What happened at Spanish Springs?

[SABRMnLgs]

What was going on last night 27th at Spanish Springs Town Square? I was absolutely appalled! My two little granddaughters dropped by for an overniter and wanted to go see Scooter.
We got there about 4pm as we know how crowded it can get and hard to find seats.
BUT ............................... even getting there at 4PM there were a bunch of cushions sitting on the chairs in the front row Not just a couple but probably 20-30 lining up two entire sections of chairs. And not one person sitting in any of them. I do not know who perpetrated this and why no one has said anything. I really can understand saving a seat or two for friends but 20-30?????
And .................. that wasn't the topper. I kept an eye on that section
until about 7:30-8:00. Still not one person sitting in those sections except for one guy with a crew cut, white shirt and a cup of beer.
As many people who were at the square and 30 seats unoccupied because someone put cushions down (wonder when they got there with the cushions?)
Who would one complain to about this type of behavior?? This really bugged me all night!

:cus:

[chelsea24]

Well, SAB, you're a nicer person than I am because I would have plopped a couple of those cushions on the ground and sat down on the chairs. But that's just me.

It's not from the book "How to Make Friends and Influence People." :laugh:

[captain1202]

Chels, I agree! It's first come first serve and if you snooze you lose. If you want to save a seat, sit in it!

[Cajungirl]

[SIZE="5"]People!!! It hasn't been "first come first serve" since I've been observing for nearly one year now. Knowing the way the game is played, I attempted to play the game when my family visited over Thanksgiving. We, too, wanted to go to Scooter DJ to watch line dancing. I went early a.m. selected four chairs and put bungee cords thru them. When we arrived well before 5 P.M. the cords had been removed and put under the chairs. There was a man fitting your description "crew cut, etc" walking up and down and introduced himself as "The General". Apparently he has been self appointed as the overseer of the Spanish Springs Town Square chairs. His comment was "you can't tie the chairs with rope or bungee cords. I made a comment (a little too loud) about "oh, of course, another village rule. We now have bungee police". One of his croonies sitting close by made the comment that he wouldn't have a wife like me. He would shoot me first. Because my grandson was sitting next to me, I let the thing drop. But my evening was ruined. A couple of days later, we went to watch lighting of the tree and sat across from these people. From observation, I demised that bungee cords weren't the issue but rather the location of the seats. This same man had saved approx. 15 chairs in the same mentioned section for his people. Apparently, we had plopped our seats where he usually sits and I had arrived to save my chairs earlier than he did. So.......all this to say. How do you end this? I, too, believe it should be "first come, first served" but it isn't. How do we stop this?

[graciegirl]

Hmm. These emails need to be sent to the entertainment directors of TV. I think it is a very valid concern. Apparently boorish crew cut T shirt man needs a little redirection. I hate to hear about things like that. I am sure that there is a way to stop this.

I agree, first come, first served. It would be the same as someone trying to save a parking place on or near the square by placing a cone there.

Sometimes peoples' behavior is so disappointing and so selfish.

I wish we could go as a group from TOTV and kinda "throw our weight around". Chelsea has the right idea!!!

[Russ_Boston]

Holy crap, what is this High School? Silly, Silly, Silly is all I can say. Saving chairs with cords and cushions? You know what - go right ahead. If you do that you're the ones who look like fools.

I can see setting up some (a few) chairs for people that are coming and politely telling others that they are occupied as long as your guests show up at a reasonable time. But to save seats and take up space for quests that don't show up at/near 5PM is just plain rude. Let the rude people live with their actions if they are comfortable being that type of person. Life is too short!

[Skip]

there were a bunch of cushions sitting on the chairs in the front row Not just a couple but probably 20-30 lining up two entire sections of chairs. And not one person sitting in any of them.

So? Two of those cushions were ours. We were across the way chatting with our friends for a while, then we stood in line for a hot dog, then we went over and stood in line to get drinks at the Booze Hut, then we danced about 8 songs straight.

If there are 100 people dancing, there will probably be 100 empty seats, no? You can't be sitting in your seat and dancing too. Are the chairs for non-dancers only? That's news to me!

Skip

[graciegirl]

I find that hard to figure out too.

How do you know if someone was sitting there if they are up dancing?:pepper2:

[chelsea24]

So? Two of those cushions were ours. We were across the way chatting with our friends for a while, then we stood in line for a hot dog, then we went over and stood in line to get drinks at the Booze Hut, then we danced about 8 songs straight.

If there are 100 people dancing, there will probably be 100 empty seats, no? You can't be sitting in your seat and dancing too. Are the chairs for non-dancers only? That's news to me!

Skip

Excuse me, but if you read the original post, the complaint was not about 2 or 3 cushions. It was about 20-30 cushions in a row. And that is simply unacceptable. Also, he watched and the cushions were still not filled. Dancers will take a break and sit down every now and then. Even 8 songs does not take 2 or 3 hours to dance. You're comparing apples and oranges.;)

[TallerTrees]

LOL Make a New Year's resolution folks -- Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

[Russ_Boston]

Skip - No one has issues with people dancing and their chairs being unoccupied.

I agree with Tall Trees!

[SABRMnLgs]

I was NOT speaking about a couple of chairs. I stated there were 20-30 chairs. Ane they did remain empty from 4PM (when we arrived) until at least
7:30 (when we left). It was not get up and do a couple dances and sit down. No one and I did watch this as we sat over by the Xmas tree. No one sat in those chairs AT ALL for at least 3 1/2 hours. Wonder what would happen if someone outfoxed the fox and tied up those chairs earlier. But then again two wrongs do not make a right.
Someone needs to report this but to whom?

[sandybill2]

This isn't a new thing. We have lived in The Villages for a year and have seen this numerous times. We talked to one of the line dancers and she told us that someone goes over to the Square as soon as the chairs are there and set up the front row for the "regulars." We learned to take our own chairs but usually don't have to use them except when Scooter is there or Rocky and the Rollers. We were there a week or so ago to see Scooter and observed four chairs with cushions that were unoccupied from 5:00 until around 7:00--we watched the people arrive--they were not there prior to 7:00 as they came in with their cooler, etc at 7:00. (During this 2 hours there were lots and lots of people searching for a place to sit) Don't think there is anything to do about this--just take your own chairs. I agree life is too short to sweat the small stuff.

[Whalen]

Well, SAB, you're a nicer person than I am because I would have plopped a couple of those cushions on the ground and sat down on the chairs. But that's just me.

It's not from the book "How to Make Friends and Influence People." :laugh:

And when crew cut man says these seats are "taken" tell him not to worry I'll get up when you friends get back.:evil6:

[Midge538]

" We were: chatting with our friends, then we stood in line for a hot dog, then we stood in line to get drinks, then we danced 8 songs straight."

Then why bother to take up front row chairs from your neighbors?

[collie1228]

Anyone who has ever taken a cruise will recognize that "chair hogs" exist everywhere, and even the cruise lines, who have pretty much figured everything out, can't seem to deal with them. Around the pools on the cruise ships, people come out before 8:00AM and put books and towels on "their" chairs, then they may or may not bother to come back during the day. Maybe we do :cus:need chair police! I try to never sweat the small stuff, but the behavior of the chair hogs just gets to me, as it seems to get to many of the TOTVr's.

[diskman]

And when crew cut man says these seats are "taken" tell him not to worry I'll get up when you friends get back.:evil6:

I LIKE YOUR SOLUTION!:bowdown:

[F16 1UB]

[QUOTE=collie1228;179654]Anyone who has ever taken a cruise will recognize that "chair hogs" exist everywhere


LOL!!! As soon as I saw this thread I thought the same thing. :cus: it. Right now unoccupied chairs at an event doesn't seem to concern me.

You ever seen a rock concert or NASCAR race? Rarely are seats occupied. But I don't remember who told me. :beer3:

F16

[JoC]

I've been to many music festivals where people are up and down from their seats a lot. The unwritten rule is that if a chair (brought by the owner) is unoccupied you may sit in it until you're asked to move by the owner. This seems to work out well. I wonder what would happen if we did it here in the cushioned seats. Unless someone like the guy you mentioned gets very officious, I think it would work.

[rshoffer]

This isn't a new thing. We have lived in The Villages for a year and have seen this numerous times. We talked to one of the line dancers and she told us that someone goes over to the Square as soon as the chairs are there and set up the front row for the "regulars." We learned to take our own chairs but usually don't have to use them except when Scooter is there or Rocky and the Rollers. We were there a week or so ago to see Scooter and observed four chairs with cushions that were unoccupied from 5:00 until around 7:00--we watched the people arrive--they were not there prior to 7:00 as they came in with their cooler, etc at 7:00. (During this 2 hours there were lots and lots of people searching for a place to sit) Don't think there is anything to do about this--just take your own chairs. I agree life is too short to sweat the small stuff. "THE REGULARS".... yes, there is an "in-crowd" at LSL.. 'THE REGULARS".... who consider themselves God's gift to line dancing"... DO NOT get in their line or ask for instructions unless you want an eye-roll, a deep sigh and a "puhleeese.... this is NOT the place for instruction.... (can't you see we're experts)"... it's pretty comical. Maybe they are on the payroll or something.

[Talk Host]

"THE REGULARS".... yes, there is an "in-crowd" at LSL.. 'THE REGULARS".... who consider themselves God's gift to line dancing"... DO NOT get in their line or ask for instructions unless you want an eye-roll, a deep sigh and a "puhleeese.... this is NOT the place for instruction.... (can't you see we're experts)"... it's pretty comical. Maybe they are on the payroll or something.

I have watched them. I think they are pretty funny. I'll bet they would try to line dance to The Star Spangled Banner.:a20:

[graciegirl]

I am jealous of that group of line dancers. They are good and they know they are good. I would never attempt to join the likes of them. I can't chew gum and walk at the same time. I can dance a little but NOT like them. I guess everyone has a right to gloat about their own successes.

Sometime please come over and try my cherry pie.

[kwachowski]

There is no saving seats at any of the squares unless someone is sitting there to monitor the seats. Lets grow up!! If you want to see a show then come early and sit in your seat like the rest of us. I would have taken the cushions off and stacked them up on the ground. :pepper2:

[bsliny]

Isn't this an adult community I can't believe anyone can be that RUDE
Reserving seats give me a break if you want the seat get there on time
RUDE RUDE RUDE IF i saw the cushions on the seats they waould be on the floor

[The Great Fumar]

Well, SAB, you're a nicer person than I am because I would have plopped a couple of those cushions on the ground and sat down on the chairs. But that's just me.

It's not from the book "How to Make Friends and Influence People." :laugh:

Listen to Chelsea's Qoute , She is right ,

DALE CARNIGIE ONCE PUNCHED HER RIGHT IN THE MOUTH !!!!

fumar

[chelsea24]

Listen to Chelsea's Qoute , She is right ,

DALE CARNIGIE ONCE PUNCHED HER RIGHT IN THE MOUTH !!!!

fumar


http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm63/chelsea24_photos/Jeannie.gif

Yes, Fumar, I should've ducked! He was aiming at you! ;):laugh:

[Peggy D]

I'm shocked.

So much for Americas Friendly Hometown!!

Russ is right, it sounds like high school stuff.

I wonder what would happen if anyone sat in those "saved" seats? Mr Crew Cut Man would have to remove me--and THAT would be a problem!!!

[SABRMnLgs]

Is it not odd that there are at present over 1200 people who have read these posts and not one (except Skip) has offered up a rebuttal? I find that invigorating!

[Russ_Boston]

Jerry - I think that is because when you see something in writing you might realize that it is idiotic. Heck it's idiotic to waste my time reading about it and commenting on it.

I was trying to explain this phenomenon to a work friend who is interested in, but has never visited, The Villages. She asked me how far is it from the stage front to the back of the square and I pointed to a nearby wall in the office. She said "Oh, i figured that they had to be upfront because otherwise you couldn't see or hear". I explained that after you subtract the dance area the distance from the front seats to the back of the square area is relatively small. Her response: "Sounds like petty s**t to me!".

I know that it gets crowded this time of year but to resort to this makes those that do it look silly. Just my opinion.

Russ

[Skip]

Is it not odd that there are at present over 1200 people who have read these posts and not one (except Skip) has offered up a rebuttal? I find that invigorating!

I can only speak for the two chairs we occupied on and off all night. I admit, we were probably standing more than sitting - but that's what dancers do.

Most of the TOTV posters that have complained here, were not there that night. We were. I did not see anyone save 20-30 chairs in the first row as you reported. Many times visitors will come to the front row and occupy seats with cushions on them. We never chase them or say "you're in our seats". It gives us a chance to chat with visitors and ask what they think of our "Friendliest Hometown". We like front row seats because we get up to dance frequently and if we sat in the 4th row - 8 seats in, we'd have to climb over people many times a night to get out. That annoys others more than anything.

I also know that the entertainment department gets complaints like this frequently. They will just shrug their shoulders and say they can't police this and really don't care. They won't do anything that will hurt their bar and hot dog business.

They have thousands and thousands of complaints about happy hour being 1 hour shorter at LSL than SPS. They will do nothing about it!

Skip

[aln]

I'm sure the Entertainment department is very tired of hearing of these types of complaints.

Be carefull what you're looking for people.

The next thing you know is THERE'LL BE NO CHAIRS !

How would everybody like to bring their own?

Don't get me wrong; I don't condone saving chairs but I'm sure cooler heads can prevail ... chilout

[kencam]

What was going on last night 27th at Spanish Springs Town Square? I was absolutely appalled! My two little granddaughters dropped by for an overniter and wanted to go see Scooter.
We got there about 4pm as we know how crowded it can get and hard to find seats.
BUT ............................... even getting there at 4PM there were a bunch of cushions sitting on the chairs in the front row Not just a couple but probably 20-30 lining up two entire sections of chairs. And not one person sitting in any of them. I do not know who perpetrated this and why no one has said anything. I really can understand saving a seat or two for friends but 20-30?????
And .................. that wasn't the topper. I kept an eye on that section
until about 7:30-8:00. Still not one person sitting in those sections except for one guy with a crew cut, white shirt and a cup of beer.
As many people who were at the square and 30 seats unoccupied because someone put cushions down (wonder when they got there with the cushions?)
Who would one complain to about this type of behavior?? This really bugged me all night!

:cus:


Not the first time it's happened and I'm sure not the last. At least once before, the people put the pads down and went to dinner, returning around 6:30. Takes a lot of whatever to pull that off, and in one case I know of the pads were stacked up on one chair in order to free up the chairs that were not occupied. It's getting to the point, (when Scooters here) that some kind of authority should step in to insure the "squares are fair". Guess that would be the Event Staff, (good luck with that one). Kencam

[Hawkwind]

SABRM

You stated that there were a large number of chairs already set up. Now my question is did ALL of the chairs have cushions or just a few? Also were the chairs already set up when you arrived or did you see someone set them up and then walk away?

Was there some other activity at the square that used the chairs earlier in the day and only a few people left their cushions as they maybe went to get a bite to eat?

My take would be that the chairs were set up for another activity and most of those people left before you arrived. The chairs with cushions were going to be used but the owners were elsewhere. The unoccupied chairs could have been used after a reasonable time.

[Skip]

I'm sure the Entertainment department is very tired of hearing of these types of complaints.
Be carefull what you're looking for, people.
The next thing you know is THERE'LL BE NO CHAIRS !


You got that right!

Crew cut guy? That's "Mr. Wiggles".

Skip

[Bryan]

Most Villagers are mature. If some "rules" or guidelines were clearly posted, I am sure we could self police ourselves. The problem is the Entertainment Department won't even go so far as to put up some guidelines on saving chairs. As far as I am concerned, a chair empty at one band break and still empty at the next band break is a chair abandoned and up for grabs - first come, first served. Before an event starts, chairs unoccupied for over 30 minutes are up for grabs - first come, first served.

[Peggy D]

Most Villagers are mature. If some "rules" or guidelines were clearly posted, I am sure we could self police ourselves. The problem is the Entertainment Department won't even go so far as to put up some guidelines on saving chairs. As far as I am concerned, a chair empty at one band break and still empty at the next band break is a chair abandoned and up for grabs - first come, first served. Before an event starts, chairs unoccupied for over 30 minutes are up for grabs - first come, first served.

That sounds like a reasonable rule to me. I feel its unfair to plop down a chair cushion to reserve a chair and not use it all night. I also think its
unfair to reserve 30 chairs at one time.

Where do the handicap sit? Those with walkers? I would think it would be much easier for them to sit in the front row. Do they not come to the squares?

The Entertainment Dept doesn't need to police this. The Villagers don't need to tolerate this behavior either. You're not in the seat in a resonable amount of time--its mine!!!

[cmj]

Anyone who has ever taken a cruise will recognize that "chair hogs" exist everywhere, and even the cruise lines, who have pretty much figured everything out, can't seem to deal with them. Around the pools on the cruise ships, people come out before 8:00AM and put books and towels on "their" chairs, then they may or may not bother to come back during the day. Maybe we do :cus:need chair police! I try to never sweat the small stuff, but the behavior of the chair hogs just gets to me, as it seems to get to many of the TOTVr's.

We go to a resort in the Dominican Republic that does have a chair policeman! There are signs (and a flyer given to guests upon check-in) that state you may not save lounge chairs by placing towels, person items, books, magazines, etc. on them prior to the 8 am opening of the pool. If you do, the items will be taken off of the chairs and put at the "towel hut" where that you can re-claim them. It was a hoot to watch people come and put a shoe, a magazine, a towel, a noodle, the other shoe on chairs and then walk away only to have the chair-man come pick everything up and take it away. An hour or so later the "savers" would come strolling back and ask the people now sitting in "their" chairs where their stuff was. It was a little daily soap opera.

I always wonder about people who save a lounge chair in the pool area and another chair somewhere else. Then there are the people who save lounge chairs for children who never sit on them because they're playing in the water. I've also seen people turn a group of lounge chairs on their sides and clip towels on them so their kids can play out of the sun. Four people, eight lounge chairs.

We learned early on about the folks who "save" groups of chairs at the squares. No, I don't mean a couple who get there and put something on their seats while they dance. I mean people who "save" for their neighborhood. To me, it's "entitlement." (What is a "regular"? For Pete's sake!) It's "I'm more important." It's "my needs come first." It's junior high. (Remember the kids who stretched out their arms to save places in the cafeteria?) It cliquey. People know that most of the time other people won't call them on it. Ignorance is bliss. Feigned ignorance is about the same. To me, it's just evidence of bad manners. Remember learning to share.... like when you were in kindergarten?

If I'm not mistaken, there have been activities cancelled by TV powers that be because of people "camping out" at the squares with folding tables and chairs; arriving at noon for a 5:00 start. New Year's Eve festivities, if I recall.

[Russ_Boston]

CMJ - You shouldn't be posting on this site.


You make too much sense!

:eclipsee_gold_cup: