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red
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 6176
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 3, 2006 - 8:34 pm: | 
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We went to the pool tonight with the family at 6:00. Around 7:00 we decide to have dinner in the snack area. Along with a few friends we sit at a couple of tables. The staff starts cleaning around us. I understand they want to get out of work, but this was ridiculous.
This girl starts sweeping under the table, around the kids. That was irritating, but I could handle that. A few minutes later she comes over with AJAX bleach sets it on the table and starts sprinkling it onto the ground. My GF and I went over and said what do you think you are doing? The kids are still eating! I handed the bleach to her and she gave us this look like we were the rude ones.
Vent over... |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 684
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 3, 2006 - 9:48 pm: |
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And it's only the beginning of the season!
Those poor overworked kids! (LOL) |
red
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 6178
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 3, 2006 - 11:15 pm: |
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Don't get me wrong, I have been there, so I am very empathetic. Just livid because they take it to far. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 12017
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 6:12 am: |
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What time does the pool close? 7:00 pm?
It isn't like you are dining at a fine NY restaurant. The kids, and I will guarantee this, aren't going to get paid if you keep them late.
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red
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 6179
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 7:41 am: |
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Bob the pool closes at 8:00 p.m. I really hope you are joking. You think it is okay that they are putting a can of AJAX bleach on the table next to the kids (ranging 2-9) and putting it on the ground underneath them???? |
Ceidefields
Citizen
Username: Ceidefields
Post Number: 42
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 8:05 am: |
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The staff doesn't seem to understand "appropriate" - couldn't they have waited until you were done to clean that spot?
The other day one of the staff cleaning the dining area broke a nail (a tragedy I know) and let out a VERY loud string of curses that would make a sailor blush. The place was crowded with young kids. I felt like running over and putting my hands over their ears! |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 12019
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 8:48 am: |
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Red, the bleach was overboard. But, what time was it? After closing?
I have had the staff in restaurants after spending well over $200 for dinner rush us out.
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red
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 6180
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 10:33 am: |
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No the pool wasn't due to close for another 1/2 hour. The cleaning around the kids was annoying and rude, there were plenty of other tables that needed to be cleaned. It was over the top when she pulled out the bleach. |
Oregon gal
Citizen
Username: Oregon_gal
Post Number: 34
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 7:50 pm: |
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On a positive note, I had my first experience with the MW pool last week and it was really pleasant. We are members of the Summit pool since we're moving mid-July, and I was struck by a few key differences.
1. The MW pool clearly felt like a "community." People of all walks of life were there and coexisting happily.
2. The bathroom was very clean.
3. The food choices were superior for pool fare.
4. Although I wouldn't say it was the model of efficiency (my pretzel got lost in the shuffle) the girl at the counter was very nice and apologetic. "Surly" doesn't even begin to describe the attitudes of the concessions staff at the Summit pool.
Even though it may not have some of the bells & whistles of the Summit pool, I am very excited to be a member next summer and visit more as a guest this summer. |
crabby
Citizen
Username: Crabbyappleton
Post Number: 723
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 9:17 pm: |
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take your issues to the managers, Maggie Singler and Eddie LaPierre. |
JazzMe
Citizen
Username: Jazzme
Post Number: 218
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 8:53 am: |
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What Crabby said.
(these are HS kids folks, if they screw up they need to be told better by the managers) |
Billy Jack
Citizen
Username: Kendalbill
Post Number: 184
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 9:15 am: |
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For what its worth, I think the pool has been steadily improving over the last few years. The place seems better run and the snack bar is terrific.
I agree with you, Red, that the push to get out quickly is annoying. I would say something to the manager. Seems reasonable. |
Pamela
Citizen
Username: Pamela
Post Number: 41
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 1:39 pm: |
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We've tried to call the rec department recently to join but no one gets back to us. The pool says we need to go through them. How do we join? |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 5814
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 1:43 pm: |
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Pamela,
You can stop in during office hours (900-430PM Monday to Friday; Saturdays 9AM to noon). Bring proof of residency like an electric bill. Or try calling them until you get someone on the phone...without making excuses for them, the answering machine may not be the most reliable, but if you get someone on the line (I spoke with someone earlier), they will help you. You may have just run in to some department vacation time..the staff there is generally helpful on matters such as this.
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Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6675
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 2:01 pm: |
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Red, just to play Devil's advocate here...they are high school kids. They don't know better and it should be pointed out to them but to say to them
Quote:My GF and I went over and said what do you think you are doing? The kids are still eating! I handed the bleach to her and she gave us this look like we were the rude ones.
Well frankly, given the language and attitude behind it I might have given you a dirty look too. Cause the kids that work in there don't see through parental eyes (one hopes) and so didn't make the connection. I realize it was an annoying experience but to sort of get in their face just makes the kids care even less about the job.
Perhaps you could have been a little calmer about it and said "Hey, I know you want to get out of here, but could you keep the poisonous chemicals away from our kids, now that guy over there....spray him up good" or something a little less caustic. I am a parent and so I know how sometimes I respond too quickly and immediately regret what I have said, but I have also worked some of the most demeaning jobs in my life (Hey I'm an actor) so I empathize with the kids who work these minimum wage gigs.
I am not saying in anyway that your protest was not grounded in the truth, just that perhaps there was a softer, less hard edged, way of dealing with it.
I don't know. I wasn't there. It is just my devil's advocacy coming through.
From what i understand of the pool it is over-regulated and not the most pleasant place to hang out, but that it is improving. So, given time, perhaps this sort of episode won't happen again. And everyone above me is right. A simple talk with the manager about the incident will likely ensure it doesn't happen again. To you or to anybody.
Devils advocacy over. Glad everyone is alright, that is the bottom line. |
juju's petals
Citizen
Username: Jujus_petals
Post Number: 284
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 3:14 pm: |
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I know we're a bunch of gripers here, but I just want to say that we really like the Maplewood pool. It is attractive, clean, and functional. It exhausts our small children, has good variety of ice cream bars, and the fries are ready quickly. It more than meets my basic expectations. Through the eyes of my children, it is fantastic.
Although I'm sure competent and professional adults really do run the facility, it does sometimes seem that only the high school students are in charge (lifeguards, swimming instructors, snack bar, etc). But, really, that's okay. |
red
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 6211
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 3:33 pm: |
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Don't get me wrong I love the pool as do my kids.
Duncan I couldn't disagree with you more. I think it is common sense you don't put poison next to a two year old eating pizza. I didn't say a thing to her while she was sweeping around the children and disturbing the dinner. But if she put's poison next to my kids, sorry attitude deserved. |
Joe R.
Citizen
Username: Ragnatela
Post Number: 490
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 5:33 pm: |
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Ajax is poison?....Now you tell me. That explains everything. Next time I go over there I'm telling the staff, "Please, as a personal favor to me, would you please not clean my table with poison?"
By the way, I heard it was 7:55 when they started cleaning up. Kidding. I'm guessing you were the only one left there eating otherwise you would have moved to a table where the poison had already been applied! |
red
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 6216
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 7:03 pm: |
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No, there are about eight tables at the pool maybe more. About half of them were filled. There were plenty of tables that were empty they could be cleaning. The staff takes the AJAX sprinkles it on the ground puts water on and mops. The staff person set the can of AJAX on the table, next to our pizza and a two year old. |
red
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 6234
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 9:57 pm: |
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I have to say I am surprised that people are defending this staff person's actions. I have worked many jobs like this, wanting to get out. Never would I put someone's child in danger, or would I be rude, because I wanted to get out of work. This is all part of a work ethic that seems to be lacking in many these days. (wow I feel old saying that) We weren't eating late. We were eating a half an hour before the pool closed, along with several other families. |
Billy Jack
Citizen
Username: Kendalbill
Post Number: 186
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 8:39 am: |
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Don't get me wrong, red, I don't think the actions of the undertrained unthinking pool worker are defensable- it's just that they don't hit felony status.
When I go to the pool, I am seeking a mellow vibe. The kids are happy, Maplewood is smiling and splashing and life is good. I am sure that in my 14 years of pool going, the staff at the pool has done something stupid in front of me, but it drips away. When I have had a problem in the past, I simply raised the issue to the management. It has always been taken seriously.
You bring up a good point, red, and I don't think you deserve criticism for your opinion. I just don't think it is a big deal. As you said, vent over. |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1948
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 9:07 am: |
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Red - I think it's perfectly understandable that you got upset that someone was spreading AJAX around your kids, let alone, while they were eating. You acted upset because you were upset. I don't think it was out of line at all. The kid(s) you corrected will not make that mistake again and that's a good thing, and I'm sure they're no worse the wear for it. |
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