[redwitch]

VT, I'm sorry no one stopped to help you. I understand it was dark and raining and that does make it harder to stop, but I'm ashamed that no one offered to help you. I will admit that I hesitate to help someone when it gets dark, but if they are in obvious distress, I will. I'm not sure I would count getting lost as obvious distress, but I might help them, depending on timing, mood, etc.

As to the waving, that's just a shame. I don't necessarily wave, but I do nod my head and smile or raise my fingers from the steering wheel. Hopefully, there were some who did this but you didn't see them.

I don't think that the renters have increased by percentages. By numbers, yes, since there are more houses, but I think the ratio of homeowners to snowbirds/flakes to renters is probably pretty much the same. What you are finding now is the snowbirds. It takes them about a month to relax from being city dwellers with the stress of getting to work on time, etc. to the slower pace here. Once they settle in, things usually get back to being much more friendly. Usually by mid-February people are calmer and nicer. And, whether they wave or not, you have discovered that on a one-on-one meeting, they are friendly, which is rare is most communities.

Hopefully, your opinion will change to meet your past expectations.