Webcam shows saved seats

[jdsl1998]

I just looked at the Lake Sumter Landing webcam at 3:14 and it shows people who have saved seats for tonight. That doesn't seem very nice.

[Lovey2]

Nice?? I didn't know you could do such a thing. If your butt isn't in the chair and I wanted it, I think I'd use it. Now, if you're willing to go up there 2 hours before the show start, and sit there, I say, have at it! But to drape stuff to save seats, seems like they'd put a stop to that. Where are the square "parking nazi's" when this kinda stuff is going on?

[bkcunningham1]

Scooter The DJ is going to be there. People always seem to have a lot of fun and love to dance to his music. It always seems to work out and everyone enjoys themselves-saved seats and all.

DJ Scooter playing YMCA in the Villages Florida. DJ Scooter Rocks. A favorite at The Villages. - YouTube

[jdsl1998]

I agree Lovey2...well said! I just looked because we have company and want to go to see Scooter and I wondered if they had market days going on. Surprise by the chairs and displeased with fellow Villages.
Lake Sumter Landing Market Square, The Villages (http://www.thevillages.com/lifestyle/cam_lsl.asp)

[bkcunningham1]

Go and have fun anyway jdsl1998. Take your own chairs and find a place to sit when you aren't up dancing!

[Lovey2]

Know all about it, bkcunningham, but I'd like to think my neighbors really aren't that self-centered. Like I said, if you wanna be in those particular seats so badly, bring a lunch, and go up there and sit!

[bkcunningham1]

Know all about it, bkcunningham, but I'd like to think my neighbors really aren't that self-centered. Like I said, if you wanna be in those particular seats so badly, bring a lunch, and go up there and sit!

Okay, then let's think it is people who don't live in TV who roped off the chairs. Your neighbors are still the greatest people on earth. Now those horrible chair ropers on the other hand....LOL Have fun guys!

[ajbrown]

No saving chairs is one of the pet peavey items I add to my yearly survey. Just update the signs, no smoking in square and no saving chairs.

I would think you could have a situation of "chair rage" someday...

[CFrance]

Add it to the survey--no seat saving!

[Lovey2]

No saving chairs is one of the pet peavey items I add to my yearly survey. Just update the signs, no smoking in square and no saving chairs.

I would think you could have a situation of "chair rage" someday...

Good idea. I took mine and couldn't really see where comments of that sort were to go, but when I sit my husband down to take his, I'll put it somewhere.

[George Bieniaszek]

Easy way to end chair saving is for The Villages not to provide as many chairs for residents. Everyone bring your own chair (BYOC). Have some Villages chairs set aside for the mobility challenged people and that's it.

[wholman66]

I have heard that the individuals saving the seats when Scooter is there aren't even Villagers!!!!! They follow him around and are dance classes from outside The Villages, just heard, nothing I know for certain...

[ronat1]

No saving chairs is one of the pet peavey items I add to my yearly survey. Just update the signs, no smoking in square and no saving chairs.

I would think you could have a situation of "chair rage" someday...

It's a fact that there have already been "chair rage" incidents in the past several years at the squares due to seat saving. (i.e. physical and verbal confrontations)

[renrod]

I have heard that the individuals saving the seats when Scooter is there aren't even Villagers!!!!! They follow him around and are dance classes from outside The Villages, just heard, nothing I know for certain...

If anyone HEARS something spread it before it dies.

[TheVillageChicken]

The pic I get from those web cams is so small, there is no way I can make out enough detail to tell if someone is saving seats.

[BogeyBoy]

We were at Spanish Springs with out of town guests yesterday. About an hour before Rocky and the Rollers were to start the chairs were pretty empty - except for the jackets, towels, ribbons, etc. to save them. We could not find a chair that did not have some article placed on it. The place was a mob scene - Rocky and the Rollers plus vendor night.

[mrbgull]

no saving chairs

[Arctic Fox]

If you want to sit on "reserved" chairs I suggest that you take a photo of them on your phone, making sure that the time is recorded, then wait ten minutes before sitting down.

When the owners of the jackets/towels come along half an hour later and claim that they were only gone five minutes to get drinks you will have the evidence that proves otherwise.

Of course, there might still be a fight...

[e-flyer]

We have been here the last 5 years and seat savings has been the norm. You also see it at dance classes, zumba, and any other popular event. I don't think it will change. Where I see the biggest problem, is when someone gets up to dance and doesn't leave anything on their chairs, they get ticked when they return to find someone sitting in them……...:boxing2:

[Bogie Shooter]

I have heard that the individuals saving the seats when Scooter is there aren't even Villagers!!!!! They follow him around and are dance classes from outside The Villages, just heard, nothing I know for certain...

Now where did you hear that? Is this passing a rumor?

[Ooper]

There is a group of line dancers at Market Square that always saves a group of seats if they plan on attending for the night. And when Scooter is there, seats become a premium.

[marlinguy]

I understand Rocky will be at Brownwood tonight. I, like many others, feel that there are no Reserved, VIP, or any other kind of seats to be saved at an entertainment venue that is open to the public. ESPECIALLY by persons that don't live here! Handicapped persons excepted. So, join me tonight at Brownwood and join the "We aren't Gonna Take It Anymore" club and ,,,,

[TNLAKEPANDA]

We were there last night and got there early. I could not believe all the "saved seats" and the people did not show up for over an hour later. I have heard that people actually go there in the morning and save seats. That is just not right and should not be allowed. It is different if you are actually there and saving a few seats for your friend. Someone actually had about 8 seats "roped off". I need some rope... should have taken it. We sat there for two hours and no one ever showed up for those seats!

I agree if the chair is empty (just has a bag or something tied to it) it is not their seat!

[Mudder]

The comical part about the saved chairs at Lake Sumter yesterday was that someone hooked about 12 chairs together, then put a sign or two on them with their name and date and said reserved! We LOL at that, they were there at about11:30 am as we're many others marked off with grocery bags, etc... I wanted to rip them all apart. I just can't wrap my head around the selfishness and arrogance of the seat savers.

[Ooper]

Just curious how people can save chairs at 11:30 AM when the entertainment department doesn't bring them out until 4:00 pm.

[rubicon]

Just because someone says it so doesn't mean it is. At function such as this it is always first come first served. If someone wants certain seats badly enough well then they better make it there first.

One of the problems is there never seems o be any one around with authority. If you wish to be intimidated by chair savers then shame on you. In my view if the seat is empty its mine

[ROCKETMAN]

Roping off chairs and then leaving should be a no no. However if my wife and i get there at 4 30 and save 8 seats for people cominh at 5 00 and we sit there all the time, that should not be a problem. Bringing your own chairs is the best solution if you don't want to get there early.

[memason]

Just curious how people can save chairs at 11:30 AM when the entertainment department doesn't bring them out until 4:00 pm.

BINGO! My thought exactly...

[Kahuna32162]

I suggested that chairs be checked out to individuals with a villages ID, and not be first come first grab. What would happen if a VCDD person collected all items from un attended chairs and put them in a central area to be claimed by their owners later. As a last resort, restrict access to the chairs or the square until an hour before the show. If there are no rules, we really can't complain about the whole issue.

[CFrance]

Actually, if enough people complained directly to the head of the entertainment department, maybe they would do something about it--unless, of course, they elect to pass the buck.

Keep in mind that the squares are open to the general public, and there is no justification to restricting chairs to persons with TV I.D.s. They just should figure out a way to stop the seat saving. I like the idea of everyone but the disabled having to bring his own chair.

[Ooper]

I suggested that chairs be checked out to individuals with a villages ID, and not be first come first grab. As a last resort, restrict access to the chairs or the square until an hour before the show.

One forgets that the squares are for public use. The entertainment is paid for by the vendors and merchants around the square that The Villages residents AND the public support by buying their products. To restrict the public from using all the facilities at the squares would not make these merchants very happy as I'm sure they would lose a large portion of their business. Access to the chairs IS restricted to an hour before the show because they are not brought out until then. Hard to reserve a chair that does not yet exist.

[Kahuna32162]

well, yesterday at 2p, all the chairs were out at LSL. That's approx 3 hours before the entertainment. I have also noticed that the chairs at SS are always out, just stacked up along the back walls.

[jhrc4]

One forgets that the squares are for public use. The entertainment is paid for by the vendors and merchants around the square that The Villages residents AND the public support by buying their products. To restrict the public from using all the facilities at the squares would not make these merchants very happy as I'm sure they would lose a large portion of their business. Access to the chairs IS restricted to an hour before the show because they are not brought out until then. Hard to reserve a chair that does not yet exist.

Look the live Video " Clearly " showed that the cushions were on the chairs and one area roped off. I'm surprised you didn't say " Alleged ".

This is a on going problem. I thought that Community Watch had this under control but it has not. It will end up in Altercations sooner or later. The chairs are there and a bunch of people that are, Ignorant, Selfish, Self Centered, and could care less about others. A good ole fashion Blanket Party would sort this out....Real Quick !

[jhrc4]

well, yesterday at 2p, all the chairs were out at LSL. That's approx 3 hours before the entertainment. I have also noticed that the chairs at SS are always out, just stacked up along the back walls.

I agree with you, individuals who defended this practice are self centered, Ignorant, " Morons ", who obviously got picked on when they were growing up. ZERO MANNERS !

[manaboutown]

No saving chairs is one of the pet peavey items I add to my yearly survey. Just update the signs, no smoking in square and no saving chairs.

I would think you could have a situation of "chair rage" someday...

:agree::clap2::clap2::clap2:

[ahayward65]

I was at SS about 2 weeks ago when Rocky was playing. I was just appalled at all the seats that were being saved at 230pm. There was 2 long rows of about 8-10 chairs each with a green cord attached thru them all. Many cushions, hats, signs also besides the most ridiculous idea of stuffing a plastic grocery bag in the backside. There were MANY of those. I would say that over half of the space had been reserved. I wanted to take them all off but did not do it. Next time I see this I am going to sit in the chair until they arrive!

[Mudder]

The chairs are out all the time at Spanish Springs and Lake Sumter. People are always sitting out at SS enjoying coffee in morning, etc.... I think maybe at Brownwood they are put out at 4:30.

[CFrance]

I was at SS about 2 weeks ago when Rocky was playing. I was just appalled at all the seats that were being saved at 230pm. There was 2 long rows of about 8-10 chairs each with a green cord attached thru them all. Many cushions, hats, signs also besides the most ridiculous idea of stuffing a plastic grocery bag in the backside. There were MANY of those. I would say that over half of the space had been reserved. I wanted to take them all off but did not do it. Next time I see this I am going to sit in the chair until they arrive!

I wish you had!:clap2: Better than sitting in the chair until they arrive and having an altercation ensue, just unhook whatever's holding them together and help yourself to a chair. I would suggest putting it in another spot, though.:throwtomatoes:

[applesoffh]

My husband and I just stopped going to the squares at night. For the "friendliest hometown" there are some mighty big attitudes and lousy manners out there, and these are not younger people from outside...they are Villagers.

[Indydealmaker]

My husband and I just stopped going to the squares at night. For the "friendliest hometown" there are some mighty big attitudes and lousy manners out there, and these are not younger people from outside...they are Villagers.

Misplaced and unearned sense of entitlement.

[Ooper]

Look the live Video " Clearly " showed that the cushions were on the chairs and one area roped off. I'm surprised you didn't say " Alleged ".

I'm with you folks. I think saving chairs IS self centered and ignorant. But I don't understand where you want me to insert the word "alleged". I work at LSL as a vendor on Tues and Thurs evenings. I get there to set up at 3:30. I'm sorry but the chairs everybody is talking about don't get there till 4 pm when the maintenance staff delivers them on 4-wheelers and trailers. There are no chairs set up when I get there. The roped off area is to keep a space on the dance floor so the people don't set their chairs up there, usually in the rear of the stage, leaving room for more dancers.

[onslowe]

I agree with Indy. It's a social cancer. "If you snooze, you lose" attitude taken to extremes of uncivil behavior.

Unless a dedicated group of Villagers actually got together and arrived at a set time at the Squares and as a group removed these arrogant items and stayed there as a group, nothing is going to happen here. We're preaching to the choir, folks.

Now, if somehow before the build out, the powers that be find evidence of TV'ers telling outsiders (prospective buyers) of the unchecked unfriendliness and rudeness of Florida's friendliest townspeople maybe a real effort will be made to end this piggish selfishness.

The population is too big now for these venues to continue this way. The merchants don't care and won't themselves stop the seat saving. Didn't this come up several months ago? Wasn't it then put to bed by the events staff removing the attempted 'seat saving items' and ropes etc? What happened? Did they just stop?

[gomoho]

Phew - glad I'm just in it for the golf.

[jhrc4]

I'm with you folks. I think saving chairs IS self centered and ignorant. But I don't understand where you want me to insert the word "alleged". I work at LSL as a vendor on Tues and Thurs evenings. I get there to set up at 3:30. I'm sorry but the chairs everybody is talking about don't get there till 4 pm when the maintenance staff delivers them on 4-wheelers and trailers. There are no chairs set up when I get there. The roped off area is to keep a space on the dance floor so the people don't set their chairs up there, usually in the rear of the stage, leaving room for more dancers.

I said " Alleged " simply because when someone is or a group is " Accused " here in the USA we have to be ...." Innocent " until " Proven " Guilty even though the camera shows everything is there the Judge say's how do you plead " Not Guilty " hence " Alleged ". This chair saving crap is totally out of control especially at Spanish Springs. Sumter is much more shall I say Civilized. A Blanket Party as I mentioned would sort this out real quick !!

[jhrc4]

I agree with Indy. It's a social cancer. "If you snooze, you lose" attitude taken to extremes of uncivil behavior.

Unless a dedicated group of Villagers actually got together and arrived at a set time at the Squares and as a group removed these arrogant items and stayed there as a group, nothing is going to happen here. We're preaching to the choir, folks.

Now, if somehow before the build out, the powers that be find evidence of TV'ers telling outsiders (prospective buyers) of the unchecked unfriendliness and rudeness of Florida's friendliest townspeople maybe a real effort will be made to end this piggish selfishness.

The population is too big now for these venues to continue this way. The merchants don't care and won't themselves stop the seat saving. Didn't this come up several months ago? Wasn't it then put to bed by the events staff removing the attempted 'seat saving items' and ropes etc? What happened? Did they just stop?

I agree with this response sometimes, ya learn " It's the easy way "... then.. hey ... unfortunately ya learn " The hard way " time to take action folks . I'm In.. Ba Bye Cushions, Ropes, La de Da , The Honeymoon is OVER !!!

[jhrc4]

Look at it this way Chair Savors , you had a really good Run . Yes their were complainers, which you smiled and shrugged off, but hey you could take it. Right? After all.

You were part of a group that had the right signals, a nod a , wink , hey you were a " Chair Savoir ", perhaps an ally with the " Line " Zombie Dancers, .? Who Knows ?
Be on your little ole toes we are going to take the Squares Back !!

I say Down with Chair saving, and down with 90% Line Dancing !! UNITE !!

[Doro22]

They save seats at workout classes too. And at the gym on bikes for several other people. Good Grief! Are these people 13 yrs old or something? How ridiculous!

[VT2TV]

Saving chairs is one of my BIG pet peeves!!!!!!!! My husband and I have all but quit going to the squares for the music and the special events because of all the hassle, and rudeness. We were at SS one day with friends who have a disabled adult child to watch the German parade. We tried to find a seat near the stage, but all were "saved". So we went over to the area on the street blocked off for the parade. We started talking to several people and found out that a big group of people had some of the "reserved" over near the stage, and had also brought some cheap lawn chairs that they sat up om the street. So not only were they saving a seat, but they were now taking up more space and blocking some people from viewing the parade. They seemed nice at first, but when the parade got close, they kept getting in front of my friends son, not caring that he wouldn't be able to see. I moved him up a bit, and they then moved their chairs right in front of him again. I just thought it was so mean of them to be taking up 2 spaces, and then knowing put themselves in front of a person in a wheelchair. The only fair way to do it is to make everyone bring their own chairs, and not allow saving. That would also eliminate the problem of people taking your seat when you get up to dance or get a drink. I also have my doubts about how much money non villagers actually spent in the shops. Even on market night, I never see many people walking around with shopping bags, so I wonder if anyone has actually done a study to see how many sells they have in the evening verses daytime . Just saying....

[Wing-nut2]

I think they should remove all the chairs. That will stop the saving. Make it BYOC!

[graciegirl]

If you are the kind of person that would not save chairs, you are the kind of person that would NOT take things off of chairs in order to sit on them.


There is a huge geographic difference in our attitudes and upbringing.


I don't know why there aren't signs posted, no chair saving, BUT then that means staff would have to have some kind of altercation with those people who would do it anyway.


Carrying chairs there, even light weight ones is increasingly difficult as age sets in.


I stopped going to exercise class when I would go in and take a place, not marked in any way and be told that was THEIR place by a person coming in later.


At art class, I would arrive and find a place to be told also by a late arriver that that table was theirs.


It makes me angry and it makes me frustrated and frankly it baffles me.

[LndLocked]

I was once told at a yoga class that I was in "their" spot ..... I simply said "not today"

[nyclicker]

If I get to the square before the entertainment begins and the only chairs available are tied together with rope or grocery bags I just remove those items and put them in the scrubs nearby. Then relocate the chair with me in it. Even if someone pointed you out just deny it. No saving chairs if no one in the party is there.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Just bring a squeeze bottle of Honey with you next time you go to find a seat! That should be a good show.

[jhrc4]

:coolsmiley:Just bring a squeeze bottle of Honey with you next time you go to find a seat! That should be a good show.

Totally Brilliant Idea !! Love It...You must be a practical joker :a040:

[BobnBev]

Just bring a squeeze bottle of Honey with you next time you go to find a seat! That should be a good show.

Best solution so far!!!!:boxing2::evil6:

[ahayward65]

I was once told at a yoga class that I was in "their" spot ..... I simply said "not today"

Love that quote, it is the only thing that will stop those kind of people!

[maureenod]

Seats at the squares should be for villages residents and their guests during peak winter times. Village ID should be plainly visible, so it can be checked easily. Why should outsiders come in and take seats and residents have none. JMO

[NoMoSno]

Seats at the squares should be for villages residents and their guests during peak winter times. Village ID should be plainly visible, so it can be checked easily. Why should outsiders come in and take seats and residents have none. JMO

Because the squares are open to the public, as are all the roads, stores and restaurants.

[graciegirl]

Because the squares are open to the public, as are all the roads, stores and restaurants.



That is so true. The squares are open to all. That is a good thing.


I don't think anything can help with the seat saving everywhere. I just wait until the population drops and go to art class, exercise class and to the squares.


But the attitude of me first, and winning through intimidation makes my blood boil.


Sometime us non confrontational ones will figure out how to handle this without sinking to their level.


If we put honey on the seats than the staff would have to clean it up. Not fair.

[adeleb]

At every grammar school show for years first few rows were saved saved in auditorium by some moms at lunchtime for 7 pm show. One person saving twenty seats by putting clothes,paper or tissues on them .

Swore I would never enable anyone in thinking this is in any way recognized.you would be surprised how empowering it is to cut the rope/ tip the clothes and tissues off and sit yourself down.

Only a behind saves a seat. The only way to stop saving is to ignore it and sit down!

[maureenod]

Yes, the squares are open to the public but I still think the chairs should first go to the residents outsiders should bring their own chairs.

[NoMoSno]

Yes, the squares are open to the public but I still think the chairs should first go to the residents outsiders should bring their own chairs.

Why? Amenities do not pay for chairs.
I don't think the seat saving is being done by "outsiders" (JMHO)...

[Steve & Deanna]

We bought our own chairs before and tied them together with an inexpensive jacket. Not sure if that can be done anymore but that's been our solution and friends too.