I just read a post on facebook that said the bartenders are rude to kids using soda cards on board? Has anyone experienced this? We are sailing on the Inspiration in August with 2 boys 14 and 9. I had intended on purchasing soda cards for everyone! Thanks!

ainyork:

I just read a post on facebook that said the bartenders are rude to kids using soda cards on board? Has anyone experienced this? We are sailing on the Inspiration in August with 2 boys 14 and 9. I had intended on purchasing soda cards for everyone! Thanks!

It's honestly a lot cheaper to buy a case of soft drinks before the cruise and taking it on board with you.

Just saying.

ainyork:

I just read a post on facebook that said the bartenders are rude to kids using soda cards on board? Has anyone experienced this? We are sailing on the Inspiration in August with 2 boys 14 and 9. I had intended on purchasing soda cards for everyone! Thanks!

never ,my daughter uses all the time and sometimes she even share the soda card with others and never had any issues

I've never seen 'rude'.  What I've seen is that when a bar gets busy, the bartenders concentrate on those who wish to purchase alcohol and will provide a current tip to the bartender's daily coffer.

...which, if we were to look at it from their point of view, we might likely do as well.  If we can serve only 20 people in a given amount of time, are you going to serve 20 people who will be providing you with a cash tip on the purchase, or 15 cash tips and 5 whose tip has already been paid?

But looking at it from our point of view, we paid for a service and we have a legitimate expectation of getting it.

Quite the dilemma.  We've complained about this sort of thing before: Fountain Fun Pass holders get overlooked at busy times. 

ainyork:

I just read a post on facebook that said the bartenders are rude to kids using soda cards on board? Has anyone experienced this? We are sailing on the Inspiration in August with 2 boys 14 and 9. I had intended on purchasing soda cards for everyone! Thanks!

That has not been or experience.  Usually the bartenders treat the kids as they are treated.  If the kids are butting in line or demanding service and generally being rude, then they may be treated rude back.  If they are nice and respectful they will be treated that way.

Hi Thanks!

BugMeNot:

It's honestly a lot cheaper to buy a case of soft drinks before the cruise and taking it on board with you.

Just saying.

As long as you don't mind running back to your stash whenever you want one.

Our children had soda cards!! Once after serving my son (who tips) many ,many cherry sprites the bartender said to him "you no to much soda is bad for you" and my son said so is achol but I don't see you telling any of those adults that!! The bartender replyed "touché". and served him as many as he could drink and always with a smile!!! So I agree with the other people posting rude begets rude and polite begets polite!! We come from a family of resturant and bartender workers and our children appreciate good service and always say thank you very much and they also tip not every soda but enough to keep the bartenders on their side!!   Good manners matter!! and go along way. Have a good trip treat the servers the way you would like to be treated! Smiles and thank you s go along way... and that goes for the adults as well

lwolfson:

Usually the bartenders treat the kids as they are treated.  If the kids are butting in line or demanding service and generally being rude, then they may be treated rude back.  If they are nice and respectful they will be treated that way.

IMHO, that's exactly it.

I know that my own kid sometimes "forgets" his manors, and I would never ever fault a server for responding in kind.  If that upsets my kid, I can certainly take the opportunity to remind him of the inappropriate way he acted.

I remember on our first cruise, there were these 2 boys that were constantly at the atrium bar where my husband and I spent alot of time (people watching of course).  The bartender, Vinko, called them his favorite customers, and proceded to explain how polite and respectful they were.  Called it rare.  Don't be so quick to blame the crew everytime.  Alot of kids are horrible in public.  Just look around, they are easy to spot.

Thank you for all the input. My children have been raised to always act in a polite, thoughtful manner in public and in  private so I am sure that we will be fine:)

 I am so glad to hear that the post on facebook is not the concensus:)

Good news!

I may still bring some drinks for the room as well!

Here's another perspective.  Is it rude, or does it just look rude because the bartender comes from another culture?  We sometimes get this complaint where I work (I have a truly multicultural workplace).  I have observed my employees, often when they had no idea I was paying attention (or even around).  I have gotten complaints about particular employees being rude who would bend over backward to be helpful to anyone who needed help.  When I get complaints like that, I always talk to the employee to find out their side of the story as well.  But I always question whether the person doing the complaining did something that might provoke a problem.

Kids are notorious for saying or doing terrible things to adults, particularly those in a servant status (like a fast food counter or a snow cone stand) when their parents aren't around.  They're pretty sure the adult can't say or do anything about it and when they do, well...that makes them rude. I've spent many years observing this from both sides of the counter - as an employee, as a supervisor, and as a customer watching other people's children do this.  The natural inclination is to believe what your own child tells you.  But really...no child ever lies about things to their parents?  It pays to get the other side of the story before assuming what you've been told is the gospel truth.  I'm not saying dismiss it.  Some of my own employees really have been rude to people and I deal with that when it happens.  But get the whole story.

sibelius:

Kids are notorious for saying or doing terrible things to adults, particularly those in a servant status (like a fast food counter or a snow cone stand) when their parents aren't around.  They're pretty sure the adult can't say or do anything about it and when they do, well...that makes them rude.

 Yea, my kid went thru that "stage" back when I first started to allow him to place his own orders at restaurants.  I guess kids like the felling of power when they can demand/order adults to do something. 

It took a few strong reminders from me, to get my kid to realize that I expected him to say "Could you please get me a soda... thanks" instead of "GET ME A SODA, NOW!". 

I would like to make the point that my child was not being "rude" when he was speaking with that bartender just "obsesvent" and the bartender was kool and respected him for his observation, they became buddies!! Just wanted you to know he is a good boy.

Sylvia Cecil:

I would like to make the point that my child was not being "rude" when he was speaking with that bartender just "obsesvent" and the bartender was kool and respected him for his observation, they became buddies!! Just wanted you to know he is a good boy.