CAMC - Use of language

Rob2CathDavies replied on 24/10/2024 01:20

Posted on 24/10/2024 01:20

Just a quick moan to get a few things off my chest about the CAMC and current deterioration in use of the King’s English, in my humble opinion.

I predict that many reading this will think ‘Get a life!’

Firstly, the Club has started to use the word ‘guests’ on various site notices, and in the site rules.  After 35 years membership, I thought that I was part of the Club, perhaps even in some way, a part owner of the Club and its sites?  I would prefer the term ‘Site User’ which covers members, non-members, and day visitors.  I don’t think of myself as a ‘guest’, do you?  

Secondly, the small notice boards that the CAMC sells for motorvanners to mark their pitch now say ‘Sorry, this pitch is taken’.  Why ‘sorry’?  Why would I be sorry to be using a pitch?  Why not just ‘This pitch is being used by a motorvan’.  One shouldn’t need to apologise for being there!

Lastly (and this one has been mentioned in another thread).  The CAMC claims that awnings are ‘free’, dogs are ‘free’, under 5’s are ‘free’.  No, they are ‘included in the price’!

I am going to copy and paste this into an email to the Sites Department, in the faint hope of a response…!

eribaMotters replied on 24/10/2024 08:50

Posted on 24/10/2024 08:50

I totally agree with you, but then again I have been called pedantic, amongst other things less polite. 

 

Colin

DavidKlyne replied on 24/10/2024 09:28

Posted on 24/10/2024 09:28

Looking at the Club website they seem to have a new sign for when a pitch is in use. You could argue that sorry is not necessary but without the word it seems quite abrupt? Many motorhomes use their own signs on pitches for when they go out for the day. 

As to saying things are "free" when they are included in the price that really is down to marketing because the Club wants you to think about the total price compared to a non Club site where such things might be extras but the headline price is lower?

David

dunelm replied on 24/10/2024 09:44

Posted on 24/10/2024 09:44

I agree that the "sorry" in the notice is unnecessary.We had a simple homemade sign  "campervan returning" which we left on our pitch when we drove out for the day. It was simple and not abrupt.

Tinwheeler replied on 24/10/2024 09:53

Posted on 24/10/2024 09:53

One of my great dislikes (or is it four?) is camc constantly telling us that we can “be assured” that “going forward” they are “working hard” and appreciate us “reaching out”.

I know it’s the modern idiom of language but the repeated use of these terms, especially “be assured”, demeans them with the result that I’m not assured at all. 🤷🏻‍♂️

mickysf replied on 24/10/2024 10:32

Posted on 24/10/2024 10:32

I saw a sign recently which read, “Sorry, Staff Only”. Now I know that the comma makes all the difference but on first glance I did wonder why they were so unhappy.😉

LLM replied on 24/10/2024 10:33

Posted on 24/10/2024 10:33

In place of "guest" I would prefer to see "member" and/or "guest" as appropriate.  To my mind more accurate.   

As for the "free" that is very misleading and in contravention of the guidance given by the Advertising Standards Agency.  Their code makes it clear that anything that is included in the price cannot be described as "free".   

 

Cornersteady replied on 24/10/2024 10:44

Posted on 24/10/2024 10:44

I can't see how the examples you quote are part of the  current deterioration in use of the King’s English?

In using guests as apposed to site user all the club have done is changed one word(s) for another. I think it's actually an improvement and a more polite way of the way the club thinks about us, to me a quest has a higher standing than site user. Guests are usually treated better usually? Would you be happy with hotel user? Do I have guests to dinner or my house users?

Using sorry again how is this a deterioration? To me it's just good manners. 'We' are famous through the world for our pleases, thank yous, and especially saying sorry even when it's not out fault. It's almost automatic. In Italy recently I was asked by an American if  I knew where to stand for a particular tour, I replied 'sorry I don't'.

As to the free... again how is this a deterioration, a worsening, of the English language? It may be a marketing ploy but it's not a deterioration. As been said many times some sites do charge for these so the club is pointing out that it doesn't.

So as I said, it's just different words not a deterioration of the English language. When the club starts using sz pt bng used, wch out 4 children or careful hot h2o then perhaps the OP may have a point. 

 

Takethedogalong replied on 24/10/2024 10:48

Posted on 24/10/2024 10:48

I’m sure the Club will apologise for re phrasing 🤭

Wildwood replied on 24/10/2024 10:56

Posted on 24/10/2024 10:56

I do agree that the use of guest is wrong, we are not guests but members. Yes there are some guests but they are in a minority. Possibly members and guests is correct and should be adopted. Site users would work although it somehow does not scan as well.

I have nothing against the wording of the signs though although I would not have bothered with it. It is far better than leaving the electric cable still plugged in laying across the pitch which is potentially dangerous.

In general dogs and awnings do not cost the club anything so they  are free. I is more a money making scam charging for these by some independent sites. I suppose some people do mess up the grass pitches with awnings but the cost is minimal, you might look at the dog walks but in general these are just spare land not useful otherwise. 

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