This is an amusing thread. Lots of perceptions about lots of issues, some that strike a hypocritical cord, some sincere. Here's my take on it:
Everyone who moves TO the Villages from somewhere "up north" is an immigrant to this place. We all immigrated. How does it feel to have the natives treat us with scorn and suspicion? We haven't done anything wrong, we're taxpayers, we're injecting the area with increased revenue at the stores, keeping them open for business, providing jobs. And many of us, who want to rely on our social security checks, will accept the minimum-wage positions so as to keep our SS checks coming - which leaves the management positions available to the locals who need their paychecks to feed their families.
I totally get it. Coming from a place where immigration is celebrated, to a place filled with immigrants who demand to be immediately accepted and revered rather than earning their place in the community, I totally get it.
I am an immigrant to the Villages from up north. I appreciate the natives who were here before me or anyone else in the neighborhood. I appreciate the workers who live outside our bubble, and make sure to tell them that, and treat them with the dignity and respect that they deserve.
I actually LISTEN to them when they talk to me, instead of just pretending, as if I were someone who didn't speak their language and didn't care to learn it.
And yes - the ones who speak Spanish, I listen to them too. Knowing the language of the people who work for you is very handy. Y'all should try it some time. It can be an eye-opener.
I think most Villagers are probably nice folks, who just want to enjoy their retirement and not have to think about entitlement or privilege or what it means. But there are some, a minority, who are loud about their "rights." They served in this or that military outfit and therefore should be treated as superior to the people serving them their dinner at the restaurant. They raised 6 kids in poverty and earned every cent they have, so they have the "right" to make demands in a curt tone to the guy changing their tires.
They give the rest of us a bad name. And unfortunately, they are very loud.
So if you want us to have a better reputation, I'll say - EARN it. Be pro-active, get out there, get involved, LISTEN to the native Floridians who live in this Central region, listen to their stories, watch them interact with each other, participate in THEIR community.
Or you can just sit back and complain that they treat us like outsiders. We ARE outsiders.
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