[Pturner]

It's going on my survey to suggest that "no chair saving" signs be posted. Will also suggest that Community Watch remove ribbons and articles left on chairs to save them. An notice can be posted in the Weekly activity news stating this policy as well and explaining where removed personal articles can be picked up.

[ssmith]

I wonder if the density of the population is having an impact....seems to affect the driving....the next square is not build yet. Wonder if it will get better with the next square. Wonder if the powers that be will take the issue on....I know it is not a deal breaker for most but still seems to put a damper on the enjoyment of the place.

[tainsley]

After our first experience with Mardi Gras we brought our own fold up table and each of us brought a chair and we sat over on the grassy area next to the tent on Lake Sumter. It was a beautiful day!

[Carla B]

You were wise to bring your own equipment. The problems seem to occur at restaurants, at events, at Rocky and the Rollers, etc., when TV'ers (think they must) travel in packs. Instead of having tables set up perhaps "standing room only" makes more sense.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by ssmith

I wonder if the density of the population is having an impact....seems to affect the driving....the next square is not build yet. Wonder if it will get better with the next square. Wonder if the powers that be will take the issue on....I know it is not a deal breaker for most but still seems to put a damper on the enjoyment of the place.

It was like this before LSL was built.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by skip0358

Neighbor and I got there at 5:15 this AM to reserve our spots. Before you asked we stayed there all day until about 8:15 this evening. well let me tell you we took our 2 tables for our group the 2nd and 3rd in front of Panerra Bread. Before we had all our stuff out the first table in front of Panerra had been taken away completly and moved to th far end past the sales center chairs from that table were gone ane another 15 - 20 were taken to the same area as the 1st table and then they roped the whole section off. There was nobody there from TV Staff yet so it was a free for all.People were running in piling chairs on top of tables ,putting ropes through chairs etc. and just leaving. By about 6AM the place was pretty much roped off. Well this Staff person comes flying down the road in the B&W truck slams on the brakes and starts yelling that the road is closed u can't do this or that. I said a little 2 late pal the damage is done. Well where's this table and the chairs moved I said well they can't do that .Well maybe you should have had your ass down here at 5 AM to watch what was going on. What a punch of pigs today. Something really has to be done. If you want a table somebody should have to stay as we did or tough s---,on you. The rules should be posted and enforced. if there's no reserving then be there at 5 and enforce it period. Just my opinion

Oh, I see its the fault of the Event Staff.

[Villageshooter]

I have found when you start taking a pictures of bullies they tend to wilt or back down.. If they give you a hassle about just setting down, I just say.. Maybe we should call 911 and see what a cop has to say about chairs on public property and who has the rights to use them if those chairs are provided by TV? I don't ever go looking for a confrontation, but some nice pictures of one of these knuckleheads posted on a web site tends resolve the issue. This is dealing with men, as far as dealing with women, well sometimes you don't kick a lying dog!

[Midge538]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Oh, I see its the fault of the Event Staff.

I think the question comes down to just 'who actually has the authority to either allow or prevent these behaviors.'

[JoeC1947]

Originally Posted by skip0358

Neighbor and I got there at 5:15 this AM to reserve our spots. Before you asked we stayed there all day until about 8:15 this evening. well let me tell you we took our 2 tables for our group the 2nd and 3rd in front of Panerra Bread. Before we had all our stuff out the first table in front of Panerra had been taken away completly and moved to th far end past the sales center chairs from that table were gone ane another 15 - 20 were taken to the same area as the 1st table and then they roped the whole section off. There was nobody there from TV Staff yet so it was a free for all.People were running in piling chairs on top of tables ,putting ropes through chairs etc. and just leaving. By about 6AM the place was pretty much roped off. Well this Staff person comes flying down the road in the B&W truck slams on the brakes and starts yelling that the road is closed u can't do this or that. I said a little 2 late pal the damage is done. Well where's this table and the chairs moved I said well they can't do that .Well maybe you should have had your ass down here at 5 AM to watch what was going on. What a punch of pigs today. Something really has to be done. If you want a table somebody should have to stay as we did or tough s---,on you. The rules should be posted and enforced. if there's no reserving then be there at 5 and enforce it period. Just my opinion

Well, you know what they say about opinions. It sounds like you're the classic example.

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by mgjim

I'm one of the new guys here and don't know anything about this issue. Is this a chronic problem or just during special events? And, can you bring your own lawn chairs?

Happens every night in Spanish Springs in front of the music mixing booth and the church side of the square. Pay attention and sometimes the band will acknowledge what a great job the "chair guy" is doing to give up his time every afternoon to come down and set up the chairs. Oh yea some of those chairs get the cushion treatment during his act of charity.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Midge538

I think the question comes down to just 'who actually has the authority to either allow or prevent these behaviors.'

You are right. It is a power thing, a selfish thing if people KNOW that it mightily offends others. I think a lot of folks think it is "just how it's done" here. If they posted signs then people would KNOW it shouldn't be done. I wonder if it would stop SOME people from hogging seats.

Is it an issue that can't be enforced? I think "The Villages" whoever the committee is, the event staff a or whoever makes those decisions, doesn't want to have to have confrontations with bullies either. I don't think they want to "take it on" and make it really a messy thing to handle. This is supposed to be America's friendliest home town and I think it is up to the individual to KNOW somehow that it is selfish and wrong to save seats.

And so those of us who do not like it will stay away. Winning through intmidation will be the order of the day. I just don't see a fix that is doable. If we have been taught to think of others and run our lives that way...it will still serve us well and we will be winners in the end....somehow. It is just wrong to hog. In MY opinion anyway. It would ruin it for me to make a scene. The enjoyment of the parade would be gone.

So Skip, you were going to sit in those seats all day from five in the morning until time for the parade? Or did I misunderstand?

[jblum315]

I have lived in TV full time since Oct. '09. I haven't gone to any of the special events since the first month I was here, because of the seat-hogging and general confrontational atmosphere. Sometimes I would like to go, but it's not worth it. Even standing is unpleasant, people push in front of you or sort of push you out of their way. I have never seen anything like it, anywhere I've ever been.
Friendly - Schmiendly. NOT friendly.

[jojo]

It's been suggested before but I think we should note it on the survey. I think posted signs would discourage this seat saving habit. We went to the square at 3:30 and watched the parade. Of course we were standing but we had a good time.

[2 Oldcrabs]

"If the chair saving continues we may just stop shopping & eating in the square area". The merchants pay for the entertainment. Put that in your survey if you want to get results.

[Challenger]

I also dislike the idea of "long term" seat saving and other rude behavior that is apparent in the squares, however, this is not only restricted TV. It happens many places depending on the tradition of the area and the acceptance of the behavior as acceptable. In some other venues different traditions and expectations prevail. In most cases people will respond to what they perceive to be acceptable behavior.

I believe that a process to educate TV residents as to what the accepted behavior should be and some enforcement procedures, could change most of the selfish behavior and return the "squares" to their former friendly reputation.

Newspaper articles, signs and the intervention of a few " marshalls" similar to the process used on golf courses who could remind people of the rules might help with the process.