Economic Reality

[zonerboy]

The Villages is a densely populated, rapidly growing community of mostly retired people which is located in a relatively isolated part of central Florida. By isolated, I mean we are not adjacent to any major metropolitan area such as Orlando.
So where are we supposed to obtain a seemingly never ending supply of low end wage earners (such as restaurant workers, store clerks, etc.) to service our demands??? Characteristic of most retired seniors, we want it goog, we want it now, and we want it cheap.
I think the number of recent post complaining about slow or poor restaurant service is evidence of this problem. And it's only going to get worse as we continue to grow. How we are going to adequately staff new establishments, such as in Brownwood, is worrisome to me.
Any comments?

[njbchbum]

oh boy, howdy!

my guess is that there are lots of local folks willing to work the restaurants, grocery stores, retail shops, etc - but they just are not willing to accept low end wages for serving your demands. demands! yikes!

[LI SNOWBIRD]

The Villages is a densely populated, rapidly growing community of mostly retired people which is located in a relatively isolated part of central Florida. By isolated, I mean we are not adjacent to any major metropolitan area such as Orlando.
So where are we supposed to obtain a seemingly never ending supply of low end wage earners (such as restaurant workers, store clerks, etc.) to service our demands??? Characteristic of most retired seniors, we want it goog, we want it now, and we want it cheap.
I think the number of recent post complaining about slow or poor restaurant service is evidence of this problem. And it's only going to get worse as we continue to grow. How we are going to adequately staff new establishments, such as in Brownwood, is worrisome to me.
Any comments?

"Characteristic of most retired seniors, we want it goog, we want it now, and we want it cheap"-- sorry I don't know what "goog" is please enlighten.

[zonerboy]

This is made worse by the fact that many businesses only want part time employees, so they don't have to pay benefits.
How much income do you have being on welfare, versus how much income with a part time minimum wage job?

[zonerboy]

Sorry, typo....
Goog means good.

[graciegirl]

One of the draws to working here is the good charter schools we have that are made available to the people who work in The Villages.

I am very grateful for the people who work here and appreciate what they do.

[mulligan]

One of the developers I worked for in southern FL had a phrase he used when hiring sub-contractors that I think applies here in many ways. "Good, Fast, Cheap----Pick 2". Food for thought??

[redwitch]

zoner, you have some valid points. My daughter is one of those servers. Some villagers treat the workers here wonderfully, some basically abuse them. I can't say I've really heard of any local employers truly treating their unskilled labor fairly. As you mentioned, part-time, no benefits. Sadly, this is industry- and nation-wide for restaurants and stores. It is not just a local issue.

There is still a large pool of potential employees in this area -- lots of unemployment in neighboring communities. Some will do a great job and be happy to be working. Some will have an attitude, some will be truly incompetent. Pretty typical.

No question the charter schools are a great draw. Unfortunately, they are filling up. Right now, the high school is limiting students to those parents who work for TV or on TV property. That means the strips (think non-Citizens First banks, chain restaurants not in the squares, etc.) on 466A, 466, 441 are no longer eligible and those students presently attending the high school will have to transfer to other schools in their respective communities. This does not bode well for finding good, dedicated employees for the new restaurants, etc.

So, will we end up with no one to take care of our needs? Probably not. Will we get the best there is? Probably not -- heck, probably not even close. But I do believe our needs will be met.

[rubicon]

I worked in Human Resources and one of our duties was to compare the prevailing community wage and benefits.

As predictable the big boys on the block set the standards. So look to see who or what has a command of the community you live in. Secondly look at the type of occupations available along with educational/experience requirements. Now look at the available workforce.

One of the problems concerning our unemployment issue in this country is that we have many quality/good paying jobs not being filled because there are not enough applicants who can meet the requirements.

Human Resources people do a lot of hiring and I can attest to the fact that when an applicant is not qualified but begs you to give them a chance because they will grow into the job...they won't.

Bottom line the big employers set the pace.

[janmcn]

This trend will probably continue as the economy improves and the unemployment rate goes down. Young people may have to relocate, but hopefully will be able to find higher paying jobs with benefits.

Perhaps more seniors will have to step out of retirement and take these low paying, no benefit jobs in the service industries. Your next server could be your next door neighbor.

[graciegirl]

This trend will probably continue as the economy improves and the unemployment rate goes down. Young people may have to relocate, but hopefully will be able to find higher paying jobs with benefits.

Perhaps more seniors will have to step out of retirement and take these low paying, no benefit jobs in the service industries. Your next server could be your next door neighbor.


There are many sixty something servers at Bob Evans Restaurant. They do a great job.

[gomoho]

I have never been a server or hostess and think I would enjoy doing that job; however, the first geezer that started acting like a fool would get slapped upside his head so I probably should just stay retired!!!

[Barefoot]

... the first geezer that started acting like a fool would get slapped upside his head so I probably should just stay retired!!!

Gomoho, probably best you stay retired ... I think your hand might get sore from overuse. :jester:

I think Brownwood will have no problem finding staff, since Wildwood is very close by.

[rubicon]

Keep in mind tha the turnover rate in the service industry and primarily in the restaurant business is higher in comparison to other industries.

[thelegges]

i know some of the servers at bob evans go else where when high season is over

[batman911]

There are many sixty something servers at Bob Evans Restaurant. They do a great job.

I agree with you Gracie. I would thing there are lots of TV residents that would like a part time job, if they are able, to add a little income. I also like that I usually have their full attention when conducting business instead of having one eye on their cell phone as so many younger workers do.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

I don't believe poor service is exclusive just to TV. In my experience it's difficult to get "good service" at least the way it use to be 30 or more years ago almost everywhere unless you get lucky. My wife and I have found a way around poor service but I'm not saying how because if everyone does it, it won't work and we will be stuck with less than optimal service.

[graciegirl]

I think that we have unusually good service here in The Villages.

UNUSUALLY GOOD!!

Thank you to all wait staff that run and fetch it to a bunch of us old f**ts who do NOT appreciate all that you do and how well you do it.

I am sorry that you are blamed when the cooks don't show up and when they run out of the special. I am sorry that you are yelled at when the food isn't prepared to the precise liking of those who ordered it. I am sorry you are undertipped just because.

I am sorry that people forget to call you by name and to thank you when you have eight golfers all with separate checks..

[Bogie Shooter]

Have you noticed the number of apartment complex's springing up all around TV? Ever wonder who might be renting those apartments?Ten years ago there were no places for non villagers to live, that has been and is being fixed There are probably more people than we think moving to TV from said metropolitan areas.

[blue72]

I have never been a server or hostess and think I would enjoy doing that job; however, the first geezer that started acting like a fool would get slapped upside his head so I probably should just stay retired!!!

GREAT LOLLOLOLOLOLO!!!!!!!!!!!!:evil6:

[CFrance]

oh boy, howdy!

my guess is that there are lots of local folks willing to work the restaurants, grocery stores, retail shops, etc - but they just are not willing to accept low end wages for serving your demands. demands! yikes!

:agree::BigApplause:

[zonerboy]

I try to be as generous as possible with my tipping, because I suspect that waitpersons are not treated very well, either by management or by customers. They are basically overworked and underpaid, IMHO.

[mulligan]

Have you noticed the number of apartment complex's springing up all around TV? Ever wonder who might be renting those apartments?Ten years ago there were no places for non villagers to live, that has been and is being fixed There are probably more people than we think moving to TV from said metropolitan areas.

Where are the apartment complexes ???

[CFrance]

Where are the apartment complexes ???

I think there are some good-sized ones around 466A on the way to 441, and a couple more in that general vicinity around 25 (don't know the street names, but we used to pass them on the way to Preppy Pet, which is on Talley Rd.)

[jblum315]

i have noticed them. Even just 4 years ago when I bought a house in TV, there were no apartment rentals. I had to rent a house in TV to wait for my closing.

[RAB]

Don't worry about where the help will come from.....it's called amnesty, but that will not help to increase wages.

[mac6115cd]

I the available labor pool of qualified employees shrinks, then expect to pay higher prices to cover higher wages for the servers, etc. Any business that pays the lowest wages will draw the worst employees and their business will suffer. So, overall, I expect to see increasing prices for goods & services. I agree with zoner, tip well - it will help the server and if you're a regular, they'll give you better service.

[Quixote]

I think that we have unusually good service here in The Villages.

UNUSUALLY GOOD!!

Thank you to all wait staff that run and fetch it to a bunch of us old f**ts who do NOT appreciate all that you do and how well you do it.

I am sorry that you are blamed when the cooks don't show up and when they run out of the special. I am sorry that you are yelled at when the food isn't prepared to the precise liking of those who ordered it. I am sorry you are undertipped just because.

I am sorry that people forget to call you by name and to thank you when you have eight golfers all with separate checks..

I agree; I find generally very good service (and of course there are occasional exceptions)! What's unfortunate is that people are quick to complain when there's a problem (and for some, not even when there's a problem...) but are very slow when it comes to complimenting. When you get particularly good service, take the minute and let a manager or supervisor know; it means more than you can imagine.

Restaurant servers are paid the lowest of the low. I always tip generously, not with the anticipation that a server will remember me next time, but rather because the extra dollar or two means so much more to that server than it does to me.

[Barefoot]

I am sorry that people forget to call you by name and to thank you when you have eight golfers all with separate checks..

You know Gracie, that is an excellent point!! Servers in The Villages somehow manage to keep track of individual people or couples without complaint. I've never experienced that before, anywhere in North America!

[Schaumburger]

I agree; I find generally very good service (and of course there are occasional exceptions)! What's unfortunate is that people are quick to complain when there's a problem (and for some, not even when there's a problem...) but are very slow when it comes to complimenting. When you get particularly good service, take the minute and let a manager or supervisor know; it means more than you can imagine.

Restaurant servers are paid the lowest of the low. I always tip generously, not with the anticipation that a server will remember me next time, but rather because the extra dollar or two means so much more to that server than it does to me.

I'm just a wannabee...but here is my two cents...I have been to several of the restaurants in The Villages. I have some definite favorite restaurants in The Villages that I like to visit each time I return to TV. There has been only one restaurant in TV where the service was "subpar". My friends and I should have said something to the manager, but we just wanted to leave, so we didn't -- our bad. I would be willing to try this restaurant again in case it was an "off night," but since my visits in TV are short term, I would probably not return on my own unless my dining companion(s) really wanted to eat there.

And when the service is good, I am a generous tipper because there was a time right after I graduated from college when money was really tight, and an extra $10 each week meant a lot to me as tips do to restaurant servers. Off my soapbox now...

[jbdlfan]

One of my kids is currently managing a restaurant in TV. The main complaint is that when they find a good worker, they have trouble paying them a decent wage and giving that employee sufficient hours to stay. Most of the businesses are corporately owned, and in turn, are not invested in the community. I think it's just the nature of the business if you are not a "Mom and Pop" organization. But to put in perspective, they have had to fire six employees in the last two weeks for various reasons.....no show/call, stealing, bad service.

[Bogie Shooter]

Where are the apartment complexes ???

I think there are some good-sized ones around 466A on the way to 441, and a couple more in that general vicinity around 25 (don't know the street names, but we used to pass them on the way to Preppy Pet, which is on Talley Rd.)

And a new one just opening on the east side of Wildwood.

[Villages PL]

Okay, I have a great solution that everyone is going to love. Stop demanding too many services! Stop being lazy and fix your own lunch and dinner. You'll be better for it. You'll be on your feet more, which is good for your health, and, hopefully, you'll fix healthier meals.

If you're around 100 years old, I can understand that you might need to eat out. But if you're in your 60s, 70s, 80s, or even 90s, you probably could use the exercise and the home cooked meals.

You don't hire someone to play golf for you, do you? :)

:1rotfl:

[Barefoot]

Okay, I have a great solution that everyone is going to love. Stop demanding too many services! Stop being lazy and fix your own lunch and dinner. You'll be better for it. You'll be on your feet more, which is good for your health, and, hopefully, you'll fix healthier meals.
:1rotfl:

VP, I think for most of us it's the social aspect of meeting others for lunch or dinner. Nothing to do with being lazy. Of course there are other ways of getting together with friends, but "breaking bread" together is a time-honored tradition.

[graciegirl]

Okay, I have a great solution that everyone is going to love. Stop demanding too many services! Stop being lazy and fix your own lunch and dinner. You'll be better for it. You'll be on your feet more, which is good for your health, and, hopefully, you'll fix healthier meals.

If you're around 100 years old, I can understand that you might need to eat out. But if you're in your 60s, 70s, 80s, or even 90s, you probably could use the exercise and the home cooked meals.

You don't hire someone to play golf for you, do you? :)

:1rotfl:

I cook. I have done it for a LONG time. I cook easily and with no thought and not much effort. I think that what you have said has a lot of merit BUT not everyone knows how to cook, not even people who are hired to do so apparently...or we are obsessed with food on this forum.

I often think how lucky I am to know how to cook. I can fix yummy stuff for us so easily. And thus I don't have to complain much about the restaurant foods.

BUT...I like the social interaction of sharing food, we have folks over a lot, but still I like to be out and about with friends too.

And I am a comfortable eater.....meaning I like pretty much everything and I am not very picky. Clean and hot and with friends and a bowl of Campbells chicken noodle becomes a feast.

AND NOW VP, you and I have sidetracked this whole thread. The topicop is gonna blow his whistle on us. Someone get this thread back on track.

[De Lis]

Never fear about where we will find help, as we are about to welcome into our country 20 Million more people. Just sayin'.

[asianthree]

If I can make it better at home than going out its a no brainier....but I suck at Asian food and pizza so out we go