Close encounter with a BAD attitude..
 

While hitting balls on the range, one "gentleman" (snowbird)decided to hit balls outside the ropes (real nice grass), ambassador asked him to hit balls inside the ropes, he refused.....Hmm!....Is it just me, or do some of the "birds" have a bad attitude?....My theory, life in the fast lane is a difficult adjustment to layed back paradise, not an excuse just a theory IMHO.

Some people can arrive here with an "attitude." I don't mean that in a truly negative way, but when they spend more time at another location, dealing with more congestion, more traffic, work, more difficult weather conditions, etc., they might just not be able to lay back so to speak. They might also feel they're on vacation and well, they are, but each area one lives in, has rules. Golf courses outside of The Villages have rules about where one may hit on the driving range. Some tend to forget, feel they're entitled. They can also appear to feel that those who work around here might not be their equals. It's too bad that every once in a while, one comes across an individual who acts like an.....well you can use your own descriptive word... ;)

Hopefully, in a short while, the "gentleman" with the questionable attitude will come to recognize that this is his hometown and he plays some part in keeping it nice....just like any other place. A community stays nice when all take some part in making sure it does.

while we're at it . . .
 

what's with some of the people in grocery stores? I always apologize when my cart bumps anyone else's (even if they ran into me), or if I pull out in front of someone, but I'm finding many down here don't acknowledge the apology at all, and never say anything like - "Oh, I'm sorry - that was my fault, wasn't paying attention, or whatever." They don't even look at you!

I have lived all over the South and Midwest, and rarely encountered this before.

Well...I listened carefully to each of you sweet people and I agree with you.... and I may just have to go beat up on that fella.:wave:


And the descriptive word??? Well since this guy was at a golf practice area, perhaps it would have something with "hole" in it....:angel:

Life is real simple....you either have good manners or you don't. At our age I say it is too late to learn good manners; if, by now, you don't know the difference between right and wrong, sadly you will not change.

Simpler yet! You can choose to be miserable or be happy. I have chosen happy.

Your PSYCHIC, too, Gracie. I was thinking of exactly the same word....:laugh:

Hmmmm.......well, I uhhhhh........errrrrrr.......I think you might need to help me with that one, gg! :evil6:

Bill

Ohiogirl;

I know exactly what you're talking about!! Within the past few weeks due to some health issues I've had to utilize those electric grocery buggies that the stores offer. I've been absolutely astonished at how rude and inconsiderate some people can be. Notice that the operative word is "some". Many people are friendly and helpful while others stand in the middle of the aisle refusing to move or, even worse, look you right in the eye and refuse to move anyway.

There is no doubt that the majority of residents are a joy to be around. Isn't it a disapointment that there are others you just wish would go somewhere else?

Let's assume you run into - sorry, you're run into - by six people in Publix one day.

That six people constitute approximately .0075% of The Villages.

No excuse for them, I certainly agree, but they're such a small number, perhaps you can just snear at them! :a040:

SWR
:beer3:

I have a mobility scooter that I use in cases where a walk would be too much for me, and in the few weeks that I've been in TV I have not experienced what you describe. Might be that I've just been lucky so far.

I've been to two Walmarts, a Target and a few smaller businesses and have encountered no one that I could consider to be rude. Some who have blocked my way couldn't move aside faster once they realized that they were blocking me. Matter of fact I've encountered people that have apologized (like at asile ends) when there was no reason for them to do so. In furnature stores I've even had employees move furnature for me, again when it wasn't even necessary.

For years I worked where I dealt with the public and can say that 99.9% of them were good people that I enjoyed serving. But... that .1% really made life miserable. So I'm sure I'll run unto one of them sooner or later.

Perhaps I haven't had a problem so far because I'm a large person and people are afraid that I'll grab my cane and clobber them with it if they don't move!
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...sinthehead.gif

I would like to share a story about first impressions and being wrong. The operational office I manage was moved to a new location in a different building. To get to our office area, I passed through the Customer Service area each morning. Since I'm a friendly guy, I would say good morning to two ladies near the passage way (open to their office counter) each morning. They in turn would just stare and me and say nothing. In a general conversation with one of my office friends, I mentioned that some of the Customer Service people were pretty rude for folks working in that field. He then informed me that the two ladies I spoke of were totally deaf. It had never dawned on me that anyone in customer service could be deaf. Turns out they were really nice people after I got to know them better. I just started to wave hello to them when I passed and they started to wave back.
This taught me a valuable lesson. Do not be too quick to judge others based on limited knowledge. Someone may be feeling ill, in pain, having family problems and not be their normal jolly selves, but given an encouraging smile and a little understanding, they may be good people.

manners
 

One thing we noticed . At Publixs , no one will ever let you go ahead if you have a few items. Even the sales people will mention this. Back in Michigan,people will always say go ahead. This is at Publix at Colony Plaza.

That has become a very busy grocery store with all the new Villagers moving in. Honestly, the clerks are really nice, but some of the shoppers are still new to Villages life and it's unsettling to say the least. This is the lot where hubby was nearly backed into by a woman in her car, not paying attention to people walking with shopping carts. More people in the store seem wrapped up in their new food center and don't pay as much attention to what's going on around them. They stand in the middle of an aisle, blocking others from going in either direction. Getting used to a new grocery store takes a bit of time, and some are just slower at it than others. Most do smile and laugh when in a situation where no carts can move....in the fresh fruit and veggie area for example, but I've not yet encountered people not letting others go ahead of them. I have had some great conversations in the checkout line with fellow Villagers. New homeowners enjoy talking about their new life, their new home, their groceries...lol.

I try not to go to the store you mentioned right now, not because I don't like it, but because it is crowded, without a doubt! They'll get better, at least I do hope so...lol.

One day I was at Walmart buying one item. I went to the 10 items or less check out line and there was a guy in front of me with a cart filled to the brim with groceries.

As he and I waited for our turn, him ahead of me, I tapped him on the shoulder and said, "excuse me, I have lost my glasses, could you tell me what the sign up there says? ( I pointed to the 10 items or less sign).:evil6:

He looked up and read, "Ten....Items.....or......less." Guess what he did. He just stood right were he was.

Number 6 hit it directly on the head. You can be happy or you can be crabby. Like Number 6 I prefer happy. I just take those crabby people with a grain of salt and it just reinforces how happy I am to be living here and how NICE MOST of the people are. It truly is paradise, witha few parasites.

Talk Host
 

Another case of entitlement or maybe NO conscience at all, unbelievable....

Pooh
 

:agree::agree:...I really felt sorry for the ambassador, who was justing doing his job, I wonder how much authority they have?

i've done that many times,letting someone go ahead if they only have a few items. Saying no one will let you go ahead is just wrong. Some do, some don't.

You might point out to him....
 

"Sir, we have established you can read, so your issue must be that you can't count?:a040:

Without a doubt...the Publix at Colony is really, really busy. Was told be a checker (and this was BEFORE the snowbirds arrived) to try to come b/4 11:00 as it just "explodes" with people about then. Also after supper is a good time (but I never think of it during these times---so my fault). My hope is that another store will open up on the other end of 466A pretty soon!

I've notice people being "pre-occupied" when shopping there and I am that way too on my BIG shopping day. BUT what seems a bit 'discouraging' is if people stop, with their carts and have a conversation with someone they've happened to see there and NOT move out of the way---that is beyond rude.

My spouse will tell me when I come home and am sputtering about people's behaviors with "fill in the blank". I get the answer.."get over it! It's a fact of life that people will do what they do! Just *you* keep observant and watch out!" Wise-counsel but some days really "take the cake".

Perhaps another explanation. I have been at WalMart when the clerk in the express lane with no one in line will wave someone with a full cart over so they don't have to wait in the regular lines if they are full.

bump
 

bump

I blame it on vacationers. They have paid their high rent and are here to party, others be damned. :boom:

:agree::agree:

This problem is also on the road
 

I noticed at the new 4-way stop going into SS from Delmar, MANY times have had close encounters with drivers that are NOT waiting their turn and it seems to manifest during snowbird season, or is it just me!

Rude Golfer
 

...He probably enters the sand bunkers from the high side, does not fill divots, fix ball marks or rake sand either. I have seen him (or a clone) just about every time I play golf here in The Villages. That goes for exec and championship courses. Drives me nuts!:cus:

The culture of The Villagers for the most part that I have seen is to be very friendly, especially when they are approached with friendliness. Smiling broadly in the face of lack of courteousness or when politely providing advice or suggestions to others (like the man hitting outside the ropes) is the best way to 'indoctrinate' others to begin to understand that they have now moved to (or are visiting) the south, and, more specifically TV, where courtesy and graciousness is the standard. Think of it as kindly helping others learn the ways of TV.

It may take a while for some to catch on, but none of us are ever too old to become friendlier, if that is what we are constantly exposed to. Plus, keeping a smile on your face in the presence of others who may not be or appear as happy will keep their attitude from affecting yours, and will keep you more able to see the humorous side of many otherwise negative situations - just smile (and, after you are away from the situation, shake your head, if it is still bothering you) and you'll feel alot of the stress go away.

Another thing I was taught years ago that helps with keeping a negative thought or situation from affecting your own mood is to move your hands in front of you in the motion of 'dusting them off' and then hold them next to each other upright in front of your mouth and 'blow' across them - as if to blow away any remaining 'residue'. It is the figurative act of letting go of something instead of holding onto it.

Sometimes it is a carryover from prior locations. I know when I got here from SoCal, I had a period of adjustment. I used to drive the freeways to and from work where aggressive driving was the norm. Anything to gain a car length. Four way stop? You snooze, you lose. I wasn't very aggressive, but I certainly needed to tone it down when I got here. Perhaps some of what we are seeing is that carryover, in cars, carts, in the stores, and on the courses.

I agree with your statement.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------09-08-2009, 03:59 PM

I agree with all. Come and visit yourself. You can enjoy all that is offered. Come back a second time and show your family that all the "hype" is true. Enjoy
__________________
Delaware County, PA until 2002

Polo Ridge 2002 - 2009

Bonita Oct 2009 until the box takes me out !!!!

Golf2140 here is one of your old postings...boy you sure changed your tune. Nice to be one of us and not one of them?
Thank you LI & Bogie, I agree with you both 100%

Class
 

Some people brighten a room when they enter and some when they leave. :smiley:

IMHO - It's a matter of having class.

If you have class you don't need much of anything else. If you don't have it, no matter what else you have, it doesn't make much difference.

Soooooo true 2bntv
 

This also applies to the golfers....I just don't understand why some villagers are in such a big hurry....Why the rush, must have to get home to see re-runs of Judge Judy....Giggle, giggle, snort, snort....

How tacky. If I were practicing to his left, I might have gotten flustered and accidentally hit a 90-degree slice. :doh:

Kidding aside, I agree with you. Kindness and courtesy are easy to give, and are contagious.

Just kick the guy out... For every jerk that leaves there are 5 nice people waiting come in and hit some golf balls.

Some six years ago, before I came to TV, my weekly grocery shopping expedition was done in what must be considered as equivalent to our local Publix stores. I seemed always to manage to arrive at the same time as the shuttle from a near-by upscale assisted-living venue.

This always ended up as an exercise in how to politely and quietly overlook and overcome negative thoughts from the General Public!

I strongly hope that folks will latch on to the various threads on this site and subsequently transmit lots of fun-inducing info to all!
SWR
:beer3:

Yes, it is just wrong. I usually let people with a few items jump ahead of me in a cashier line at Publix. I like doing it because I'm in no hurry, and people act like you gave them $100!

Bare. You are so dear. If all the world were just like you!

I have run into a few Grumpys ,but for the most part, everyone is kind.

Bottom line is you would never allow your children or grandchildren to act as some Villagers/visitors do in public, and i'm sure they wouldn't either. So why is their bad behavior to be tolerated and accepted?

Besides, you're retired--what's the rush?