't like characters (except from a long distance) so we started a CM autograph book for her. She always makes us stop so she can give CM's a high 5 or a hug, so now she also has ones that are special to her sign her autograph book. I cry everytime I read it.....some of the entries are VERY moving.


Guests:

I thank the vets who participate in the Flag Retreat for their service to us and our country

I thank smokers who are smoking in designated areas rather than out in the parks

What things do you do?

[Jiminy Cricket]

I will mention their hometown and/or college/university; if there is time will chit chat.

If they are from a foreign country, I will say hello in their langauge. They really appreciate that. Here is a list:

Alnôbaôdwawôgan/Abenaki People:Kwai
Australian: Hello,Gi'day, Buon giorno, Kalimera, Gello, Hi or Yo
Australian Aborigine: Vaturak
Arabic: Al salaam a'alaykum
Albanian: Tung
Armenian: Parev
Ashley : Guachumana
Bosnian: zdravo
Botswana: Dumella rah
Bulgarian:Dobur Den or Zdrasti( more informal)
Cantonese: So san, lei ho
Cambodian: khmer,or khmai.( jum-reap suor)
Cherokee: Oh-see-YOH
Chinese: Ni hao
Choctaw: Halito ( hah-leh-TOH)
Croatia: Bog (hello) Dobar dan (good day)
Czeck: Nazdar
Danish Hej
Dutch: Hallo
Finnish: hei, heippa or "moi"
Esperanto: Saluton
Estonian: Tere
Ethiopian/ Amharic Tena Yistilign
Fijian:Bula Bula
French: Bonjour
German: Guten Tag
German (NORTH): Moin Moin, or NA
German (South): Gruss Gott (Greet God) Gruss dich, Grüezi (Greet You)
Greek: Kalimera, Yasas
Hawaiian: Aloha
Hassa: (Niger, West Africa) Sannu
Hebrew: Shalom
Hindi: Namasthe
Hungarian: Szia
Indonesian: Selamat pagi
Italian: Buon giorno , or ciao!
Irish Dia Dhuit (literally means God be with you)
Japanese: Konichiwa
Korean: Annyong ha simnikka or ANYO
Latvian: Labdien
L'nuwísim: Míkmaq people Kwé
Malagasy: (from Madagascar) Salama tompko
Malayam: Vanakkam
Maltiseconhamyak
Marathi Namaskar
Mayan: Ba'ax ka wa'alik
Maori (from New Zealand): Kia ora
Mohawk: Sekoh
Navaho: Yá'át'ééh
Nepali: Namasute
New Zealand: (Maori): Kia Ora
Norwegian God dag (like Swedish) or Hei
Pakistani/
Urdu: Assalam-o-alaikum,Adaab,Tasleemat
Pushtu: Senga Yai
Sindhi: Kehro haal aahei
Balti: Yang chi halyo? Pacific Islands:
Marshall Islands - Yokway
Palau - Ali
Chuuk - Ranalim
Pohnpei - Kasaleliah (Kasa-lay-le-yah)
Guam (Chamoru) - Hafa Adai (Hof-a-day)
Persian: salam
Polish: Czesc (tcheshtch) or Dziendobry (jindobrerh-good day)
Portuguese: Bom dia,
Portugese (Brazillian)OLÁ
Punjabi : Sat Sri Akal
Romanian: Buna ziua
Russian: Zdravstvuite, Preevyet
Serbo-Croatian: Dobar dan
Sioux Indian: dakota (means hi friend)Slovak: Ahoj
Slovenian: Zivjo (hello), Dober dan (good day)
Spanish: Hola, Buenos dias,
Swahili: Jambo
Swedish: God dag
Swiss-German: Hoi
Taiwanese: li ho bo
Tamil: Vanakkam
Tagalog (Filipino): Magandang tanghali , Kamusta, Como estaka
Telugu: Namaskaram
Thai (from boy) sa-wa DEE Krab
Thai (from Girl) sa-wa DEE kah
Tibetan: Tashi Delek
Turkish: Merhaba
Ubi Dubi: hubelubo
Welsh: Bore da Zarma- (Niger, West Africa) Fofo


P.S. Don't forget the deaf or hearing impaired. "Hello" is signed by moving the hand from the forehead in an outward and down motion, similar to a salute.


I always leave a tip for the Mousekeepers at the resorts.


I e-mail WDW Disney Guest Relations to compliment the CMs.

[dzney4lyf]

You left out Americans.... Sup?

[olmec26]

I like the Ubi Dubi...glubad tubo knubow thubat Iub'm nubot thube ubonluby pubersubon tubo ubunduberstuband thubat lubangubage!

[MommytoMJM]

That is a nice reference to have JC....does anyone else do other nice things for CM's?

[Pixmel]

does anyone else do other nice things for CM's?

I would just like to say after reading this thread . . . THANK YOU!

As a CM personally, I really am there for one thing . . . to make the guests happy. But it is a nice change to find a group that cares about us, too.

It's nice to know once in a while that what we do can and does make a difference.

Thanks again.

[disneydreamer98]

I would just like to say after reading this thread . . . THANK YOU!

As a CM personally, I really am there for one thing . . . to make the guests happy. But it is a nice change to find a group that cares about us, too.

It's nice to know once in a while that what we do can and does make a difference.

Thanks again.

Welcome Pixmel!!!! And thank you for being one of the special CM's who place so much effort into making us all happy!!!

I too am big on thank you notes and writing letters to WDW to express thanks for a job well done when a CM goes above and beyond! In general I believe that people are quick to complain and write letters when things go bad...I think it's only fair and right to show appreciation when things are great! Everyone loves to get positive feedback!

[shadesofgreen]

As a former (and still kinda) CM I can tell you that the best thing to do is treat us with respect. Other than that, fill out comment cards for any CM that does a great job, our rare raises and bonuses depend on those cards, and when a good one comes in for a CM it is a great morale boost for everyone because they show that we are having a positive effect on you as a guest. When we recieve good comments written from a guest, it is just as much a magical moment as anything that happens in the parks.

[DissyLove]

First, Welcome Pixmel!
I always leave a tip for mousekeeping, I think it is often one of those thankless jobs in the parks.

I also ofteon say a special "hello" to those I see from Michigan, and ask them where they are from in my home state, etc.

I also speak to CM's that are from Mexico or Spain in Spanish as much as I can, they seem to appreciate it.

I give a special thanks to the characters-I know the kids (like mine) love them, but I let them know I appreciate what they do.

Also, when I see someone listening to complaints or problems (ie-why is this bathroom closed? You mean I gotta walk all they way over to Fantasyland for the next one?) I make a special point of giving that CM a big smile, and have a good attitude with them...I mean, it should be a happy place for all!

[TalkingHands]

P.S. Don't forget the deaf or hearing impaired. "Hello" is signed by moving the hand from the forehead in an outward and down motion, similar to a salute.

Most people I know who prefer to call themselves hearing impaired can't sign. They are oral. Preferred terms are deaf and hard of hearing.
Also it is just out not down. like a salute.

[Pixmel]

As a former (and still kinda) CM I can tell you that the best thing to do is treat us with respect. Other than that, fill out comment cards for any CM that does a great job, our rare raises and bonuses depend on those cards, and when a good one comes in for a CM it is a great morale boost for everyone because they show that we are having a positive effect on you as a guest. When we recieve good comments written from a guest, it is just as much a magical moment as anything that happens in the parks.

I totally agree. I have a lot of guests that offer to give me tips. However, those of us in merchandise are not supposed to accept them which is just fine with me anyway. I certainly don't expect to be paid something extra for doing what I feel is my job and what I should be doing in the first place.

I usually tell guests if they really want to do something special for me, mail in a note, send an email or stop by Guest Relations and fill out a Guest Fanatic card. Those go a lot farther for my Disney career than any tip any day.

Don't get me wrong, I sincerely appreciate the offer of the tip, but it's the wonderful memories of the moments that I truly cherish. And I agree with you. . . getting that feedback makes my whole day, week, month, year! My own little Magical Moment and warm fuzzies. Makes me feel wonderful that what I do makes a difference in a guest's stay. I wish I could do something extra or magical for every person that visits WDW. Although that's impossible, I personally try for as many as I can.

[cjdiggs]

I always loved being called by my name. Its alot better than hey you, and sir is just a bit to informal in most cases. Anytime i go to the parks now I use the CM's first name.

[Winnie]

"I also ofteon say a special "hello" to those I see from Michigan, and ask them where they are from in my home state, etc."

ME TOO! I am also from Michigan - I wonder how many more people do that when they see someone from their home state? Our itinerary planner, Pam, was Michigan which made planning our honeymoon 3 years ago a lot more fun!

[disneydreamer98]

"I also ofteon say a special "hello" to those I see from Michigan, and ask them where they are from in my home state, etc."

ME TOO! I am also from Michigan - I wonder how many more people do that when they see someone from their home state? Our itinerary planner, Pam, was Michigan which made planning our honeymoon 3 years ago a lot more fun!

I do the same thing and am also from Michigan! I have to say that I was disappointed that the special nametags they have for the Happiest Celebration on Earth doesn't list the CM's hometown!

I know where in Michigan Dissylove is from, but how about you Winnie? I live in Auburn Hills which is a Northern suburb of Detroit.

[Winnie]

I am from Niles which is the Southwestern Lower part of Michigan, 7 miles from the Indiana State Line & the University of Notre Dame, although I am a U of M fan! My husband is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico.


I also forgot to add that although we are there for a magical time and to escape reality, I really try hard to treat the CM's with so much respect. They are doing something to make my stay special and if the shoe was reversed I know that I would want to be treated kindly. I have learned that the more I greet or talk to the CM's the more I actually get back by making a friend while I am there. ( Maybe it is a Social Worker thing )

I also live by the rule, if I can write, call, or speak to someone to complain, I can complement good behavior, treatment, or service just as well.