[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by bobnyce

Wrong! He is openly drinking beer from that back pack. And he isn’t buying it at the Squqre. Tolerance need only go so far. Whoever said “if you don’t like, don’t go” is foolish. This person has been doing this for years and has had many confrontations with others. If he cannot control himself he should be asked to leave but that would happen only if The Villages says so since the Square is private property. We just do not go or stay when he is there. And, we are not the only ones. It is the merchants who lose!

He's there just about every night. He is drinking water that he pours from a gallon water jug he keeps in his pack. He doesn't have confrontations with anyone. He's not asked to leave, because most people enjoy his excitement. Just his presence gets people up on their feet dancing. And dancing makes people thirsty. And thirsty people buy more drinks. He's good for business. In fact I wouldn't doubt it for a moment if I learned that he was paid to be there. It'd make sense.

[SERENITY52]

Originally Posted by Davonu

Have any of you seen the guy, usually at Spanish Springs, that carries around a baton and dances solo to the music? I don't want to sound too harsh here, but personally I'm annoyed by some of his "act". He may have some sort of issue that deserves tolerance, but part of his routine is to regularly let out screams during the music.

I can understand that the powers-that-be would be cautious to intervene regarding most of his behaviour, but the screams in my opinion cross the line. They are so loud and blood curdling that they are a distraction to the music and, especially if nearby and unanticipated, they are startling and even a bit scary.

Maybe everybody but me thinks it's cute. Again, part of me has sympathy for the gentleman. His dancing alone would likely be just another curiosity at the square. But I simply don't think the extreme part of his antics...the screaming...should be tolerated.

Okay. I've vented.

The gentleman is RUDE!!!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by JimmyDebbie

I don’t know of this man but wondering (based on the description) if he might have Tourette’s syndrome. One of the characteristics of Tourette’s is uncontrollable “tics” and his loud outbursts could be his tic. Tics can vary from person to person who have Tourette’s.

No, he doesn't have Tourette's Syndrome. He just shouts "TWO THREE FOUR!" at certain parts of certain songs, because he's inspired to express himself in that way.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Not if he brings his own drinks, not allowed at squares.

He brings his own water. He doesn't drink alcohol.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Actually, I believe the person you are referring to is a pre-op transgender. Nice guy(gal), plays a good game of golf as well.

I've seen them in the square during the day when I was down in Sumter at one of the stores. Recognized them right away, they were dressed as a man then, but wearing eye-liner if I remember right.

[FromNY]

If he is upsetting and frightening to you,ask yourself why? Does his behavior triggering unpleasant memory for you? As long as he is not overtly reaching for you move away from him and dance on. There are many humans I move away from because of unpleasant triggers. They have their life I have mine. There use to be a golden rule... Do onto others as you would have them do onto you. Guess that one got pulled down and canceled somewhere along the years.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Also, I find it MUCH more distracting to sit upwind behind someone who lights a cigarette while seated within the square, while the canned announcement reminds people that smoking is prohibited.

And I find it MUCH more distracting when the people sitting behind me insist on having LOUD long conversations with each other, basically completely ignoring the fact that there's music playing and people trying to listen to it.

And I find it MUCH more distracting when someone chooses to put their chair too close to the wall, after being told by the Watch guy that he needs to move it a few feet forward, and then gives the Watch guy an argument even though he's the ONLY one who wants to block access.

And then those other people who sit at one end of the wall, who INSIST on walking in front of everyone in that row to get to the other side - when all they have to do is go the other way and they won't have to cross in front of anyone at all.

And all the people with dogs, who insist that their dogs LOVE loud music. Hint: they're behaving themselves because they're trained to behave themselves, or because they're too overwhelmed to do anything else. Dogs are very sensitive to sound. You're causing them damage. Stop doing that.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

No, he doesn't have Tourette's Syndrome. He just shouts "TWO THREE FOUR!" at certain parts of certain songs, because he's inspired to express himself in that way.

Oh, gee whiz, how can you say that? There have been 2 previous posts by google "experts" that suggested he did, one of which whom couldn't even spell it correctly.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Davonu

Have any of you seen the guy, usually at Spanish Springs, that carries around a baton and dances solo to the music? I don't want to sound too harsh here, but personally I'm annoyed by some of his "act". He may have some sort of issue that deserves tolerance, but part of his routine is to regularly let out screams during the music.

I can understand that the powers-that-be would be cautious to intervene regarding most of his behaviour, but the screams in my opinion cross the line. They are so loud and blood curdling that they are a distraction to the music and, especially if nearby and unanticipated, they are startling and even a bit scary.

Maybe everybody but me thinks it's cute. Again, part of me has sympathy for the gentleman. His dancing alone would likely be just another curiosity at the square. But I simply don't think the extreme part of his antics...the screaming...should be tolerated.

Okay. I've vented.

The line between sanity and insanity is debatable. It is often doing harm to yourself or to others.

As far as everybody but me thinks it's cute. A common thought for many. For me another form of insanity. I am will to listen to what others say, think etc. In the end all that matters is what I think and whether acting on my thoughts is worth the cost.

[waynehal55]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

How about that - Backpack man manages to get two people who are diametrically opposed to each other in every other way, to agree on something.

Y'all who have a problem with Backpack Man are sad. This guy, for all his hollers and hoots, is a man who wants to spread love. If you can't accept it, don't come to the square.

I agree with you, my wife and I were at the square about a week ago. He puts a smile on our faces, he was going around flashing the peace sign and my wife returned it. He's a lovable character that means no harm.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

He's there just about every night. He is drinking water that he pours from a gallon water jug he keeps in his pack. He doesn't have confrontations with anyone. He's not asked to leave, because most people enjoy his excitement. Just his presence gets people up on their feet dancing. And dancing makes people thirsty. And thirsty people buy more drinks. He's good for business. In fact I wouldn't doubt it for a moment if I learned that he was paid to be there. It'd make sense.

I'm getting a strange sense of deja vu. Isn't this thread eerily similar to one about 5 years ago about how line dancers were rude, distracting, taking over the squares, etc.? So people are picking on this guy because he is different as opposed to line dancers? I guess that could be a matter of opinion as well.

[larcha]

Absolutely amazing. This has to be a record. Six pages of comments!

[retiredguy123]

Wow. I never go to the squares. But, after reading this thread, I think I'll go less often.

[SeanAndrews]

Yes, he's a character. My wife and also call him "the conductor" and we have him as one of the squares on our "bingo card" of Spanish Springs characters. Most of his antics are entertaining, but the screaming is over the top. It seems from this discussion that some of you know him. Is anyone on a friendly-enough basis to mention to him that his screaming is getting out of hand? I don't think too many people would have a problem with him if he didn't scream.

For those who say that he does no harm, I invite you to watch the crowd the next time he lets out one of his blood-curdling screams. Do you notice many of them wincing? Also, when he plants his chair (with water bottle) somewhere in the town center, watch as the other visitors pick up their chairs and move away from him. His screaming is chasing away other villagers and guests. Sadly, eventually he'll get banned. I'm surprised he lasted this long.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by DAVES

The line between sanity and insanity is debatable. It is often doing harm to yourself or to others.

As far as everybody but me thinks it's cute. A common thought for many. For me another form of insanity. I am will to listen to what others say, think etc. In the end all that matters is what I think and whether acting on my thoughts is worth the cost.

I think the actual quote refers to the fine line between genius and insanity. The line between sanity and insanity is pretty clear.
And if you believe that "all that matters is what I think", guess which category you fall into?