[Trish Crocker]

Over the years that I have lived here I have had many opportunities to speak with various service workers, landscapers, pool people, sales people, movers, etc. I always ask how they like working in the Villages and I have learned that Villagers for the most part are nice but there is a huge group that are rude, demanding and arrogant. People are always complaining about the 'lazy young people that won't get a job' and yet, there are hundreds of young men and women doing things for us. The young man cutting your lawn or trimming your shrubs is NOT a master gardener, he's just a young guy trying to make a living doing a job that you don't want to do and usually in 100 degree heat. The landscape companies have a hard time keeping employees because of the mistreatment. If you don't believe me take the time to ask how they are, offer them something cold to drink and talk about working in the Villages. You will be surprised at some of the stories. We sit in our airconditioned homes, complain about the heat while golfing all the while these young people are working their butts off and getting flack. Please don't tell me 'well, I'M paying them" or 'I worked my whole life" So are they, and they physically work harder that I ever did. Show them some respect, please.

[NotGolfer]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

Over the years that I have lived here I have had many opportunities to speak with various service workers, landscapers, pool people, sales people, movers, etc. I always ask how they like working in the Villages and I have learned that Villagers for the most part are nice but there is a huge group that are rude, demanding and arrogant. People are always complaining about the 'lazy young people that won't get a job' and yet, there are hundreds of young men and women doing things for us. The young man cutting your lawn or trimming your shrubs is NOT a master gardener, he's just a young guy trying to make a living doing a job that you don't want to do and usually in 100 degree heat. The landscape companies have a hard time keeping employees because of the mistreatment. If you don't believe me take the time to ask how they are, offer them something cold to drink and talk about working in the Villages. You will be surprised at some of the stories. We sit in our airconditioned homes, complain about the heat while golfing all the while these young people are working their butts off and getting flack. Please don't tell me 'well, I'M paying them" or 'I worked my whole life" So are they, and they physically work harder that I ever did. Show them some respect, please.

I so agree with you! Recently I commended a wait-person in one of our well-known restaurants and you'd have thought I'd given her $100.00!!! It takes so little effort to offer kindness and you'll receive it back 10-fold!!

[vintageogauge]

I was raised to do just that, work hard and work long. I also remember how some of the people I worked for treated me. I was once hired by a local store owner to mow his lawn, a little over half an acre, I was 12. He had a nice self propelled lawn mower. He picked me up the first day, a very hot day, I went in the garage with him and he gave me a non-propelled mower and stated the other was for him, that was 60 years ago and I still remember how I felt 50 cents per hour, I received 75 cents to mow and trim around his house with hand squeeze trimmers once a week. I also cleaned out garbage and trash from butcher shops, flower shops, and larger stores when I was a child as my parents had nothing to spare. They almost all paid the same and one thing I learned from it was working hard eventually pays off. When I was even younger my father and I cleaned out the trash for a men's clothing store owner on a weekly basis. One time my dad needed a new pair of work shoes and he asked the owner if he could pay half from that days work and pay the balance the following week, the owner turned him down. He eventually got the shoes the following week but everyone in town found out how he was treated, the store owner lost that round. These workers for the most part are young, they'll get over whatever flack they are getting, the ones that stick with it will have a future somewhere the ones that give it up will always give up. Sad to say but that's how it goes. Just one man's opinion speaking from experience.

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

Over the years that I have lived here I have had many opportunities to speak with various service workers, landscapers, pool people, sales people, movers, etc. I always ask how they like working in the Villages and I have learned that Villagers for the most part are nice but there is a huge group that are rude, demanding and arrogant. People are always complaining about the 'lazy young people that won't get a job' and yet, there are hundreds of young men and women doing things for us. The young man cutting your lawn or trimming your shrubs is NOT a master gardener, he's just a young guy trying to make a living doing a job that you don't want to do and usually in 100 degree heat. The landscape companies have a hard time keeping employees because of the mistreatment. If you don't believe me take the time to ask how they are, offer them something cold to drink and talk about working in the Villages. You will be surprised at some of the stories. We sit in our airconditioned homes, complain about the heat while golfing all the while these young people are working their butts off and getting flack. Please don't tell me 'well, I'M paying them" or 'I worked my whole life" So are they, and they physically work harder that I ever did. Show them some respect, please.

Well said Trish

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

Over the years that I have lived here I have had many opportunities to speak with various service workers, landscapers, pool people, sales people, movers, etc. I always ask how they like working in the Villages and I have learned that Villagers for the most part are nice but there is a huge group that are rude, demanding and arrogant. People are always complaining about the 'lazy young people that won't get a job' and yet, there are hundreds of young men and women doing things for us. The young man cutting your lawn or trimming your shrubs is NOT a master gardener, he's just a young guy trying to make a living doing a job that you don't want to do and usually in 100 degree heat. The landscape companies have a hard time keeping employees because of the mistreatment. If you don't believe me take the time to ask how they are, offer them something cold to drink and talk about working in the Villages. You will be surprised at some of the stories. We sit in our airconditioned homes, complain about the heat while golfing all the while these young people are working their butts off and getting flack. Please don't tell me 'well, I'M paying them" or 'I worked my whole life" So are they, and they physically work harder that I ever did. Show them some respect, please.

Very nicely put, and so very true.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

Over the years that I have lived here I have had many opportunities to speak with various service workers, landscapers, pool people, sales people, movers, etc. I always ask how they like working in the Villages and I have learned that Villagers for the most part are nice but there is a huge group that are rude, demanding and arrogant. People are always complaining about the 'lazy young people that won't get a job' and yet, there are hundreds of young men and women doing things for us. The young man cutting your lawn or trimming your shrubs is NOT a master gardener, he's just a young guy trying to make a living doing a job that you don't want to do and usually in 100 degree heat. The landscape companies have a hard time keeping employees because of the mistreatment. If you don't believe me take the time to ask how they are, offer them something cold to drink and talk about working in the Villages. You will be surprised at some of the stories. We sit in our airconditioned homes, complain about the heat while golfing all the while these young people are working their butts off and getting flack. Please don't tell me 'well, I'M paying them" or 'I worked my whole life" So are they, and they physically work harder that I ever did. Show them some respect, please.

What does "huge group" mean? Who are they?
Is it a dozen, a hundred...……..?
In 16 years I have never witnessed any of these folks being abused.

[Trish Crocker]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

What does "huge group" mean? Who are they?
Is it a dozen, a hundred...……..?
In 16 years I have never witnessed any of these folks being abused.

Have you ever asked? I have personal knowledge from someone that works in that field, getting screamed at, cussed at, and it happens a lot.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

What does "huge group" mean? Who are they?
Is it a dozen, a hundred...……..?
In 16 years I have never witnessed any of these folks being abused.

Whether it's a dozen, a hundred, or one doesn't matter. The point is it's a good reminder of how to treat people. I remember telling new teachers when I was a teacher/coach - treat the custodians and the kitchen staff with care and respect and you'll probably have a great experience.

[Fredster]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

What does "huge group" mean? Who are they?
Is it a dozen, a hundred...……..?
In 16 years I have never witnessed any of these folks being abused.

I can only speak for what I’ve witnessed on our particular street.
I have only seen service workers treated with respect.
And there are a great number of firms and their workers busily doing there trade.
Of course there probably are jerks that behave as the OP stated,
but I really haven’t seen, or experienced that happening.
I really appreciate how hard they work in the Florida heat!

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

Have you ever asked? I have personal knowledge from someone that works in that field, getting screamed at, cussed at, and it happens a lot.

Absolutely. And let's not forget those friendly villagers who complain when the workers use the bathrooms at the pools. And like you, I too have spoken with workers at local grocery stores and "drug store" chains who have similar sentiments about certain residents.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

Over the years that I have lived here I have had many opportunities to speak with various service workers, landscapers, pool people, sales people, movers, etc. I always ask how they like working in the Villages and I have learned that Villagers for the most part are nice but there is a huge group that are rude, demanding and arrogant. People are always complaining about the 'lazy young people that won't get a job' and yet, there are hundreds of young men and women doing things for us. The young man cutting your lawn or trimming your shrubs is NOT a master gardener, he's just a young guy trying to make a living doing a job that you don't want to do and usually in 100 degree heat. The landscape companies have a hard time keeping employees because of the mistreatment. If you don't believe me take the time to ask how they are, offer them something cold to drink and talk about working in the Villages. You will be surprised at some of the stories. We sit in our airconditioned homes, complain about the heat while golfing all the while these young people are working their butts off and getting flack. Please don't tell me 'well, I'M paying them" or 'I worked my whole life" So are they, and they physically work harder that I ever did. Show them some respect, please.

Nice post. Unfortunately you are either the type of person to thank and take care of the person working for you in a rotten job, or you turn away and say I came up the hard way and so should you. I don't think people change.

[Nucky]

Some of the people who work in Doctor's offices that I have been in could use a little adjustment but over time they have become that way because of the way customers may treat them. Not an excuse just my observation.

That being said, our OP is really perfect with the assessment. Tough life for many of these hard working people. One really nice guy around 25 years old who has been slinging Coffee at DD'S for a long time showed up at the car wash on 441 wiping cars for $5 an hour. It's only to take care of his son who has major medical issues. He works 15 or more hours 6 days a week. A smile, a couple buck's, a water when its a thousand degrees or a kind word is a beautiful thing and we are proud of Trish Crocker for bringing this up. People by our age are set in their ways for the most part. Try doing something for somebody and then keep it quiet. Its a feeling you can't buy. Bravo Crocker!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

What does "huge group" mean? Who are they?
Is it a dozen, a hundred...……..?
In 16 years I have never witnessed any of these folks being abused.

I agree. The premise of this thread is totally bogus. Where is the evidence to back it up?

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

Over the years that I have lived here I have had many opportunities to speak with various service workers, landscapers, pool people, sales people, movers, etc. I always ask how they like working in the Villages and I have learned that Villagers for the most part are nice but there is a huge group that are rude, demanding and arrogant. People are always complaining about the 'lazy young people that won't get a job' and yet, there are hundreds of young men and women doing things for us. The young man cutting your lawn or trimming your shrubs is NOT a master gardener, he's just a young guy trying to make a living doing a job that you don't want to do and usually in 100 degree heat. The landscape companies have a hard time keeping employees because of the mistreatment. If you don't believe me take the time to ask how they are, offer them something cold to drink and talk about working in the Villages. You will be surprised at some of the stories. We sit in our airconditioned homes, complain about the heat while golfing all the while these young people are working their butts off and getting flack. Please don't tell me 'well, I'M paying them" or 'I worked my whole life" So are they, and they physically work harder that I ever did. Show them some respect, please.

Outstanding post!


You have a big heart and an empathetic nature...which we need a whole lot more of these days.

[rjn5656]

Always do. They are hard working people, and the ones that aren't - I fire. The good one I treat wonderfully.