Surprises on TOTV
 

Just curious, what surprised you the most about TOTV after you joined?

In my case, it was realizing that so many people do not read the entire thread before posting, say, an answer to a question, resulting in a long line of posts with the same answer.

Posts and responses are not what I would expect from people living in the happiest place on earth. Oops, that's Disney. TV is the second happiest place on earth.

Perhaps in some cases they did read it and we're added their comment as reinforcement?

I think that the negative posts may be because of the way many of us were raised. Nothing was said unless something was wrong. It just wasn't the way of folks back then to talk about things that were right.

For me, it was a religious retreat that changed my attitude on that. We were shown that "affirming" another's good qualities was a good thing and being positive was a way of passing on God's love. I fail miserably, but I think it was a good thing to know how to do.

And you are right OP, most just read the last post and respond.

A lot of insightful people and comments.

Yes, there is some nasty out there, but the insights out weigh.

:beer3:

And some folks just have an over abundance of "grump bucket" DNA.

How truly mean-spirited and petty some people are. And how many kind, generous folks there are here. I'm so grateful that kind people far outnumber the petty ones.

Some like to stir the pot and like getting a reaction. Sometimes I don't mind that.
What I do mind is when people get mean spirited.
Some I take with a grain of salt.
99 % of the time, I really enjoy it and I think there is a great bunch of people on here.
I read it for almost a year before I made my first post. LOL ;)

I was surprised about the length of some posts. I don't use twitter but I think there is a 140 word limit. It's more difficult and more considerate to concisely make a point.

On the other hand if you are sharing something, a personal experience that happened to you back in the day, I'll sift through every word and reread like it was Dickens.

The great news is there are over 100,000 people in The Villages now, and only about 20 of them are regular complainers on TOTV. Most folks are quite nice and friendly. :beer3:

I have actually made some "real time" friends after meeting them face to face.

Yes, there are also some real grumps who have even turned down an offer to meet personally with a nasty message.

I say we list them and that way Santa will know how to handle them next Christmas.

:ho:

I was surprised by how quickly I became invested in what was going on in TOTV.

I usually only read posts which are non-confrontational, but I am constantly surprised at what people post here. Sometimes in a good way and sometimes in a bad way; but, I guess that is life in general.

Another thing that surprised me, was how many people have poor written communication skills (not spelling, but writing) among a fairly highly educated population.

Some folks do not do well with the written word but I read their posts and learn just as much as those who have degrees in English. Actually what they write often makes more sense. It's not the manner in which it's offered but the content of their message.

The best thing about TOTV is how helpful everyone has
been with advice and information.

I believe the misspelled words are a result of autocorrection. Despite checking before posting I've had several myself. Fortunately someone recently pointed out that posts can be edited after the fact.

I so agree, and those twenty would be so surprised if everyone who knows that would name them. They don't think they are being negative just realistic. THEY DRIVE ME CRAZY.

I don't care about misspellings, poor grammar, or bad punctuation as long as the writer is making a good and relevant point and is exhibiting clear thinking.

The ones that ramble with no discernible point, try to bash other people over the heads with multiple links "proving" their side of an argument, or wait for someone to make what they see as a mistake so they can pounce on it and correct them . . . now those are the ones that drive ME crazy.

And why should you? How much money she has is none of your business.

Very clever play on words. Tori Spelling?

I agree.

I could care less about the grammar or spelling. I have a bad habit of typing with only my computer for light. Sometimes I miss a letter or 2. I also don't always proof read, even though I know I should.
Sometimes I like it when people make a mistake, then I don't feel so bad. LOL ;)

I agree. Not in school any more. I think the Correctors feel superior when they can publicly correct.

Our biggest surprise is people who don't treat other people with respect. Everyone has a differing opinion and personality and experiences in life and it ok to disagree, but if we had a New Year's resolution it would be for everyone to treat each other with respect on the website.

And yes we agree it is a small % who fall into that category.

TOTV Team

U R lucky there r no typo's in ur post.


:jester::jester::jester:

Well said.
We need a like button. LOL ;)

Well we did double check and use spell check as well....:posting:

What surprised me is the great sense of community from forum members. In spite of some negative and complaining post most people are upbeat and truly love TV.

When I first arrived I was pleasantly surprised by the people who were here to greet me, and show me the ropes. What a great welcoming I had and because of that I've made some good friends.

I'm a bad speller with poor penmanship and I need to look at the keyboard when I type. Software helps just like reading glasses, hearing aids, escalators, moving walkways in the airport, google for my memory and pedal assist bicycles. I still think for myself.

Isn't this a pretty good time to be older?

Outstanding!
 

Yours is my favorite comment on this thread and maybe my all time favorite comment on any thread on any forum anywhere by anyone. :eclipsee_gold_cup:

Awww....geeeee :D

Sorry, I'm guilty of commenting before reading through the thread because I don't want to be influenced. lol But then I read every post.
I'm surprised at how many folks read a thread compared to the low number of comments. :shrug:

Respect. That is the word...it shocks me to learn that intelligent, high functioning adults, first, cannot withstand diasgreement without firing off words of childish resentment or parental rejection, and second, do not know they are resorting to belligerence and third, think it makes their argument more powerful.

It takes all kinds of people to make up a forum and that is what we have w/TOTV. Knowledge, jokes, sales and more knowledge! Thank you all!

Signed on as a member in 2009. What a difference from then to now. Take a look at what just happened to the Kool Aide thread. I was drinking coffee and reading TOTV and thinking how wonderful it is so many people desire to live here and I'm one of the lucky ones that do. Then BAM, guess what happens again. I have disciplined myself to not read posts from certain individuals and specific threads. Dog poop, snowbirds, chair saving, roundabouts, mailbox stickers, grammar, spelling, and Leisureville are my own top of the list censors. Talk about beating dead horses (can I say that - probably an animal rights activist will beat me up now). Apparently I need two cups of coffee this morning.

In all fairness Rustyp, and it makes me sad to read your post and being a firstborn, I first blame myself, in all fairness, the horse is a new horse to some, make that many.

Every day new folks come here and come up with the same erroneous conclusions that are often negative. Some of us are just hoping that Cousin Charlie who reads TOTV and is thinking about moving here isn't getting the wrong info.

Cousin Charlie would make a great villager and a perfect fourth at our Euchre table.

Cousin Charlie really doesn't exist, but nice folks who would enjoy this wonderful place just like we do are reading incorrect stuff. When you live here for awhile, you begin to love this place and become very proud of it.

It may be caused by the chip inserted in your neck when your picture is taken for your I.D. card.

Happy New Year to you and your team. And thanks for providing an opportunity to discuss, opine, and learn!

However, it isn't cousin Charlie adding new threads on; Dog poop, snowbirds, chair saving, roundabouts, mailbox stickers, grammar, spelling, and Leisureville.