interesting perception of TV
 

This is a copy of a "letter to the editor" from the Villages News. I agree with it. I see the same thing lately. Is it age? Boredom? What's causing this??



To the Editor:

I’m sure this isn’t the first letter concerning this and it certainly won’t be the last. I don’t understand this petty and nasty behavior that I seem to notice from many Villagers. And before anyone replies with the expected, “Don’t like it, then move out!”, I’d like to ask why? Why be so negative and eager to jump on others? I see many bad attitudes and entitled, spoiled human beings. Whatever happened to kindness? It goes much further than meanness and hatefulness. I’ve been out at local businesses and witnessed my fellow Villagers in action. It’s quite embarrassing to see a grown man or woman behaving like spoiled children, yelling and screaming at other people because they aren’t getting their way, or what they believe they are entitled to. Is this the example you’ve all taught your children, as well? And whatever happened to the words, “Please” and “Thank you”?
Kindness and manners, anyone?

Jaime Green
Village of Duval

A number of years ago a woman made her 15 minutes to fame by promoting the happiness germ. it did manage to get her national attention;albeit briefly. Well in effect what we have is the misery germ and its spread all over the western hemisphere. It certainly proves that money won't buy happiness especially when you compare how much more upbeat the people who lived through the Great Depression were than we are now. I would venture a guess that there are a whole lot of people living in foreign countries that would view the wealth of our defined poor as well, wealthy.

We have terrible national leaders, our movies television shows ,music, news stations etc are not upbeat but depressing spreading gloom and doom and it all this carries from one person to the next. Essential the proverbial misery index is in the minus column.

I opine other can decide

I try to understand that others may be suffering from things I cannot see or know and focus instead on the many people who do have smiles and then try to find the humor in the negative where I can. Fortunately I come from a large family who have the ability to find the humor at even the worst times. Like when my brother cut off his finger for the second time and said "bad news; I cut off my finger again, good news; its the same one they reattached the last time and it didn't work to well anyway. On a serious note if you notice that someone is unusually negative checking their medication could be of benefit. Especially if they are weaning off of or starting a new one. I had a friend who quit her job before she read the warning "do not make any major decisions while starting this medication". Fortunately her employer thought it was funny when she asked for her job back.

I agree with the way people act here in TV. I was at dr. Office Friday and this man who's appointment was 15 minutes late came up and gave the receptionist such a reaming out, it was embarrassing listening. Tell me, if he was in with the dr. Would he tell him to hurry it up because there were people waiting for their appointment, I think not. We are retired, what is the big hurry. Where does it say, just because we are older it gives us the right to be rude.

Amen, amen and amen!

I have noticed a rudeness in some people who live in the Villages that I've never seen elsewhere. I think it comes from a sense of entitlement. We all move here with the belief that it is the friendliest place in the nation. If some people don't get what they want when they want it, they turn into something very unpleasant. I have lived here five years. I noticed that attitude right from the start. I have often pitied the waiters, store clerks, receptionists who have to tolerate this terrible behavior from people who think they deserve special treatment because they are Villagers.

I have noticed impatient and rude people everywhere. On ship cruises, in restaurants doctors, hospitals offices, airports etc. It behooves me that these folks have never understood the efficacy of you can get better with results with honey...................

I think that Rubicon was insightful by pointing one finger of blame at a general malaise in this country as a result of increasingly obvious corruption, lack of work ethic, racial divide, uncertainty as to what the future holds, erosion of traditions, etc.

Another factor to consider, when people comment that the grouchy, rude population is greater here, is that TV has the largest concentration of seniors in the world. Sprinkle our grouchy seniors back among the younger-diluted population elsewhere and you would hardly notice them.

Many people do not age well. Illness, boredom, lack of purpose, onset of dementia, concern about having enough funds for their remaining lives, and increased awareness of their mortality are all some serious stressors.

It is not TV and it IS TV. It is all about demographics. Maybe TV should start concentrating on mental well-being as well as physical.

We only have control over our own behavior. Treat others as you want to be treated and hope the cycle continues. A few weeks ago Starbucks had a long line of people that all day paid for the persons purchase behind them. This went on for hours. All it took was the first person to start the act of kindness.

It begins with us.

No matter how bad or rude someone is I try to ignore it. Pointing it out to them will only make it worse so I bite my tongue. It goes against my grain to do that but as someone mentioned we are retired and I have no interest in confrontation any more.

I work at Disney and it rampant there
I paid$$$$ for this vacation and I deserve this and that...
I'm new here to TV, so far all I've seen are happy friendly people... ( Except my neighbor)

Steve agree about our homogenous population and is a mix of aches and pains, medications, sore spots as to issues or circumstances i.e tired of waiting in line I'm old, I'm entitled to go first...move.

On the other hand there are those here who do well sidestepping or containing negative vibes which has always put a smile on my face because one expert when said that his definition of intelligence was a person who refused to remain unhappy.

Stay thirsty my friends

Guess I just have a different perspective on life in TV. For every rude miserable person, it seems to me that there are at least 10 compassionate, thoughtful, caring people here. Having lived in 5 states through the years, most recently in South Florida, and traveling internationally on business, I think TV has the nicest people.

I can't help but wonder how it is that the 'grouchy folks' are recognized as residents of The Villages and not folks who do not live there. How do people differentiate between them?

I would have to agree that people in the Dust Bowl were probably more upbeat than your post.