Search This Blog


  •  

Our Guest Blogger

  • Jane Allerton is an innovative marketing professional with global experiences in the pharmaceutical, engineered materials and IT industries. In her work, she has been able to combine her technical strengths with human form factor and ergonomic studies. Jane earned her dual BA in Chemistry and German from Rutgers as well as her MBA after an expatriate assignment in Germany. She has also worked in Paris.

Monster Blogroll

Del.icio.us Links

Join the People List

Get this Blog

About Comments

  • Comments are moderated; they should appear on the Monster Blog within one business day.

Disclaimer

  • Although the Monster Blog contains several individual voices, it is still part of Monster, and use of the blog is governed by Monster's Terms of Use. By viewing and/or contributing articles or comments to the Monster Blog, you agree to Monster's Terms of Use.

Feedback

Legal Stuff

« Get Along or Get Out: Nardelli's Golden Boot | Main | The Office Pool »

January 09, 2007

Tigger in Trouble -- A Lesson in Managing Anger on the Job

It’s never a good idea to lose your cool while on the job. Especially if you’re orange and working at the happiest place on Earth.


By now, you’ve likely heard the story and seen the video repeatedly on the news: A New Hampshire family was on vacation at Disney World. The kids pose for a picture with Tigger, and then Tigger clocks the 14-year-old standing next to him. The teen and his family, who are now considering suing, say they have no idea why Tigger would have done such a thing, and the man in the Tigger costume says -- through his union -- that he was the victim. He is currently suspended from work.


Even in real life, we can all learn a lesson from Winnie the Pooh’s friend. Whether provoked or not, you need to keep your cool in heated situations at work, especially if you’re dealing with the public. Who hasn’t worked in retail or food-service more than 10 minutes without encountering some awful customer anyone would love to bop on the nose? I’ve worked in both, and sometimes customers treat you really badly. But you’ve got to stay composed and hope that karma gets the jerks in the end.


These articles offer advice for controlling anger on the job:

Share this post: Digg, StumbleUpon, del.icio.us, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Bookmark and Share

Posted by Norma on January 9, 2007 at 10:16 AM in Current Events | Permalink | Comments (31) | TrackBack (1)

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d834515e7c69e200d8345558a069e2

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Tigger in Trouble -- A Lesson in Managing Anger on the Job:

» Bully Truck from Bully Truck
Bully 2.2 Truck Wheels RPM Bully wheels for 1/10th sca [Read More]

Tracked on Jan 30, 2007 3:56:52 AM

Comments

So if you are in a large, heavy costume with both your vision and your movement restricted, and a young punk grabs you behind your neck, choking you from behind, how do you handle it? Is it anger or self defense? If you watch the video, the boy is clearly doing something behind Tigger's back. The alleged "punch" looks fairly mild, looks more like Tigger is trying to whack his arm away, but I would imagine it's incredibly hard to see what you are doing with that huge costume on. If this boy need to go to the hospital after a brush with a padded, furry paw, he may have more serious issues than scuffles with Disney characters. The real question here is how will a 13 year old boy survive his teen years being teased constantly about how he was beat up by a cartoon character? Oh well...Dad got his 15 minutes (and then some!) of fame so all is well I guess...

Posted by: TiggerFan | Jan 9, 2007 1:58:28 PM

Because our legal system is being tied up with frivilous lawsuits like this, real criminals are going free. The 14-year should have been spanked for misbehaving. Instead, his parents are teaching their son to take the victim role and not be responsible for his actions. He will not get very far in life with this type of thinking.

Posted by: Marian | Jan 17, 2007 8:15:19 AM

I rarely post on these things but this has me up in arms. Yet another example of parents not taking responsiblity for their kid's actions. The teen was clearly not acting right and "Tigger" had to defend himself. If my kid was acting like an idiot I would hope someone would clue me in and I would yank a knot in them. But my kids know better because I have taught them to be responsible for their actions and made sure they know right from wrong. If they slip up, I correct them-not turn it into a media frenzy where I try to sue a huge company because they have the money. Boo to the parents and Boo to society for letting this continue to get worse. Get a clue!

Posted by: Momof3 | Jan 17, 2007 8:30:13 AM

As having worked before as a character at the "happiest place on earth," you would never want to hurt anyone. AS the reader before posted, the kid was clearly doing something to Tigger. Tigger appears to be trying to get his arm out from behind the boy and the boy is not allowing Tigger proper movement. So, it looks to me as Tigger is twisting his body and using his opposite hand to release the boy's grip, and the boy accidentally was hit in the face. I don't believe that it was intentional or malicious or done in anger on Tigger's part, but an unfortunate action based on reaction to that boy's pranks.

Posted by: T1ggrrr | Jan 17, 2007 9:47:15 AM

This also another blow because rules will change to protect them self. So no one will be able to get close to the characters which is a great reason we all go their. You already have a body guard for most of the charactors already. How sad for the kids. Your right about what the vidio show the boy going something.

Posted by: debbie rogers | Jan 17, 2007 12:40:28 PM

The responses seem right on to me, except the one that started it. If I recall correctly, ABC is owned or part of Disney. I think it was NBC or CBS that started the interview on their morning news. Yes, I had the same thoughts as above. I am glad I am not the only one that thinks the whole thing is stupid. The interview and the kid rubbing his right ear, the interviewer asking if his head hurt or something like that. The dad is milking this for all he can get it seems.

Posted by: Randall | Jan 17, 2007 1:08:52 PM

Looks like the vox pop is strongly on tiger's side. The kid is an a**hole, as are the parents and any lawyer who would take this case.

Posted by: fixedgear | Jan 17, 2007 1:52:06 PM

As I watched the news report, for the 100th time, I cannot see that the Tigger really belted the kid!!! I looks, to me, that the kid pulled the back of the Tiggers mask and the, so called, slug was an automatic reaction to not being able to see! These people need to watch the video closer.

Posted by: CHUCK | Jan 17, 2007 2:09:12 PM

To whom it may concern,

As anyone can plainly see the young boy is doing something to Tigger. Why is that some people are putting blame on Tigger, when it is clear that the young boy is doing something to the tigger. People wonder why are prison are full it is because of people who think Tigger done something wrong. The parents should have discpline the kid and then had the kid appologize to Tigger, but no they want to blame Tigger. Maybe if the parents would go to chruch and teach their kids repect this wouldn't have happened.

Posted by: Tidoubleggrrr | Jan 17, 2007 3:55:07 PM

While the message is a good one, Tigger isn't the right example. I saw the video. Tigger was surprised in some way. Either he didn't know the kid was there when he turned, or the kid was doing something to Tigger and he instinctually tried to stop him. In no way did Tigger punch the kid (there was no deliberate aiming or jabbing movements). If I went to school with that kid I'd make fun of him for being beaten up by a padded cartoon character. But of course, it won't matter to him because Disney is probably going to pay for his college. Such low-grade behavior on both his part and his dad's.

Posted by: T | Jan 17, 2007 4:34:39 PM

Tigger should be pressing charges against the boys parents. They need to be aware that they are ultimately responsible for his actions until he turns of age. I'm sure this wont be the only incident involving this boy.

Posted by: valderm | Jan 17, 2007 4:43:05 PM

i think the issue with the kid is a truck load of hog wash!!! for one, i don't think anyone in his/her right mind would hit the kid if the kid wasn't doing anything in question. secondly where did all the "responsible" parents go? i mean here in the philippines we try to educate kids right from wrong yet a lot say "right to this" "right to that"... the bottom line is when do we have to say it's our duty not right? it's really shameful we try to "praise" spoiled kids than praise an employee who did what was right.

Posted by: nick_24riii | Jan 17, 2007 6:17:34 PM

We have been dealing with this issue where I work. I work with a Home Health Care Agency and we recently had a disgruntled employee yelling and cursing at our receptionist. A few tips were given to her and to us at our meeting last week. 1. Do not deal with and angry employee or customer alone, call a manager to assist with the situation. 2. Do not remain sitting, stand up so as not to appear to be intimidated by the offender. 3. Remain calm and sympathize with the disgruntled person, it may calm them down. 4. If it gets out of hand calmly ask the person to leave. 5. Call 911, or quietly call another employee with a secret code to call 911. No doubt many of us will encounter unhappy people, we our selves may be unhappy too but we can counter this by being pleasant and understanding. Always remember in business the customer is always right

Posted by: Trinna | Jan 17, 2007 6:37:42 PM

The parents of this child should grow up and learn to be the parent and let the child take the consequence of his actions. The child should not have been trying to unmask Tigger as a lame joke. It seems to me that the child is trying to place his hand inside the neck of the costume. I think the parents should pay for the time missed by the employee who was only trying to do his/her job because of this useless allegation. The other children pictured obviously did not have an issue with the charater until "bubba" showed up. What is the past history of this child? Maybe we should hear the rest of the story concerning this child and other possible issues he has had at school or at home concerning poor or lack of decent behavior? How about the "parents" who are trying to make a company pay for their lack of parenting skills while trying to buy "quality" time with their children at a theme park instead of spending time with them on a daily basis so they could learn what is normal acceptable behavior in a public setting. Maybe the company should sue them instead.

Posted by: Tiggerrules | Jan 17, 2007 8:44:58 PM

I think that the father should be ashamed and embarassed. It is clearly obvious that his son was laughing while pulling on something behind Tigger's costume to cause him to get thrown off balance. It appears that Tigger made a hand gesture quickly after he lost his balance to appear as if he was sorry. As a result, the father is suing for a "pain in the neck" as reported by the alleged victim. Those characters get kicked, punched, yanked, etc. constantly and should be protected by their employer, not suspended.

Posted by: Chris | Jan 17, 2007 11:33:00 PM

i agree with all of your comments and its true kids these could days are getting away with anything even if the bad guy is innocent! i myself am a firm believer in taking what i deserve even if i did do it. I think paerents should start teaching there kids to accept the cosequences for what theyve done wrong.

Posted by: Forrest | Jan 18, 2007 3:45:21 AM

In a world that teaches us that someone else is always responsible for our actions, this is just another sick example. You only have to turn on your TV and watch Dr Phil, Oprah, Jerry or any other number of talk shows that parade people in who complain of being victims. Their only problem being a lack of conviction in standing up and facing the problems that they themselves have created. This is just one more example of parents coddling their children and teaching them that if you can take advantage of someone with deep pockets, then by all means go ahead and get your share while you can. This may not be on the same level, but think back to the family who sued the Los Angeles Police after their bank robber husband/father/brother shot up the downtown area and terrorized innocent people with automatic weapons for over 30 minutes. While the police practiced good procedure by making sure no one else was part of the rampage, the man died and the family sued. Lets be realistic- just like this "innocent" kid, if you had not been doing something wrong in the first place, most likely the "victim" would not be in the position they are in now. But, mom and dad know that Disney has deep pockets, they will settle out of court for a hefty sum, and the American way of raising the majority of our children will survive to see another lawsuit.

Posted by: Larry Sharon | Jan 18, 2007 9:21:16 AM

This is what is wrong with the world. So many people have no integrity, honor, responsibility, etc. This kid, was very clearly creating some kind of havoc for tigger. Tigger should have decked him, but I guess Tigger actually had some integrity. I loathe to see this crap clogging court systems, Like Marian said, real crimes are not getting proper care because we have to deal with greed consumed, people who have no care, but for themselves. How is this hurting the guy they are using to extort money from Disney? I don't imagine he is enjoying, suspension, especially if he is not getting paid, not to mention 'office politics' and having his name plastered on the news. So, this is the lesson, next time some brat cuts off your oxygen flow, just hang tight till you pass out and hope someone helps you while unconscious, flailing might cause the parents to find a way to misconstrue your actions so they can make a profit. how disgusting, Judges should fine this family for wasting their time, then split it amongst the court, and Tigger, the actual victim. Its bad enough these parents are not decent enough to teach their kids not to be little punks (note: I do not refer to his dress, as I was not a sensible dresser at his age either), but also reinforce a lack of personal responsibility by carrying on this scandal. So of course, Disney forks up some money, whether it be settlement, fines, or just court/ representation costs, the ticket price goes up, Disney has that much less money to donate to charitable cause and a whole bunch of people suffer, because. . . some people forget this is a sun centered solar system, not me centered. I wish these criminals who are costing us all money (whether by taxes from court or higher admission at disney) lots of fines, and bad publicity!

Posted by: zatizala | Jan 18, 2007 11:12:04 AM

I completely agree with TiggerFan. It is quite obvious that the boy had his hand behind Tigger and had to have been doing something with that hand for Tigger to have tried to get the boys arm out from behind him. You can hear the father repeatly saying the boys name. I think he knew the boy was doing something behind Tigger's back. Saying that the boy was "clocked" by Tigger is a gross exageration. He barely brushed his face with his soft furry paw. And it was clearly self defense but Tigger still managed to stay in character after he was able to extract the boys hand from behind him. It can be incredibly hot and uncomfortable in those costumes...I have a nephew who was Pluto at Disney World for over a year. These "characters" are underpaid and overworked to say the least. I think the boys' parents should be ashamed of themselves for teaching their son to act the part of a victim when he was clearly at fault. If anything "Tigger" should sue that family for allowing their son to assault a beloved cartoon character!

Posted by: Helen | Jan 18, 2007 11:13:07 AM

From what I read I've determined that the kid was at fault and is old enough to know better. True, the prents should have had the upper hand in this one. The costumed character is most likely a college/high school kid earning some extra bucks for school and why would he jepordize his job to pick on a customer? As a result from his clowning he got socked in the face by accident.

Posted by: sue | Jan 18, 2007 11:27:57 AM

I agree with several of the people that have posted,with regards of the "Aledged Tigger Attack"Though
i did not see the footage,It appears to me that the Parents need to teach self control to their teenage son.
I have worked in the Reatail/Grocery/Factory/Bussiness and it is taught to keep your hands to a safe distance from others.If someone came up behind me and yanked me like that,(A)I would feel that it is a unwelcomed action
on the part of attacker.(B)I would have done the very same thing,As to free myself.Unfortunatly thats how most things happen,For example:You are driving on the highway someone passes you when approaching another vehicle in the other lane is coming.What is most peoples reaction?That's the same thing."It's called F.A.R.;First Action Response.Have you ever thought while driving"Man i wish there was a Cop around to catch this Idiot driver"It seems like there isn't one around 100 miles,But as soon as you do the same exacted thing,Guess what?You will get nailed by the Cop(s)
Good luck TIGGER Man.

Posted by: kissfan35 | Jan 18, 2007 12:31:21 PM

I don't think anyone realizes how hard it is to work in a large suit. It could have been an accident. Maybe his arm got twisted in the costume. It seems strange he would want to hurt anyone unless he was supposed to get a tip and sometimes people get violent about that.

Posted by: Regina | Jan 18, 2007 1:42:54 PM

i saw the video and it looks as if the 14 year old was trying to mess with tigger's costume. since his father has it on video what his son is doing then he should get on to his son instead of trying to bilk disney out of money. but then again it could have been planned between father and son. who knows.

Posted by: melody | Jan 18, 2007 3:04:57 PM

I do think this is most likely a frivolous complaint...the sad part is people that are involved in real violence or intimidation in work environements will not file complaints because of the bad rep this case is getting. I think work place violence is becoming a major problem. Most employees are so surprised by the violent actions that their immediate response is not the most effective. As a career person myself, I never expected violence in the workplace until it happened to me. In retrospect, I should have called the Local police immediately, but I was too shocked and frightened to do anything.

Posted by: Cindy | Jan 18, 2007 9:35:44 PM

I think the majority of America has sided with Tigger on this one. I too think the kid was messing around, and Tigger's reaction was to get the kid off of him. The media however, usually paints such a dramatic picture, because it would make an interesting story. Of course the so-called lower class employee getting reprimanded for attacking an "innocent" kid is more acceptable to media sharks than some disrespctful kid harassing an employee (which happens more often than reported). All I can do is shake my head in disgust.

Posted by: bnikki | Jan 19, 2007 3:28:08 PM

Post a comment