A Rant

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 4:03pm

My job is having a day at Six Flags next month for all employees and their families. Employees are free and each immediate family member is $10 and you can bring up to four people. All guests must be immediate family members - no friends allowed. So, the leaves the single people out in the cold. I'm not married and have no children. Am I expected to go to Six Flags alone and just wander around by myself because it's free?

I know I could bring a friend and we could just split a full price ticket but why should I get the short end of the stick because I'm not married? I still count as a person. I still live, breathe, and have feelings.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 4:12pm

That's a tough one. Do you have a sibling or cousin who could go with you? Or maybe just lie and say a friend is a sibling?

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 4:27pm

My brothers don't live locally and I can't take my sister because she won't go the rides.

I could lie but I shouldn't have to.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 4:28pm

That really sucks. Maybe you could talk to whoever's running the trip and explain your situation.

Posted: 6/4/09 at 4:32pm

On one hand, it seems bad that the company is displaying an anti-single-person Bias. On the other hand, it's the company's money and they are free to spend it as they see fit. You don't want to spend your money to bring a date or friend, why do you expect them to?

[clever name]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 4:33pm

That is rediculous that you can't bring a friend! I would bring a friend and say I was related.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 4:33pm

You're right Eris, that really doesn't seem fair. Are there any other employees in your situation?

I know you shouldn't have to lie, but that's what I'd do.

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 4:36pm

Why don't you just lie & say that your friends are relatives?

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 4:36pm

"You don't want to spend your money to bring a date or friend, why do you expect them to?"

I did say that buying a full price ticket and splitting it between me and my friend is an option. I just don't appreciate being singled out so to speak

Updated On: 6/4/09 at 04:36 PM

Posted: 6/4/09 at 4:57pm

I understand that- I didn't mean it to sound nasty. I've been in the spot of being "the Boss" and figuring out who gets what. If you had a partner or long time significant other I'd make the case that you go to the boss and petition. I used to say that company outings were for employees and "Spouses or equivalents"- I'd buy your serious girlfriend or domestic partner dinner at the company Xmas party every year, but it's really not the time to bring around some casual date. In this case, if you want to bring someone, buy them a ticket. The point of a company outing is to hang with coworkers socially. Who do you eat lunch with? Can't you hang out with them (and their kids and spouses or whatever)?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 4:59pm

Kinda like being gay, in a way.

I agree with the people who say lie: Make your friend your cousin.

[Calvin]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 5:05pm

This also might be Six Flags' policy, not your company's policy.

[wonkit]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 5:46pm

I have to dissent on this. An employee who has a family receives a paycheck that does not increase because he or she has a spouse and kids. If you are single, your paycheck represents money which is entirely within your discretion. It is reasonable for an employer to say that when it comes to additional little perks like a day at Six Flags, someone with six kids is going to have a harder time coming up with eight times the price of admission than a single person coming up with one additional full price admission that a friend would have to pay to enter the park anyway. Sorry - no pity party on this - be a grown up and pay up.

[turquoisefish]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 5:55pm

I kind of agree with wonkit that it is a perk for families but I think a fair compromise would be 1 friend or 4 family members.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 6:21pm

Wait a second...because I don't think it's fair I'm not a grown up?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 6:24pm

I'd have to disagree, wonkit. Your logic only applies to families with children. The discount applies to any family member, be it a spouse, sibling or even a parent. If they wanted to be fair, the discount should only apply to tickets for children. Not to mention the fact that most married couples have a two-income household, with or without children. Singles typically have one source of income and compared to couples without children, have a larger burden when it comes to expenses. But since the discount applies to "family members", it is moot, since a "family member" could include an adult, not just a child. I would definitely bring it up with your company and if they won't budge, find out if any of your work friends are also attending alone.

Personally, I'm ok with going to a theme park alone. You never have to argue with anyone over what to ride and you typically can jump ahead in the queue when the pimply-faced loud-mouthed teen in their matchy Garanimals uniform with a superiority complex shouts, "IS ANYONE RIDING ALONE?!?!" I actually made a hot little date years ago meeting someone who was riding alone. Hee!

By the way, does anyone else get totally annoyed by the intercom "ride speak" universally taught in all theme parks? They have this certain unnatural cadence and lilt that only makes it ten times harder to understand whatever their rehearsed spiel may be. It's not so bad when it's just safety instructions, which nobody listens to anyway, but when it is a guided tour, I just want to knock them in the skull with that damn CB mic.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 6:24pm

That would be a fair compromise, turquoisefish.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 6:27pm

Call it immoral but I'm on the same boat as the people who say to lie. I have pretty good values, in general, but in this case, lieing isn't going to hurt anybody or cause any harm.

Is there someone at work who needs 3 tickets (for family) but could order 4, just so you can have the extra for your friend? I guess it's still cheating the system, but as I said, is this going to make any difference in the long run? No. So, lie and move on with life.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 6:36pm

We are all so going to hell telling her to lie! LOL!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 6:41pm

Turquoisefish, that's all I want. Just one ticket.

And Stockard, I think you were already doomed for watching RHoNJ

Should I decide to lie does a cousin count as immediate family? The flyer specifically stipulates "immediate family".

I can't pass her off as my sister, For starters, I'd have to call her "Lauren" all day since people at work know my sister's name. And she's Jewish and I'm Irish Catholic. We look nothing alike. lol

And thanks, Mr Matt. Just because I'm single w/o children doesn't mean I'm rich.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 6:46pm

And Stockard, I think you were already doomed for watching RHoNJ

Well I'll be in good BWW company!

I don't think a cousin counts as immediate family. But you could ask casually and see, and then if they say no find a friend that looks like you and call her Lauren all day.

This is quite the conundrum.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 7:21pm

Eris, I am so sorry you are put in this position. You are dealing with old-school, white, heterosexist male crap from the dark ages. Someone (maybe you and some co-workers in a similar situation) needs to talk to HR or whoever is purchasing the tickets. Your company is placing a value on families as they define them. Single people are entitled to the same perks as "married folks". That is total BS. You should not have to lie. You work just as hard and as someone else mentioned, we singles have to make one income go farther. This could even be a Union issue, if you have one. The dark ages are over and family has changed. You deserve the extra tickets for whomever you are close to.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 8:06pm

Bettyboy, thanks. I hope to get the opportunity to speak to the president of the company tomorrow. I wanted to speak to her before I left but she was on the phone and I couldn't hang around and wait for her. I'm hoping by telling her that I'm only looking for one ticket instead of the full four she'll allow it.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 8:50pm

"On the other hand, it's the company's money and they are free to spend it as they see fit."

The company isn't out one thin dime. 6 Flags gives companies these discounts to fill the park up.

If I were you, I'd mention to the people in charge that their policy is biased and discriminatory.

Updated On: 6/4/09 at 08:50 PM

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 9:09pm

Would they allow a gay employee to bring a SO?