Save me a Seat

[Golfingnut]

We went to see the George Carlin Show last night and loved the show. Since Rocky and the Rollers were the Square Band, we went about 5:00 pm to see them first. When we arrived at 5, there were no avail seats so we stood in one of the entry ways and enjoyed the band. At 6:30 at least half of the roped off SAVED SEATS were still empty. We stood for an hour and a half. I am not sure if I find this sad or appalling. Who are the people that feel they are so special that they have privileges above those of their neighbors? Words like Selfish, Arrogant, Ignorant, and many others come to mind. I watched as a man and a woman came to the same entry location I was at and as she stood up to her Walker, he made a circle around the square and appeared to be asking several people if the chairs were free. When he got back to his lady, they turned and walked away. :ohdear::ohdear:

[graciegirl]

I know. It is just not nice at all.

I don't think rules would change it.

There are some folks who just don't care much about others.

[paulandjean]

We went to see the George Carlin Show last night and loved the show. Since Rocky and the Rollers were the Square Band, we went about 5:00 pm to see them first. When we arrived at 5, there were no avail seats so we stood in one of the entry ways and enjoyed the band. At 6:30 at least half of the roped off SAVED SEATS were still empty. We stood for an hour and a half. I am not sure if I find this sad or appalling. Who are the people that feel they are so special that they have privileges above those of their neighbors? Words like Selfish, Arrogant, Ignorant, and many others come to mind. I watched as a man and a woman came to the same entry location I was at and as she stood up to her Walker, he made a circle around the square and appeared to be asking several people if the chairs were free. When he got back to his lady, they turned and walked away. :ohdear::ohdear:

Do not understand,Are these paid seats?

[Love2cruise]

After 10 minutes of watching those seats remain empty I would have gone and removed the rope and sat myself down. If the people who were so ignorant came to claim their seats what right would they have to complain that you were in their seats. I don't understand why someone from the villages doesn't go and unrope those seats before the music starts.

[Deerfly]

We went to see the George Carlin Show last night and loved the show. Since Rocky and the Rollers were the Square Band, we went about 5:00 pm to see them first. When we arrived at 5, there were no avail seats so we stood in one of the entry ways and enjoyed the band. At 6:30 at least half of the roped off SAVED SEATS were still empty. We stood for an hour and a half. I am not sure if I find this sad or appalling. Who are the people that feel they are so special that they have privileges above those of their neighbors? Words like Selfish, Arrogant, Ignorant, and many others come to mind. I watched as a man and a woman came to the same entry location I was at and as she stood up to her Walker, he made a circle around the square and appeared to be asking several people if the chairs were free. When he got back to his lady, they turned and walked away. :ohdear::ohdear:

I have seen this many times. About six years ago I saw two guys who were obviously over 70 duke it out over this very issue on New Years Eve. Neither appeared to have been drinking but both were sure they were right.

[paulandjean]

So I quess these are free seats. I have and I will just sit in those seats. Never even thing about it. This is not third grade,no seat saving,thats what I tell them and then just move on please,I trying to watch the show.

[BobnBev]

Paid seats????? Free seats???? Who put up the rope? Where was this?

[gomoho]

I am wondering as well - who puts up a rope and where does it come from. Surely these people aren't bringing it themselves!

[Skybo]

They are talking about the plastic chairs that are available at the squares during the entertainment hours. This frequently happens when there is a popular group playing or some other type of event that draws large crowds. Yes, people bring their own rope or other items to save seats for their friends and neighbors. That�s why, in the Brownwood thread, people were pleased that chairs were handed out one by one rather than letting someone grab as many as they wanted. This problem is more prevalent during the crowded season...at least I haven�t seen this topic pop up on TOTV for several months.

[bargee]

Sorry to say that this selfish and childish practice has been going on for years.Buy virtue of ignoring it the"Powers that be" seem to condone it.It will continue until something unplesant occurs perhaps ending in personal injurys and a law suit,only then will something be done to resolve the problem.Sadly it will affect the many people who abide by the rules and not the few who think they do not apply to them.

[buggyone]

After the show starts and there are still roped off chairs, it is entirely permissible to go and untie a couple of chairs and sit down. If there are chairs with something on them as being markers while people are dancing, leave those alone, of course.

As for anyone physically removing you - ridiculous - it does not happen.

[starflyte1]

I agree. If a chair is not occupied at 5pm, the ropes or bags come off.

[cquick]

which square was this at?

I've seen the green chairs at Spanish Springs tied together with plastic garbage bags as early as in the morning......

[scarecrow1]

I say just take the chairs from the roped off area and go somewhere else in the square and sit. They will wonder who took their chair while they were off eating in one of the restaurants.

[rp001]

How did the "duke out" of 70 somethings end?..Just curious how that works in Fl as there is a law about touching anyone over 65..It's a felony offense..I find this ridiculous as far as saving seats goes. I've seen it and every time there was one person posted as a guard. We need an official policy, and enforcement by their security...

[2BNTV]

This has happened before with no viable solution in sight. Unfortunately, some people feel they are priviledged and don't seem to care about doing the right thing.

It should be as simple as , "a fanny in seat equals reserved".

[graciegirl]

This has happened before with no viable solution in sight. Unfortunately, some people feel they are priviledged and don't seem to care about doing the right thing.

It should be as simple as , "a fanny in seat equals reserved".

I agree completely. We would have to have security redirecting people who should KNOW it isn't the right thing to do. More muss, more fuss, people are drinking, etc.etc.etc.

We should be acting like responsible and respectful adults instead of a bunch of selfish kids.

[Barefoot]

I don't understand why someone from the villages doesn't go and unrope those seats before the music starts.

I first saw this "chair saving" when we purchased in 2007. Obviously the problem still hasn't been fixed. Perhaps with the opening of Brownwood, this problem will lessen.

Residents shouldn't have to argue with each other about chairs. Someone from Villages Entertainment should check the area before entertainment begins and remove all ropes, towels, plastic bags, etc. It wouldn't take long for people to get the message "Chairs cannot be saved".

[hotrodgirl]

Perhaps TV could supply more chairs? And those of us that have portable ones could bring them in anticipation of this problem... No, saving is not acceptable behavior, but maybe some of this could be avoided with the addition of more chairs.

[gerryann]

Perhaps TV could supply more chairs? And those of us that have portable ones could bring them in anticipation of this problem... No, saving is not acceptable behavior, but maybe some of this could be avoided with the addition of more chairs.

During high season there is not enough room to put additional chairs down without taking up dance space.

[hotrodgirl]

It would seem more important to make sure everyone could be seated... dancers come and go off the dance space and so would make do with what is available. When I was there in May, none of this seemed to be problematic. However, I am moving down in Dec and have not experienced the high season. Just seems like common sense to allow people to sit comfortably. Those of us with our own chairs could also sit in the periphery. Just my opinion! To each their own.

[paulandjean]

At sports events,they pay a high price for,"Standing Room Only Section".

[Cantwaittoarrive]

I always load some comfortable folding chairs we bought from Sams in the back of my Golf cart. I have never had problems finding somewhere to set these up even in the Jan - April months. I might not be in the front row but I can hear the music and find the way to the dance area with my honey. No arguing over seats, no duking it out, no stress! I'm here to relax and have fun not to fight over seats

[Bavarian]

Sorry to say that this selfish and childish practice has been going on for years.Buy virtue of ignoring it the"Powers that be" seem to condone it.It will continue until something unplesant occurs perhaps ending in personal injurys and a law suit,only then will something be done to resolve the problem.Sadly it will affect the many people who abide by the rules and not the few who think they do not apply to them.

It is the ame everywhere. Here in SoMD the College has free concerts for 7 Fridays in Summer, bring your own chair. Always have people trying to block out large sections for their friends. My wife and I come early just to claim our space for our two chairs and small table in front.

I would have asked someone sitting in roped off section if the places were free and if they could not come up with good answer, sit down.

Just like at the Wiesn.

[Golfingnut]

Do not understand,Are these paid seats?

Yes, we all pay for it through our amenity fees.

[buggyone]

I see nothing wrong with tying a rope on a small group of chair (maybe 4 chairs) early in the day on the square AS LONG AS YOU ARE IN THE CHAIRS BY THE BEGINNING OF THE SHOW!

None of this ridiculous stuff of roping off 20 chairs and coming late.

[downeaster]

Yes, we all pay for it through our amenity fees.


I believe the entertainment at the squares is paid for by the merchants and does not come out of our amenity fees.

This has come up before and if I am in error please let us know.

[gerryann]

I see nothing wrong with tying a rope on a small group of chair (maybe 4 chairs) early in the day on the square AS LONG AS YOU ARE IN THE CHAIRS BY THE BEGINNING OF THE SHOW!

None of this ridiculous stuff of roping off 20 chairs and coming late.

I disagree...if your butts not in the chair...it's available! (The chair, not your butt) ;)

[rp001]

I disagree...if your butts not in the chair...it's available! (The chair, not your butt) ;)

I agree wholeheartily..No one should have the right to go over there in the morning,"rope off 4 chairs" and come at 5 and claim them..That's just ridiculous. What gives you that right?

[perrjojo]

I disagree...if your butts not in the chair...it's available! (The chair, not your butt) ;)
:bigbow::agree:

[graciegirl]

I wonder if it will EVER stop or just get worse. I think that those who make the decisions try NOT to make too many rules or try to be too much the cop. We are gently reminded on the golf courses to keep up the pace of play and on many of the courses I have played in my lifetime, the marshals had a LOT more authority about speeding people up or asking them to leave.

It probably is the best way to stay out of it. Sadly the intimidators will keep intimidating.

And the folks who have been taught to "play nice" will be inconvenienced and aggravated.

[buggyone]

I agree wholeheartily..No one should have the right to go over there in the morning,"rope off 4 chairs" and come at 5 and claim them..That's just ridiculous. What gives you that right?

It is not a right to do so but just is advance planning. Anyone, including you, can do that. Just arrive early to sit down in your chair before the show. I sometimes will set out my own cloth chairs earlier in the day for some shows.

At Paddock Square, it would be more difficult since the audience area is a whole lot smaller than at Lake Sumter Landing - but that is a much longer distance for me to go so it is a non-issue for me.

[CaptJohn]

Why not just take the ropes down after the ropers leave?

[Joaniesmom]

I agree. If a chair is not occupied at 5pm, the ropes or bags come off.

Ropes or bags should never have been there in the first place. As another poster said, this isn't the Third Grade.

:icon_wink:

[Joaniesmom]

I disagree...if your butts not in the chair...it's available! (The chair, not your butt) ;)

:agree: :agree: :agree:

[Golfingnut]

How about One of you tech folks do a survey on this site: I would be curious to find out what the majority think. If the majority say go for it, then I will accept that. If, as I expect, the Majority will say no to this then we know we are dealing with a selfish few and not the favored position of most.

[Deerfly]

How did the "duke out" of 70 somethings end?..Just curious how that works in Fl as there is a law about touching anyone over 65..It's a felony offense..I find this ridiculous as far as saving seats goes. I've seen it and every time there was one person posted as a guard. We need an official policy, and enforcement by their security...
It ended when nearby observers stepped between them.

[2 Oldcrabs]

Next year when survey comes out, make it known in the comment section your displeasure with seat saving. We stopped going to the Town Center restaurantes in the evening because of it. We still go for lunch. You could rope off a bunch of chairs when you have no intention of using them. When they sit empty all night, the merchants may get the message! :(