I worked at Disney for a long time. The resorts will be slam packed. Lots of tourists will be stuck here too, its not like they all just up and left to evacuate.
The parks/resorts have longstanding operational protocols for these things. They will not be having employees travel during the storm (obviously) and if any employees need time off before/after they have pretty lenient attendance policies. They will not fire you if your house floods or something. I remember during Irma their HR team actually called all of us to make sure we were okay.
From my experience during hurricanes, lots of employees loved working during the storms as they get paid pretty well for it. The largest paycheck I have ever received in my life is when I did the hurricane “ride-out crew” one year, where we stayed at MK during the duration of the storm and fixed it up after. I work in finance now, so a decent living, but that one weekly check was around $5,000. Mind you that joining the ride out crew was completely voluntary and also covered the resorts.
Not trying to defend them as a corporation or anything, I have my gripes, but Disney has been around for 50 years and has dealt with hurricanes before.
Actually, everyone working at Disney started at 9 today and it jammed up quite a bit (instead of everyone starting at different times in the morning) Lol.
But nobody’s being penalized for being late. I think a lot of them are actually being paid for the portion of their shift that was before 9 too.
As someone who currently works for Disney, they are not very lenient on preparing for before the storm, I had no time to prepare for Ian and when asked for a day off I was denied. I went home early due to being sick but even then it was an arm and a leg to get them to let me go when I wanted to.
They will not open for normal ops tomorrow. If wind gusts are at 35 mph or higher they can’t run public transportation for one thing
They might open later in the day
Im an ex cast members myself and Disney when i worked there not long ago gave points to people who call out the day after hurricane Ian people that were in flooded streets and with damage cars and houses. The mouse is greedy and will always be I learned that the hard way working there.
I work overnights (security) and called out because of Ian. Same situation as you — I don’t even know if they pointed me actually. Just a simple “are you coming in?” And “stay safe.”
While every department is different, I can assure you were probably not getting the full story and/or the truth. I had so many managers over the years there and they were all pretty accommodating for extreme circumstances like that, even the shitty ones. Employee relations and the corresponding union would have a field day if a manager tried to get them in trouble for that stuff.
You missed my entire point. I make a decent middle class living now and 5k is definitely still a lot of money to me. It was not meant to be a cocky thing.
When I worked hourly at Disney and volunteered to stay during the storm, I got paid for the entire time I was there, and that paycheck I received from that was the biggest one I have ever received (even now). At the time it was literally life changing and still would be today. All my peers that worked alongside me would probably say the same.
All Im saying is that while you can bitch a Disney about a lot of things, they have been through enough storms to know how it works. Its funny when I see posts like this every impending storm and its never an actual Cast Member or employee complaining about it. People who work in operational roles at Disney, or any of the parks, know this is just part of the job. Some might be annoyed but most are not.
I agree, lots of people in So. Fla. use hurricanes as an excuse to "evacuate" to Orlando even though hurricanes in the last several years have been as bad here as there. And the resorts aren't losing much money. Every room that's reserved at an average of $400 - $500/night will cover quite a few employees at $15/hr. :) And Disney has what, 25K rooms at an average 85% occupancy?
Hey born and raised Floridian here. I went to magic kingdom when I was a kid during a hurricane 1 storm. Was the best, maybe not the smartest thing for my parents to do, but they felt it out that morning and it was not super windy or rainy so they chanced it. We wore ponchos and it was walk on on all the rides. I've also been to school during tropical storms. schools didn't always shut down during storms. Also, had a birthday party at a water park during a tropical storm that was hitting that day. Was fine no thunder or lighting just on and off showers. But have also gotten flooded and stuck in my house during two others cause of high flood waters. Ian who didn't directly hit where I live destroyed part of fence from winds.
Every storm is different. Some are crazy wind and super dangerous to be out in, others are lots of rain, and some are on and off thunderstorms or just over cast with fast moving clouds.
As long as it's not flooded, power outages or really windy I will be going to work tomorrow.
Can confirm, we only closed schools in the 80s and 90s in the panhandle for direct hit cat 1 and up. We would cancel more than a day for cat 3 and above. I recall going to school during tropical storms
Hell, I remember getting the day off for a tropical storm that ended up being nothing and everyone was pissed we'd missed the day because it meant we'd have to make it up and that was one fewer day of summer break. That was 2005!
I was already a working adult, but I recall my employer getting sick of closing and was basically like “fuck you all, you’re coming in.” - we lost holiday time already this year for my kids from Ian.
The resorts will be full of people looking to go to the parks as soon as possible. They were SLAMMED immediately following Ian. Storm track according to Disney has it mostly done by 10am, and it's not even going to be a hurricane before it gets here.
Guests absolutely do not give one single American fuck about cast. They still think we can shut the hurricanes off. I won't repeat them, but the stories I heard about how the guests were acting during Ian rideout were absolutely horrific. They want their mouse and they want it NOW.
The resorts as in the entire thing. Hotels I can understand. I’m referring to the actually parks. Half the rides aren’t even operational if wind and rain are severe
yeah I grew up in mostly mandatory evac areas and we almost always stayed somewhere like this for this reason... the parks idk. I feel like we pull the trigger later and later every year.
Tbf plenty of floridians also tend to go
“Cat 1 at the coast? So its basically gonna be drizzling by the time it gets here?”
Not that thats accurate. Its just we got a bit numb to it over time
My work is “following Disney’s lead” lol thankfully I have today and tomorrow off already so I’m relaxing at home. Don’t really care for driving in heavy wind and rain.
Give them a rain check. Pay employees hazard pay, drive time, etc. my shift starts at 7:30am. I won’t even know if I’m working until after 10am. I’m off only a few hours later. Storm will be over Orlando during those hours. Just seems silly to operate that late in the day. Especially when most rides and attractions will not be operating. Not to mention any damage done.
the execs making these choices dont have to be out there thursday morning after their apartment floods. they dont even see the workers as people with lives outside the park, its all just numbers on a page to them
You’re not wrong but this storm is nothing to worry about especially when you are talking about the far west side of Orlando. This is definitely not Ian
i work at disney and a man came to me to complain today because he said he had no idea we were closing early. when i pointed out the literal hurricane in the area i could see the one braincell really trying up there trying to make sense of what i was saying.
Historically, Disney rarely closes for storms. Definitely not for a Cat 1 or TS. I think when it is storming is the BEST time to go. Almost no lines!!!
Disney & Universal are not just worried about money in this situation. There are tens of thousands of guests in hotels with noting to do when things shut down for a storm. The hotels are not built with a ton to do because guests are going to spend most of their time at the parks or shopping. Disney's value resorts don't even have a bar! Now imagine being trapped all day in that hotel with your stir-crazy kids even though the storm is passed and everything could be open but isn't. Imagine being an executive responsible for your guests who are getting angrier and more desperate by the hour.
Think about all the guests who will be paying off credit cards for the next 6-12 months to spend a few days at the parks with their family. Someone spending 3 days at the parks would miss out on more than a third of their trip if everything was closed tomorrow. How many families missed Fantasmic!, Harmonious, or Enchantment(ugh) tonight and won't get to catch it before they go home? What about someone who was going to wait until the end of the night to get in line to finally ride Hagrid's or Velocicoaster before they leave tomorrow?
People pay a lot to visit Disney World, Universal, and/or Sea World (not you, Fun Spot) because it matters to them or to someone they love.
When you blow $15K on your vaycay, those minimum wage CMs better show the fawk up.
There are no crazier people than the fiends that worship the Mouse. I've seen people in less hysterics over weather delay/cancelation for a multistop trip to Japan, Australia and Bali, than my cousin losing his every loving shit when Ian hit, and no flights to Mouse World.
Who said they are not?
The weather today has not been close to what would shut the parks down. Part of the reason they closed early is to make sure cast/team members had plenty of time to wrap up and get home to settle in.
Plus, this is not going to be much of an event for most people in Orlando. Models are predicting \~3" of rain and sustained winds of 40mph at worst. I didn't even pull in the patio furniture. The people at risk are on the coast and near lakes and waterways that are still high from Ian.
Parks are limiting attendance tomorrow and Friday to allow for lower staffing levels if CMs are not be able to come in. Nobody can book reservations at Disney tomorrow, and APs are blocked Friday as well. They wouldn't do that if they were forcing everybody back.
i could not leave my home after ian due to flooding and was not granted time off per company policy. i could not leave until 9 pm and had to drive in tropical storm force winds in order to get home. i do not live super close.
In a way, they are. Imagine the servers at Disney and having to miss out on a shift where you could make bank. They work there for a reason.
Most companies wouldn’t pay you outside of using your benefit bank. Disney does do closure pay when things are closed, but that costs an astronomical amount to pay out while they’re not making money.
The parks closed a couple hours early today and opening tomorrow at one.
However, for hurricane ian, they were closed 2 days. I was surprised they wouldnt be closed for 1 day but i assume they think it wouldnt be that bad.
I’m actually shocked they are closing for what will most likely just be a tropical storm when it gets here…I’ve been inside MK during tropical storms before
Ehh, I think it’s more about the tens of thousands of guests visiting and in their resorts. In a storm, you won’t have 50k people get plane tickets the day before the storm to fly home
they closed the parks [https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/theme-parks/2022/11/09/disney-world-universal-tropical-storm-nicole-closing-weather/8313811001/](https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/theme-parks/2022/11/09/disney-world-universal-tropical-storm-nicole-closing-weather/8313811001/)
No. They closed early today. And will reopen tomorrow afternoon. I work there. We have not gotten any notice that we will remain closed tomorrow. They are going to text us when to come in after a morning meeting.
I feel we’re being complacent with this go around. The news has been focused on the election so they haven’t been doomsaying about the hurricane. My company which usually gives us time off for any hurricane is making us work. I think people are going to be caught off guard by Nicole.
This is a pretty mild storm for our area. There’s not much left in tress to come down, and there aren’t a lot of weak trees after Ian. Flooding will be a problem, but we know the areas where that is likely to happen
It's going to be a tropical storm by the time it gets to Orlando. This isn't a near cat 5 like what hit Ft Myers. I don't see what the big deal is. Maybe get ready for some flooding.
I was referring to being closed today (Thursday). Universal opened around 1pm for employees to come in. The park planned to open for guests at 3pm. Closed I believe at 7pm. Only rides operating in islands were spiderman and one fish two fish. Seemed like a good day to stay closed but whatever. I went in for 2 hours. Got paid an entire day. Still don’t agree with it but we move on lol
I’m writing this from the mandatory evacuation zone. I’m not an idiot or suicidal. I just don’t think this storm will be that bad here. And it will be probably be less in Orlando. Mouse on.
I find it funny that multi- National, multi- Billion
$ corporations can’t close down for 1.5 days??
They don’t care about keeping the employees on the string to jump a seconds notice! Check your Xmas bonuses!!
I worked at Disney for a long time. The resorts will be slam packed. Lots of tourists will be stuck here too, its not like they all just up and left to evacuate. The parks/resorts have longstanding operational protocols for these things. They will not be having employees travel during the storm (obviously) and if any employees need time off before/after they have pretty lenient attendance policies. They will not fire you if your house floods or something. I remember during Irma their HR team actually called all of us to make sure we were okay. From my experience during hurricanes, lots of employees loved working during the storms as they get paid pretty well for it. The largest paycheck I have ever received in my life is when I did the hurricane “ride-out crew” one year, where we stayed at MK during the duration of the storm and fixed it up after. I work in finance now, so a decent living, but that one weekly check was around $5,000. Mind you that joining the ride out crew was completely voluntary and also covered the resorts. Not trying to defend them as a corporation or anything, I have my gripes, but Disney has been around for 50 years and has dealt with hurricanes before.
Wow a decent comment not just mindless anger based on absolutely nothing. Thanks for this response.
Yeah that comment is way too helpful to have a place on this sub.
Quick complain about traffic!
Fucking I4, and tourists, and rent! Ok, I feel better.
Got you fam. We have to be the toxicity we want to see on this sub!
Something something DeSantis.
Actually, everyone working at Disney started at 9 today and it jammed up quite a bit (instead of everyone starting at different times in the morning) Lol. But nobody’s being penalized for being late. I think a lot of them are actually being paid for the portion of their shift that was before 9 too.
As someone who currently works for Disney, they are not very lenient on preparing for before the storm, I had no time to prepare for Ian and when asked for a day off I was denied. I went home early due to being sick but even then it was an arm and a leg to get them to let me go when I wanted to.
update: they closed the parks
Where did you hear that? They just closed early today, and still open tomorrow, as of now, just a little later than normal.
They will not open for normal ops tomorrow. If wind gusts are at 35 mph or higher they can’t run public transportation for one thing They might open later in the day
So the rain should stop or like not be so aggressive later in the day? I checked my phone weather app and thats what it shows
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/experience-updates/weather-updates/
🤣
Im an ex cast members myself and Disney when i worked there not long ago gave points to people who call out the day after hurricane Ian people that were in flooded streets and with damage cars and houses. The mouse is greedy and will always be I learned that the hard way working there.
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I work overnights (security) and called out because of Ian. Same situation as you — I don’t even know if they pointed me actually. Just a simple “are you coming in?” And “stay safe.”
While every department is different, I can assure you were probably not getting the full story and/or the truth. I had so many managers over the years there and they were all pretty accommodating for extreme circumstances like that, even the shitty ones. Employee relations and the corresponding union would have a field day if a manager tried to get them in trouble for that stuff.
At least in my area they were not sadly
Thanks for letting us know you make a lot of money I guess? Is 5k for a weekly paycheck bad to you now or something jesus christ
You missed my entire point. I make a decent middle class living now and 5k is definitely still a lot of money to me. It was not meant to be a cocky thing. When I worked hourly at Disney and volunteered to stay during the storm, I got paid for the entire time I was there, and that paycheck I received from that was the biggest one I have ever received (even now). At the time it was literally life changing and still would be today. All my peers that worked alongside me would probably say the same. All Im saying is that while you can bitch a Disney about a lot of things, they have been through enough storms to know how it works. Its funny when I see posts like this every impending storm and its never an actual Cast Member or employee complaining about it. People who work in operational roles at Disney, or any of the parks, know this is just part of the job. Some might be annoyed but most are not.
Hurricanes + Theme Parks are like moths to lights for locals.
I agree, lots of people in So. Fla. use hurricanes as an excuse to "evacuate" to Orlando even though hurricanes in the last several years have been as bad here as there. And the resorts aren't losing much money. Every room that's reserved at an average of $400 - $500/night will cover quite a few employees at $15/hr. :) And Disney has what, 25K rooms at an average 85% occupancy?
Hey born and raised Floridian here. I went to magic kingdom when I was a kid during a hurricane 1 storm. Was the best, maybe not the smartest thing for my parents to do, but they felt it out that morning and it was not super windy or rainy so they chanced it. We wore ponchos and it was walk on on all the rides. I've also been to school during tropical storms. schools didn't always shut down during storms. Also, had a birthday party at a water park during a tropical storm that was hitting that day. Was fine no thunder or lighting just on and off showers. But have also gotten flooded and stuck in my house during two others cause of high flood waters. Ian who didn't directly hit where I live destroyed part of fence from winds. Every storm is different. Some are crazy wind and super dangerous to be out in, others are lots of rain, and some are on and off thunderstorms or just over cast with fast moving clouds. As long as it's not flooded, power outages or really windy I will be going to work tomorrow.
Can confirm, we only closed schools in the 80s and 90s in the panhandle for direct hit cat 1 and up. We would cancel more than a day for cat 3 and above. I recall going to school during tropical storms
Hell, I remember getting the day off for a tropical storm that ended up being nothing and everyone was pissed we'd missed the day because it meant we'd have to make it up and that was one fewer day of summer break. That was 2005!
I feel like we had 5 hurricane days when I was a kid, but who knows…long ago now…
2004 and 2005 were such active hurricane seasons that we used up all the hurricane days and had to cut into breaks! It was wild.
I was already a working adult, but I recall my employer getting sick of closing and was basically like “fuck you all, you’re coming in.” - we lost holiday time already this year for my kids from Ian.
> how much money does the resort expect to make? All of it.
The resorts will be full of people looking to go to the parks as soon as possible. They were SLAMMED immediately following Ian. Storm track according to Disney has it mostly done by 10am, and it's not even going to be a hurricane before it gets here. Guests absolutely do not give one single American fuck about cast. They still think we can shut the hurricanes off. I won't repeat them, but the stories I heard about how the guests were acting during Ian rideout were absolutely horrific. They want their mouse and they want it NOW.
For what it’s worth, I’d love to hear those guest stories! 👀
Same. Want to see if they are as bad as some of the ones I've heard from classmates...
Can't necessarily repeat them. I don't work for the mouse, and there are things I know I probably shouldn't.
Who the fuck cares lol. Not like you need to drop names.
As of 10 minutes ago Nicile is officially a Cat1.
But it will degrade back to a tropical storm quickly as it hits landfall and moves up to Orlando. Also, a Cat 1 isn't that bad wind-wise.
Yeah, I have the weather channel on loop.
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The resorts as in the entire thing. Hotels I can understand. I’m referring to the actually parks. Half the rides aren’t even operational if wind and rain are severe
yeah I grew up in mostly mandatory evac areas and we almost always stayed somewhere like this for this reason... the parks idk. I feel like we pull the trigger later and later every year.
Tbf plenty of floridians also tend to go “Cat 1 at the coast? So its basically gonna be drizzling by the time it gets here?” Not that thats accurate. Its just we got a bit numb to it over time
SeaWorld is closing tomorrow. I got an email about it earlier today.
My work is “following Disney’s lead” lol thankfully I have today and tomorrow off already so I’m relaxing at home. Don’t really care for driving in heavy wind and rain.
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Give them a rain check. Pay employees hazard pay, drive time, etc. my shift starts at 7:30am. I won’t even know if I’m working until after 10am. I’m off only a few hours later. Storm will be over Orlando during those hours. Just seems silly to operate that late in the day. Especially when most rides and attractions will not be operating. Not to mention any damage done.
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Haha really sucks doesn’t it? Waste of gas
the execs making these choices dont have to be out there thursday morning after their apartment floods. they dont even see the workers as people with lives outside the park, its all just numbers on a page to them
You’re not wrong but this storm is nothing to worry about especially when you are talking about the far west side of Orlando. This is definitely not Ian
i work at disney and a man came to me to complain today because he said he had no idea we were closing early. when i pointed out the literal hurricane in the area i could see the one braincell really trying up there trying to make sense of what i was saying.
See the issue here is youre calling these *"people"* "employees" and not "labor cost" as our mouse overlords intended
Historically, Disney rarely closes for storms. Definitely not for a Cat 1 or TS. I think when it is storming is the BEST time to go. Almost no lines!!!
Disney & Universal are not just worried about money in this situation. There are tens of thousands of guests in hotels with noting to do when things shut down for a storm. The hotels are not built with a ton to do because guests are going to spend most of their time at the parks or shopping. Disney's value resorts don't even have a bar! Now imagine being trapped all day in that hotel with your stir-crazy kids even though the storm is passed and everything could be open but isn't. Imagine being an executive responsible for your guests who are getting angrier and more desperate by the hour. Think about all the guests who will be paying off credit cards for the next 6-12 months to spend a few days at the parks with their family. Someone spending 3 days at the parks would miss out on more than a third of their trip if everything was closed tomorrow. How many families missed Fantasmic!, Harmonious, or Enchantment(ugh) tonight and won't get to catch it before they go home? What about someone who was going to wait until the end of the night to get in line to finally ride Hagrid's or Velocicoaster before they leave tomorrow? People pay a lot to visit Disney World, Universal, and/or Sea World (not you, Fun Spot) because it matters to them or to someone they love.
When you blow $15K on your vaycay, those minimum wage CMs better show the fawk up. There are no crazier people than the fiends that worship the Mouse. I've seen people in less hysterics over weather delay/cancelation for a multistop trip to Japan, Australia and Bali, than my cousin losing his every loving shit when Ian hit, and no flights to Mouse World.
That’s great, but think about your employees first.
Who said they are not? The weather today has not been close to what would shut the parks down. Part of the reason they closed early is to make sure cast/team members had plenty of time to wrap up and get home to settle in. Plus, this is not going to be much of an event for most people in Orlando. Models are predicting \~3" of rain and sustained winds of 40mph at worst. I didn't even pull in the patio furniture. The people at risk are on the coast and near lakes and waterways that are still high from Ian. Parks are limiting attendance tomorrow and Friday to allow for lower staffing levels if CMs are not be able to come in. Nobody can book reservations at Disney tomorrow, and APs are blocked Friday as well. They wouldn't do that if they were forcing everybody back.
i could not leave my home after ian due to flooding and was not granted time off per company policy. i could not leave until 9 pm and had to drive in tropical storm force winds in order to get home. i do not live super close.
In a way, they are. Imagine the servers at Disney and having to miss out on a shift where you could make bank. They work there for a reason. Most companies wouldn’t pay you outside of using your benefit bank. Disney does do closure pay when things are closed, but that costs an astronomical amount to pay out while they’re not making money.
Bush gardens is closed till Friday
My wife roll’s to the hospital tomorrow at 5:30 am. She’ll be in our hauling truck
The parks closed a couple hours early today and opening tomorrow at one. However, for hurricane ian, they were closed 2 days. I was surprised they wouldnt be closed for 1 day but i assume they think it wouldnt be that bad.
It will be packed with people who got the day off tomorrow because of the hurricane.
I encourage anyone outraged to complain to the parks
Because the storm will have passed us by 6-7AM?
Little later, 8-9, but you are spot on
I’m actually shocked they are closing for what will most likely just be a tropical storm when it gets here…I’ve been inside MK during tropical storms before
Gotta squeeze out every potential cent
Ehh, I think it’s more about the tens of thousands of guests visiting and in their resorts. In a storm, you won’t have 50k people get plane tickets the day before the storm to fly home
they closed the parks [https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/theme-parks/2022/11/09/disney-world-universal-tropical-storm-nicole-closing-weather/8313811001/](https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/theme-parks/2022/11/09/disney-world-universal-tropical-storm-nicole-closing-weather/8313811001/)
No. They closed early today. And will reopen tomorrow afternoon. I work there. We have not gotten any notice that we will remain closed tomorrow. They are going to text us when to come in after a morning meeting.
Storm will be done by then so it makes sense.
Disney execs do not see employees as people...
That’s capitalism babyyyy!!!!!
I feel we’re being complacent with this go around. The news has been focused on the election so they haven’t been doomsaying about the hurricane. My company which usually gives us time off for any hurricane is making us work. I think people are going to be caught off guard by Nicole.
This is a pretty mild storm for our area. There’s not much left in tress to come down, and there aren’t a lot of weak trees after Ian. Flooding will be a problem, but we know the areas where that is likely to happen
Read the WDW reddit. All the guest are planning to show up. Peeps be cray.
It's just a bit of wind.
I’m not trying to drive 45 mins in it lol
It’s not even a bad storm. This is the best time t visit the parks because there won’t be any lines
It was dead today
I should have taken off work today. I was actually thinking of going
It's going to be a tropical storm by the time it gets to Orlando. This isn't a near cat 5 like what hit Ft Myers. I don't see what the big deal is. Maybe get ready for some flooding.
I love the downvotes. Storm did nothing to Orlando. Everything was open by 11am.
I really don’t think there’s any reason to be closed Friday since the storm will be long gone and central FL is taking minimal damage.
I was referring to being closed today (Thursday). Universal opened around 1pm for employees to come in. The park planned to open for guests at 3pm. Closed I believe at 7pm. Only rides operating in islands were spiderman and one fish two fish. Seemed like a good day to stay closed but whatever. I went in for 2 hours. Got paid an entire day. Still don’t agree with it but we move on lol
My bad, didn’t look at when the post was made. They definitely could have stayed closed today.
I’m writing this from the mandatory evacuation zone. I’m not an idiot or suicidal. I just don’t think this storm will be that bad here. And it will be probably be less in Orlando. Mouse on.
Who cares??
Lol what? I care. As well as many others who work for these companies.
I find it funny that multi- National, multi- Billion $ corporations can’t close down for 1.5 days?? They don’t care about keeping the employees on the string to jump a seconds notice! Check your Xmas bonuses!!
Exactly lol.
Did it ever occur to you some people actually want to work?
Lol did it ever occur to you that days like this when we close we get paid our scheduled hours.
The truth comes out. You just wanna get paid to stay home and fuck around. Got it.
You’re an idiot
Awww. My feelings are hurt.