Is there some all-inclusive social etiquette I seem to have missed?

[packingcubes]

Just curious really…

I’ve just got back from holiday and all the reviews and Facebook groups absolutely RAVE about the animation team- how friendly they are, how inclusive they are and how they chat with everyone, they are the second family etc.

Meanwhile, I got asked once if I wanted to do aqua aerobics and once if I wanted to buy a kids T-shirt… and that was it. I kept seeing them sitting and chatting with other guests very regularly, hugging there children etc so I started wondering if there’s some kind of secret all inclusive social code that I completely missed. Even my kids were pretty much ignored (although they couldn’t care less or even notice)

I’m genuinely not annoyed, just a bit baffled because I’m friendly and chatty and was by myself too with the children… yet I somehow seemed to be invisible.

It did have me wondering whether there’s some kind of all-inclusive etiquette I’ve somehow missed… or whether I just really am the least interesting person on the resort

I think that A) quite a lot of reviews are written by staff, they are sometimes really blatant (or guests get a free drink etc for mentioning someone's name), it is absolutely unfathomable to me that anyone writes a review going "Tommy in the animation team was so amazing, he made my holiday, we had an incredible time due to Tommy the best ever"
B) the teams are normally worked really hard, so if the kids do kids activities, and you stay up to do evening activities, and activities around the pool - it'll always be the same team members and they'll probably know you on sight and by name.
C) to be fair, sometimes they're quite intuitive and maybe they picked up that you and your kids were happy together and didn't want any fuss from strangers

yeah that sounds beyond creepy

That’s a good question and I’ve wondered this, I’m often picked for stuff, given extra time in my hobby class from
the instructor , the excursion guide will make a fuss, such as save the shady area for me, talk to me more and so on. I have no idea why.
It would be interesting to study this.

You’ve handled this better than I would. There’s always women on here implying you’re being ridiculous and hysterical when you’re asking (on a forum designed for asking things) in a light hearted, relaxed way! It drives me mad! It feels misogynistic almost, like a woman can’t ask a question without being ridiculed and accused of being emotional.

To answer your question, I think they can tell the families that are looking to get close to the staff. For what it’s worth, I find it a bit weird when adults want to make such close friends with people being paid to be nice to them but hey ho.

Oh god I find them over the top. I only went AI once and spent it hiding from the very perky animation team.

It depends how much you join in!
My husband does every activity so they all chat to him.
I sit reading a book so they leave me alone!

I think in most places there’s a direct correlation between the friendliness of the staff and the size of the tips being offered…if you want the animation team to make a fuss of you, flash the cash in the first couple of days.

I’m generally happily invisible to that sort of person but last year on holiday (alone) one man decided to make it his personal mission to find me a friend (I was absolutely fine without one 🤣) I was torn between being impressed by his commitment to his cause and slightly alarmed at being singled out!

Its usually the "picks me's" that are besties with the animation team.

It's not about looking dull!

They don't entertain the people they want to hang out with. They entertain the people who they suspect want to be entertained. And they leave alone the people they suspect want to be left to it.

It's their job, that's all.

I cut every attempt to engage with any rep the first day on purpose . I do not what to be engaging with them lol so count yourself lucky

Not sure what kind of places you frequent, or if you’ve just an active imagination but thays far from the reality anywhere I’ve been.

This is me and my family, ive never understood it, it should be studied!

I was the same only recently heard it called that always used to be called entertainers

I feel like I must have resting bitch face and not even realise it

Was there any kids clubs usually they get to know them in the clubs?

Can't imagine any thing worse. Sounds like you dodged a bullet. Does making false temporary "friendships" with a bunch of seasonal entertainment consistute a good holiday? Do you think they give a second shit as soon as that family leave the report. Save your energy

Look back at those reviews. Were they written by people who had only posted a couple of reviews? The ones that mostly focus on the animation team are usually written by team members themselves. This issue is rife on tripadvisor. Focus on reviews that are obviously holiday makers with reviews from other holidays, etc.

Christ, stop reposting the OP

When I read the OP I did wonder if this was the logical conclusion of this for some members of staff. Not the paid-for services necessarily, but having the option of a casual shag who is going to leave the country within the week.

I've been on a few all inclusives and I genuinely think some guests just chat more to the staff and get really involved. My DD is a bit of a character and makes friends with everyone so the animation/kids club team always seem to love her, give her hugs etc but my DH and I tend to just do the pleasantries and leave her to it!!

From what I can gather from being in various Facebook groups, a lot of people go to the same resort every year or even multiple times a year! So they get to know the staff very well. There’s also people who will approach the staff first and make conversation.

I am the same as you OP, I like to be left alone on holiday though.

Some people are sociable on holiday and will talk to anyone whether they are guests or staff. I still find it a bit creepy when people post reviews about staff as though they are friends.
I was once asked by a waiter to post a review and I did. I didn't mention them by name but I did say that I didn't like being approached and the hotel should not encourage the staff to seek reviews.
DH and I seldom speak to a soul other than to order food.
It doesn't have to be AI to have animation teams, I've seen them in hotels where I stayed B&B or HB though they are less common in adult only hotels.

I often join hotel or resort FB groups temporarily before travel because they can be useful for tips on the area.

Wow it's a bit of a stretch to go from friendly kids club/entertainment workers chatting to guests must mean they're prostituting themselves on the side 🤔

Ya boo….[sends animation team to JoJunior] 😜

My thoughts exactly… 😬