"Teenagers are bad employees"

[Alysser]

Sorry for starting so many threads lately, but I was just curious on what you thought of this.

Apparently, a guest complained to my supervisor(who is 17 himself) that teenagers aren't capable of what Six Flags thinks they are. She said they can't handle money properly, so why are all the games, merchandise, food service cashiers teenagers? Why should you trust them when you know they steal money? Yeah, like we wouldn't get caught doing that. Why would I feel the need to steal someone's money, when I make my own? I wouldn't want something like THAT on my job record till I retire! She said something about the rides and attraction people who control the ride shouldn't be 14-15 year olds, and she doesn't trust them with her life. First of all to control a ride, you MUST be at least 16 years old. These people go to training. Each ride has a supervisor or a team of supervisors. The newer rides even have computers that tell you if a seat is not locked and won't start the ride till the seat is checked and verified on the computer.

I was pretty mad when I heard this. I mean, I know not all people think like this but I'm sure many people do. She said until she sees more adults on the team she isn't coming back..ok well the night shift people are basically all adults. Sorry it just makes me mad that people think teens are horrible and will steal money and intentionally not lock a ride before it goes out of the station.

[Daisy and Delilah]

WOW!! I'm sorry to hear this, Alyssa. Talk about stereotyping. I would have been upset too if I were you. Just remember, she had a bad experience somewhere and she's unfairly grouping all teens into that persona. She obviously doesn't know you very well. I've got a newsflash for her too: All adults aren't perfect. We can hardly blame everything on teens can we?

Six Flags has been in business for years. They obviously know what they're doing to be so successful. I really don't believe that they would hire people and recklessly place them in critical areas. That woman needs to chill.

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

[moosmom]

Alyssa,

That is so not fair to stereotype "teenagers" as bad employees. Yes, there are some kids that would rather call out of work and go to the beach. Believe me, BB&B has their share. But we also have alot of hard working kids that are great to work with, have a positive attitude and are fun to work with.

BB&B does hire just anybody. We've got a great group of teenagers that I am very honored to work with.

[RockyRoad]

Wow, that is really an irritating stereotype. I know your frustration because I`m 18 and have worked at 6 different places that are not the typical "teenage" jobs, and have gotten attitudes like that. I consider my jobs almost my top priority, and I would never, ever even dream of stealing from either of them. In fact, I am more mature and professional than some women at both of my jobs! It`s terrible that because some teenagers these days tend to be very careless and sometimes do steal or do other things, that it can sometimes be trouble for those of us who have enough sense not to steal or create trouble at our jobs. Just like there are some people that do fit every stereotype! And there are so many out there that the good overwhelms the bad, just like any stereotype. Sure, I`ve seen some kids in high school brag about getting fired from a job for selling liquor to friends or stealing from the register. However, I have seen or heard of almost an equal amount of stories regarding people who are not teenagers doing exactly the same thing. Not only is it stupid, but it`s a violation of the law, not a special award they should feel dignified for. Anyone can steal or cause trouble at a job, regardless of age, status, whatever. It`s not right for people like that woman to assume that all teenagers steal, don`t know what they`re doing, or are generally irresponsible.

Plus, that is very sad and shows what kind of character she is that she would stand around complaining for no reason at a theme park! To me this woman sounds quite negative!

That is really weird that she would say that only 14/15 year old`s control the rides. I`ve been there and I haven`t seen anyone that young working a ride. And, if they were, I would assume that the ride operators have had some sort of training, like you said they do. It`s not like they just take random teenagers off the street and say, "hey, do you wanna stand here and press a button for a few hours?" It`s Six Flags, not some traveling carnival with rides held together with, like, bubble gum, lol. It`s common sense that they take the time to make sure their workers are trained to handle situations and operate the rides.

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

Wow, harsh.

I worked at a grocery store, and a grocery store is the first place kids think of when getting their first job... it was almost all kids 16 and over, and we got the same crap... granted, some of them really did have problems dealing with money and making change, but its not fair to stick us all in one group.

[Suki Wingy]

Have you listened to the My Chemical Romance song Teenagers?

I don't know, I mean, I've had a woman threaten to call in and complain to my superviser about the "rude tone" I was using when I asked her for the third time to please leave because we closed 15 minutes ago. Too bad I don't even know who my superviser is.

[carole]

All i can say is how ridiculous, there are good and bad employees of every age group, my daughter is a teenager employee and she works her butt off, she is responsible and does the job well, not fair at all.

[Miss Z]

It's horrible how one or two bad representatives of teenagers can make people think we're all irresponsible. People need to realise that there is no miraculous transformation from a teenager that is simple and grouchy as they turn 18 - adults can be incapable of doing their jobs properly too.

Sometimes I have customers talk down to me at the shelter. It does bother me a lot, but I don't let it get to me, I just answer whatever queries they have and that is it. When someone shows me respect, however, I'll go out of my way to help them. I appreciate people who appreciate me. I definitely can understand why that guest made you mad!

I think when some people start showing teens a litle more respect they'll start getting some back.

[Daisy and Delilah]

It's horrible how one or two bad representatives of teenagers can make people think we're all irresponsible. People need to realise that there is no miraculous transformation from a teenager that is simple and grouchy as they turn 18 - adults can be incapable of doing their jobs properly too.

Sometimes I have customers talk down to me at the shelter. It does bother me a lot, but I don't let it get to me, I just answer whatever queries they have and that is it. When someone shows me respect, however, I'll go out of my way to help them. I appreciate people who appreciate me. I definitely can understand why that guest made you mad!

I think when some people start showing teens a litle more respect they'll start getting some back.

You're so right, Zara. The way some people treat young people is despicable. Perhaps they would get better treatment if they sent some out. I always treated my children with respect. I get that back every day from them. It's a good lesson to be learned.

It's too bad the lady at Six Flags can't personally meet some of our teens at Pet Talk. Her opinions would really change.

[Karen]

There's always someone with a complaint, isn't there? Who knows how bad SHE was as a teenager, or what happened to her to make her think teens are irresponsible, but it's her loss, not being able to enjoy the park! Don't let it bug you!

[K9soul]

Unfortunately, people in customer service jobs in general get some of the worst treatment by others, and it doesn't help if you are younger and you get an adult who feels they don't have to treat you as another human being because you are younger. There ARE kids with a lack of responsibility and ethics, I think some of that is upbringing, but they often go on to be ADULTS without a good work ethic too.

Customer service jobs in general though, even adults working in them, take a lot of verbal abuse. It is really why I couldn't wait to get out of customer service when I was younger. Unfortunately that is mostly what is available for kids needing a summer or part time job, so often their first work experiences are very stressful and unpleasant. It takes time to learn how to do things that other people have been doing for years, such as instantly know how much change is due back from a large bill. And then people often automatically assume the worst if a mistake is made, that the employee is doing it on purpose.

Unpleasant as it is, you can take the experience and always remember as you go through life and deal with other customer service people. You can smile and treat them as a person, and be patient with errors and not assume the worst, when you know what it's like on the other end. You can really make a difference in a harried person's day when you treat them with compassion and understanding instead of blowing up when a delay or mistake happens. You can turn the bad into something good later on. Just continue to take the higher road than people who have to behave with such rudeness and hurtfulness.

[Bengalz]

Unfortunately, people in customer service jobs in general get some of the worst treatment by others, and it doesn't help if you are younger and you get an adult who feels they don't have to treat you as another human being because you are younger. There ARE kids with a lack of responsibility and ethics, I think some of that is upbringing, but they often go on to be ADULTS without a good work ethic too.

Customer service jobs in general though, even adults working in them, take a lot of verbal abuse. It is really why I couldn't wait to get out of customer service when I was younger. Unfortunately that is mostly what is available for kids needing a summer or part time job, so often their first work experiences are very stressful and unpleasant. It takes time to learn how to do things that other people have been doing for years, such as instantly know how much change is due back from a large bill. And then people often automatically assume the worst if a mistake is made, that the employee is doing it on purpose.

Unpleasant as it is, you can take the experience and always remember as you go through life and deal with other customer service people. You can smile and treat them as a person, and be patient with errors and not assume the worst, when you know what it's like on the other end. You can really make a difference in a harried person's day when you treat them with compassion and understanding instead of blowing up when a delay or mistake happens. You can turn the bad into something good later on. Just continue to take the higher road than people who have to behave with such rudeness and hurtfulness.

Well said and very true! Don't let a bad experience spoil your personal ethic; take it as a lesson learned and reflect the person you want to be. You and others will benefit and therein lies the best value.

[Giselle]

You can turn the bad into something good later on. Just continue to take the higher road than people who have to behave with such rudeness and hurtfulness.

Exactly. Everyone, absolutely EVERYONE, deserves our respect. If they are complaining to me, if they give me snide comments, if they are making rude gestures, if they're passing rumors about me, I will not further the negativity. I will take it, understand where they are coming from, and use the adversity as an exercise of willpower and compassion.

I know exactly what you mean, Alyssa. I'm 16 and was the zoo camp intern this summer. Every day, I met parents who were rushed, upset, and frustrated by one thing or another trivial thing. Although their negativity could have easily frustrated me, I would not allow it and I responded back with a smile and calm composure. Every time I was met with adversity, I tried to understand their side and responded back with positive compromise.

...Do you know, that by the end of the summer, most of the staff that I worked with didn't even know my age anymore? They all thought I was 18+ (they thought I was a college student). In fact, I was even offered a job to teach the zoo camp, an opportunity formally available only to college graduates.

Dealing with humans is the same with dealing with dogs: Exude calm confidence, leadership, and never lose your temper. In a matter of weeks, everybody will gauge you by your mental maturity, and not your physical years.

[DJFyrewolf36]

Dealing with humans is the same with dealing with dogs: Exude calm confidence, leadership, and never lose your temper. In a matter of weeks, everybody will gauge you by your mental maturity, and not your physical years.

I wholeheartedly agree. I work in a job where its illigal to be under 18 (security) but if you look under 30 some people assume they can walk all over you . In security, the absolute LAST thing you want to do is loose your temper, as it makes peoples already negitive perception of the job that much worse.

[Alysser]

I know what you mean DJ, some of my friends are security guards for the park and my brother was also one for Six Flags. He says they take alot of crap. I can only imagine how much crap guest relations has to take, OMG, I'd probably be fired my first day! I have NEVER once lost my temper this entire season with a guest, because I don't want them to complain to guest relations or whatever and think SF doesn't care about their guests, but these people can be SO rude. It sometimes makes me not want to work there anymore. I like my job, I'm pretty good at it, got offered to be promoted but declined it, etc. but I can't stand the rudeness some people have. I not going to quit, but it makes the job so much more stressful then it has to be, when people are unessicarily rude because I'm younger then them.

I'm not going into games next year, it's not for me really. It's not that I don't like it, it's just not really my thing. I don't really like handling money and being faced with the public so often. I want to go into entertainment and be an escort for the characters that walk around in the huge costumes because people think it's funny to attack them. Or be a greeter for a show. My sister is in entertainment and she wants me to work with her. I know alot of people there anyway, so yeah. I WILL have to work with the public but not as much as I do now.