The "Pool People" Tips and Suggestions.
 

So we purchased a home in a well established area. Like many pools, the regulars are always there. They seem very friendly and are very talkative to each other. When my wife and I went to the pool there was a wave of coldness, and i do not mean the water temperature. I understand that friendships are made and strengthened over time, but I can use any suggestions on how to get the "pool people" to communicate or at least acknowledge our existence. I'm sure its not all pools and I'm sure its not all the "pool people". I don't want to try a different pool since i am 3 blocks from mine now. So, I can use your suggestions.

We have also seen it. Very often you get 3-4 women walking back and forth and no interest in others.

Perhaps if you got there early before all the regulars are there you could find someone to talk too.

We usually go to a pool that is a bit further away and find the people there more friendly.

Pool snobs. They do not want others in their private pool

Ask them if they noticed any yellow water spot in the pool. That should get them talking

I would be the first to instigate conversation. I've been a "pool person" that came when others seemed to be there first. Once the "ice" was broken, we formed friendships---if not away from the pool, certainly each time we went.

What works almost all the time is wearing a hat (baseball maybe) that tells people where you are from. Works all the time in the squares or on the golf course. If people are from where you use to live up north then a conversation is almost guaranteed.

We found the best solution was to build our own back yard pool.

Drop a couple Babe Ruth candy bars in the pool to strike up a conversation, works for us.........LOL

Jr high all over again

Pool People
 

Pool People can be very clickish especially the “Regulars”. Just go and enjoy the water. If you become a regular at the pool they might let you into the club assuming you even want to be.

Was it the Duval pool, because that would be the most uncomfortable cliques I have seen since high school.

We were told once by 6 women, that we couldn’t come in the pool, because it was only for Duvall residence only, if we didn’t leave community watch would be called.

We all know that’s a crock, however a new person may not know the rules of you can go anywhere at any pool. We have priority so I don’t really care about the adult only pool and the clientele that camps there.

Bring beer and pizza. I'll talk to you.

Ain't that the truth! :bigbow:

Are they being rude, or just ignoring your presence? If the latter, that would be fine with me.

Wear a very tight speedo...they will notice you.

Start swimming, that get them talking to you…. IMO if you go there long enough eventually you’ll be one Of them pool people.

They might complain that you are getting in the way of their walking back and forth.

Hardly silent. Nice way to ruin a little satirical humor.

I don't care about the pool people. I go to the pool to slowly swim up to one end and then water walk back to the other end. I do this for gentle exercise. There are a lot of people that just stand in the water and talk. That's not for me.

wow 😮

Nick was spot on

The middle class in the US no longer exists. The US now has the greatest wealth disparity in the 1st world. There are a lot of reasons why people at a Village pool might want to keep to themselves and not be "chatty". We are just coming out of a Pandemic and a new surge in Omicron Covid is going on in the Northeast. The people in the Northeast often travel to Fl. Many people at the swimming pool may NOT be vaccinated at all and some may have decided to NOT get booster shots. Personally, I would not want to be shaking hands and coming close to people at a pool when I don't know their vaccination status. Outside is better than indoors and the new Omicron variants likely will ONLY make you sick like having a flu, but NOT kill or hospitalize you. But, why take that chance with someone you don't know and may not even end up liking.
........Another reason for not wanting to be a "social butterfly" is that society is still in a very polarized condition. People have hardened, strong feelings about what is going on in the nation and world. When I go to the pool, it is to get exercise and sun. The last thing I want to do is get into an argument about ANYTHING. I read a book and I swim.
........So, considering the social environment, I don't think that it is too surprising that people are keeping to themselves and their KNOWN friends at a pool or anywhere.

You obviously didn't grasp the poster was being facetious. Kind of like your post.

We gravitate to those that nobody else is paying any mind. Many people forget what it was like to be new here.

I feel sorry for the OP. Introduce yourself and if that doesn't work try again and if that doesn't work you know what you gotta do. Good Luck.

It can be a slow process to find yourself woven into an already established group of friends. I have found that at times at our Hadley pool but I just smile, say hi or good morning & most times eventually I am included in a bit of conversation. Sometimes it just takes time.

Great
 

I love the fact nobody talks to me. Hopefully it continues

More hats..
 

Not only where you are from but others such as places you vacationed, military, college, probably others too.

This post just reminded me to take ear plugs next time we hit the pool in the hood. We try to stay an hour when we go and honestly I don’t know how people can talk constantly for a whole hour. It’s like filibustering

Try a MAGA hat. You’ll know right away if you’re welcome.

OP is not interested in avoiding the pool people. You miss the point

Wow, I can't imagine saying that to someone. I know what you mean about the clicks for sure and it is so rude. If ANYONE ever said to me that I couldn't be at that pool (of course having my id w me and acknowledging scheduled events are different) the response would be "F-off, this is 'the FRIENDLIEST town on Earth' remember!?" and then I would continue on my way to enjoy the pool.

We live across from Mulberry pool. We have it all! Mulberry misfits, walkers,and talkers. I do water aerobics 5-6 times a week, plus do 1/2 mile of afternoon laps. Life is always an adjustment...

BYOB at Duval, no rsvp needed. The Villages should put that pool on the Trolley stop route... that will sell houses for sure.

I’m not a great conversationalist and I go to the pool to swim back and forth at the deep level for exercise. A simple hello and comment about the weather, pool temperature etc is enough to let them know I am open to limited conversation. Also if I overhear a conversation (hard not to) about shopping opportunities or a restaurant I might add an uninvited comment, again to show I am open to limited conversation. If I am shunned, no problem. Again I go to the pool to swim. I’m paying for it!!

My biggest gripe is with those that congregate at the deepest end just so you can’t swim back and forth. Yeah, I know, there is always the sports pool lanes

Good to know will have to pay a visit.

We have priority?
 

Hello thelegges,

What do you mean that you have priority at the pools?
I am not a resident just yet and would like to know more about what you are speaking of.

Thank you.
-Kbace6

Maybe you should wear a bathing suit.

Potato in the front this time

Some folks might need one but some of us do not.:bigbow:

Ask "What's the best restaurant in TV." Old folks love to talk about food.

So sorry you are experiencing this. Our local pool is Collier. Really great group of regulars there who have made us feel so welcome. Come on over.