Downsouthtigger -
I can totally understand that "run down" feeling you get when you are confronted with an unhappy guest or customer. I am a store manager and face these things on a daily basis too. Sometimes it's very easy to ask yourself "why am I doing this when it's not being appreciated?" It's very easy to get to you boiling point when being cursed at or watching someone throw trash on an area you just spent an hour cleaning. There has to be some middle where we can all get it back to the way it was at WDW. I'm certain that if guests tried to be a little more considerate, CM's wouldn't lose any of their magic. I lose the magic watching these people and I don't even work there. I want to ask them to take their families and go to another park and leave "ours" nice and neat the way it's intended to be. Yes, we pay to be there, but we still have to do our part and cleaning up after ones self isn't exaclty asking for much. The next time I encounter a not so perky CM, I will add a smile to my request and let them know how appreciated their hard work is.
BTW: the best way to deal with an irrate guest/customer while they are screaming at you is with a smile and a "have a magical day". It makes them look foolish. Of course there will always be one or two that have NO pride and no concern of their language or tone of voice, but it should work for most.
Thanks for a CM's perpective on this issue. It was great to hear another side.
:)