Quote:
Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive
Something that's becoming more and more apparent the longer we live here, is the (for want of a better word) disconnect between Villagers and locals. It is not too noticeable in TV, though there are some exceptions, but I've been making it a point to meet and talk to locals (golf course workers, yard service workers, pest control), and have made some friends outside TV, and there is a definite "us against them" attitude. Not on the part of everyone, to be sure; maybe not even on the part of a majority, but enough. Mostly it seems to be a benign mistrust, but on the part of some it is definite antipathy, bordering on hatred. But in general the prevailing feeling seems to be that we Villagers look down on the people who were born and raised here, or who come here for the laborer jobs.
I do my own yard work. A couple of weeks ago I was out mowing, drenched with sweat, then the trash collectors came; a couple of Hispanic men. I shut down the mower and asked "how ya doin"? The driver, noticing that I was bagging the clippings said "Your grass..I take!". I laughed and said I'd save it for the next pickup. They both laughed and continued on their way. Now every time they see me, they make sure to wave. The point? I am dead sure they'd never treat me in a friendly fashion if I hadn't made the first (positive) move.
We're the guests here. My thought is that we bear the lion's share of the responsibility in doing what we can to keep Villager-Local relations friendly. We live in a bubble, but that bubble has boundaries, and if those people peering into the bubble from the outside or meet our service needs inside don't like us or even actively hate us...well, that's uncomfortable. And it could conceivably be, in some circumstances, dangerous.
What can we do to make it less so?
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It’s not the people at all. Many businesses have thrived, and many people have become financially benefited from the population growth. Local business owners truly appreciate your patronages, and the support your clubs and organizations give back to our communities. It’s the massive takeover of growth, the cutting down of all the gorgeous old oaks. It’s so hard, if not impossible, to find a piece of land for family to buy and build on, generations have lived near each other forever. Some of us just wish the continued growth and expansion would stop, so our area can still have a few spots that somewhat resemble the homesteads we have lived in all our lives. And the Villages school, you can’t send your kid unless you work for the villages. Public schools, while good schools, just don’t have the same resources for facilities and programs. Now comes the road expansion proposal through some of the prettiest lands left, taking homes and uprooting people who have been here all their lives, so the issue is it’s all development and politics, not you, so don’t feel unwelcome as a resident!