Some of these posts remind me of the current issue of immigrants flooding into the US and not wanting to assimilate, but wanting the culture and way of life from their former country. Many who come here for the better weather, do so in spite of the rural lifestyle they have invaded. Some come here and want to change the local politics. I recall discussions with locals (friends and relatives), who, at the time, were less than enthusiastic about the huge growth in their county. At the time, I didn't really understand why. I just thought that they were overwhelmed with the changing landscape. After living here for some time, I now see how the massive influx of different thinking people, many from large population centers can intentionally or unintentionally adversely affect the previously quaint, rural, polite community. People from large population centers, who actually grew accustomed to those areas, see TV as nothing but an improvement to this rural area. As some posters implied, they are here in spite of the local flavor. And many have no intention of assimilating into the local community, but seem to almost talk defiantly about overrunning the locals. Many wish the stores they loved in their former locations, would open a store here. Or many talk about how we need more high end restaurants, like they had in their former location. I witness frequent acts of rudeness, and unfriendliness, much of which is probably innocent and just the hardening of personalities though surviving and functioning in crowded urban areas. I see the difference when I go to a local family business, the young people are unusually polite. Not for rural Central Florida standards, but from where I and many of us spent most of our lives. I hear a lot of "yes sir's" and a genuine respectful attitude. This isn't meant to offend, but it just struck me as I read some of these comments, and remembered a string of comments from other posts over time. I do feel sorry for the locals and many of the original TVers who bought into a true rural village atmosphere, only to watch over time the urbanization of this area.
|