I am writing to share my experience at Harmony Bowling Alley in Cleveland, Mississippi during a recent visit with a group of middle school students.
At the last minute, we were informed that students would have to bowl in their socks. I asked why, but no clear explanation was provided and the question was brushed off. Since all arrangements were already made and plans were in motion, we proceeded with the visit. Guests should not be expected to bowl in their socks, as it raises both comfort and hygiene concerns.
Unfortunately, once we arrived, our interaction with an employee, Zamaria, was extremely unprofessional and inappropriate for a youth environment. We were not greeted with a hello or welcome. She repeatedly rushed students out of the restroom and arcade areas and made comments suggesting she did not want to clean up after a large group. She seemed like students were bothering her each time they went to the snack area to place an order. At the counter, she snatched money directly from students' hands instead of handling transactions respectfully. When one student asked a question about making a purchase, she responded by asking the child if they could read because the information was written and displayed on the wall -- which was disrespectful and unnecessary.
When an adult chaperone asked for her name in order to address the situation appropriately, she refused to provide it. We later learned from others who work with her that similar concerns about her behavior have been reported before.
In addition, several bowling lanes were malfunctioning during our visit, and many of the arcade games were not working, which further limited the students' experience.
We were scheduled to bowl for an hour and 30 minutes, but the students became increasingly uncomfortable due to her behavior, and we made the decision to leave approximately 30 minutes early.
Despite Zamaria's negative and unprofessional attitude, I am proud to say that the students and the staff chaperoning them remained positive and respectful throughout the visit. The chaperones and students also made sure the bowling area was left clean and spotless before we exited.
This was very disappointing because bowling alleys are supposed to be welcoming, family-friendly spaces, especially for school groups. We hope management addresses these concerns, improves equipment maintenance, and provides proper customer service training so future youth groups have a more positive experience. read more
