Dear Young and handsome, thank you. I gift you some of my omnipotence or perhaps instead you would enjoy some omniscience?

Well yes, you are surely opening yourself for who knows what in "backlash". The words you listed can have a very positive meaning (Yankee for instance) but we all know those terms are purposely used in a derogatory manner by many ! If you want to see really mind blowing vitriol around those terms, there is an on line "newspaper" for news in the villages. The comments section after each "article" is shocking to say the least, gives you an idea of not only what "some" residents of the villages think of "snowbirds", "Yankees", etc. but some others (who appear to live in the areas outside the villages) are very blunt about how they not only wish none of them would never come here, but wish them "vanish permanently" (?? don't like the sounds of that at all, some get quite graphic).

My opinion of your question: to me people have become much more angry, nasty, suspicious, or just much less gracious and accepting as peopled USED to be in any retirement community. I am not sure what has "caused" this, I suspect it's a variety of circumstances: influx of people entering our country illegally, fear of American citizens who come from locations, philosophies, and cultures vastly different from the once rural, laid back, very hospitable, slow paced, area here where the Villages has been built. I personally believe people have changed as a result of the Covid pandemic also. Inside the Villages, some denigrate the "groups" you named because they believe they are somehow being cheated by part time people using the amenities of the community, and, if you read the stark opinions of "some" local residents in the small communities around us, they "lump" all village residents into a group they see as wealthy (?), "uppity" "untitled" "snobs" "drunken" "elites". Not a good perception of the retired, hard working, middle class seniors who make up most of the population. To those outside, everyone here is a trust fund idiot who was head of some technology firm and now things they live in some private, guarded, elite community. You just can't change the perceptions in people's minds. Inside the Villages, you have all the resentment of permanent residents, and those who own, and float among, two or more homes. I don't think there is a single root of this, and I don't think it's going to change, "snowbird, yum, tastes like chickin" was a bumper sticker when I was a youngster in Southern Florida, nothing has changed except it has gotten much more hateful and serious. I believe the Villages only reflects what is happening nation wide: outgoing, warm, loving, kind, RESPECTFUL, accepting, caring, concerned, spiritually focused, family oriented, community supporting, happy, the words used for years to describe "Americans", is definitely changing. Notice the responses you see just on this "community bulletin board". If someone is single, or ill, or has some kind of emergency, how many people rush over to offer to mow their lawn, or fix the broken screen, or trim the branch that may be hanging over the neighbor's property ? No, the go to the nearest public forum, the "social media" to complain, but no offer of "can I help you, do you need some help with that ?". I was raised to always extend a helping hand, not criticize and judge.

Or perhaps a sneaky way to say things that are totally uncool to say in 2023?

There's already a teacher shortage in Florida. That's why the state government is offering veterans teaching positions. No qualifications necessary.

Lurking in the shadows, the all-omnipotent one has the power to INCINERATE the babbling thoughts of the lesser mortals. Walk softly and carry exquisite calves.

Finally a safe topic! 😄

Ahhhh…flattery will get you everywhere! As a result of being everywhere, you can also be gifted omnipresence!

I hear you and I’m quietly shrugging back to my troll cave on Petty Avenue. Quieter, softer. Gentler. I really should have taken that debate class. Sigh.

Basically it was my usual long-winded way of reminding people that the world changes - and its denizens should learn to adapt or become extinct. Most folks in this forum don't even know what the word pronoun MEANS. And yet they're so easily offended by someone else's pronoun choice, that they degrade them, and minimalize them, to make themselves feel better about their ignorance and fear.

You don't have to like that John in Accounting wants to be referred to as "shim" and "sher." But John is the one who gets to call the shots on how people address him. You can refer to him as a "him" out of earshot - or away from where it'll get back to him. But when you publicize your disdain and loathing for all things "shim" and "sher" you basically tell everyone that YOU are the one with the problem. And John ends up feeling shamed because of YOUR lack of compassion.

(You and your being the generic use of the word, not you personally)

Racists will excuse their bad behavior by saying "oh yeah we called them colored people in the 50's, why should we have to change that?" "Oh last week it was African Americans, now it's Blifrakels, we can't keep up" etc. etc. That is what racists say. A civilized human being will say "Okay Tom, you want me to refer to you as a blifrakel, then that's how I'll refer to you from now on."

It's no skin of my nose to call someone however it makes THEM comfortable.

I am an excellent lover - I often start early by warming myself up.

I counted 32 posts on this thread so far. Is that a record?

I think your intention is honorable and thanks for sharing that to clarify your stance. When I weighed the number of examples that read racist (even as points of education) compared to the final singular point, it left my brain with the seesaw on the wrong side of your intention. Something to gnaw on in the future.

ANYTHING is a welcome gift if it comes from Ms. Omnipotence!!!!!!!!!

Do what you must to roar the engine.

I’m so impressed you thought enough of me to go into my profile and count all my posts. Thank you! Xoxo

I’m not sure everyone on here agrees with you. Men have been trying to put baby in a corner for years tho by saying things like, “I counted 32 posts, is that the record?” Puhleeze. Try harder. Post count shaming doesn’t work as a silencer.