When I suggested charging to rent chairs, a popular response was that this changed the "flavor" of TV. In other words our "free" stuff was part of TV culture. I still say this little controversy is an example of a tried and true axiom: "There ain't no such thang as a free lunch." In this instance, we pay in discomfort and grief caused by a lack of civility in others.

The new idea on the table isn't renting chairs. It's buying a reservation. In other words - you don't have to rent a chair, to get a seat. ANYONE can sit at ANY available seat, for free. That wouldn't change.

However, a specific section of limited seating would be made available for people who want to reserve their seats in advance. People who want to be guaranteed not "a" seat - but "that" seat.

They can reserve "that" seat in advance, but they'd have to pay for the privilege of doing so. Currently, they do it anyway, and don't pay anything. So they have nothing to lose if they don't show up, or get there late.

Meanwhile, everyone else who just wants the opportunity to sit down, can sit wherever there are seats, and not pay a dime, because they're not "claiming" seats in advance.

Paying for reserved seating is not the answer. Some people just don't have that extra cash to pay for a seat to see a free event. Besides, I always thought that TV was a "Status Free" community. The only answer (if there is one) is to remove any left articles and have a seat. If someone comes to claim "Their seat" just give them back their articles without a word and I'm sure they will get the point.

That is exactly what I have decided to do. I will treat items as if they were accidentally left behind and when and if they come for them, I will point to where they are.

There is no vote on this. It will happen or it won't happen and that bothers some, but not me.

It is this kind of thing that when placed in the hands of the residents as it will be in the future will cause all kinds of havoc. I am happy to have it the way it is for now.

I still say that the powers here in Oz read this forum. We will see. We will see.

They are doing pretty good if you ask me.

I was looking for a solution that would make everyone happy and avoid conflict or confrontation - personally, I would have trouble removing someone's belongings. If having to 'buy' a reserved seat ticket would be a financial burden, then give tickets away first come/first served, but still allow only a limited number/person and restrict the total number tickets available.

Gosh, I've always just sat down wherever there's a seat at a table!
I just assumed (oops!) that the good folks already sitting there with empty seats wanted some company. You can meet the most interesting people this way! They seat people together at Hacienda Hills whenever they're crowded, and it's fun.

We also did this outside at the bar at Redsauce during the Italianfest parade. Two people at a table for four = 2 empty seats. Of course I always ask, "May we join you?" and after their initial confusion (Do we know you? Who are these pushy people?) they always say yes. They do it in Europe all the time. Maybe we can just pretend we're all Europeans from now on?

European Judy

[QUOTE=graciegirl;304260]There is no vote on this. It will happen or it won't happen and that bothers some, but not me.

Exactly, it doesn't bother me either. Enforcing rules is not the way. Everyone should deal with this in any way they feel comfortable. For me, if I wanted the seat bad enough I would remove their belonging and give them back when and if the owner returns. Like Ajack said I would assume they were left there by accident.

No more from me on this subject, I've better things to do.

"Tickets" would take away from the "free" and casual culture that has been the norm here. One thing we do not want is someone or a committee to get involved and mess everything up.

This culture of seat saving started with individuals and should change by individuals. I think that once a few bold people start sitting where there are empty seats, regardless of articles left behind, the word will spread like wildfire that seat saving is not going to happen without the risk of losing possessions.

I'm from OZ and I say no reserved seats. Put up signs saying "seats available on first come basis occupide only".:wave:

Tickets, free or otherwise, won't work for several reasons.

Why can the seats not just be on a first-come first-served basis in the first place? If you want a particular seat/position, get there and physically sit in it ... period. Not everyone stays from start to finish of any event. As people get up and leave, others take their place on this very basis...no problem, no questions asked. As someone else suggested, just bring your own seat if you want to be assured of sitting. Otherwise, stand until someone leaves. Besides, is it really necessary that you (the word "you" being general as in the rest of the post .. suppose it would actually be grammatically correct to use "one" instead..oh well:shrug:) always have the "best" seat in the place? Just more of the me, me, me mentality IMHO.

Yes, as great as this place is, there is a percentage, like everywhere in the world, of people who have the attitude of "I got mine-and the heck with everybody else"

The host will always have parasites.

This has become a long discussion with several solutions being offered. There is one thing that we have all seemed to forget, though: human nature.

Human nature dictates that there will not be people to track the minutes items are unattended, patrol tables and chairs, remove items, and be available for their retrieval. That would take too many people and too much time. So forget the idea of the "Polite Police".

There will always be rude people and polite people. No matter what rules are imposed, the rude people will ignore them, and the very polite people will obey.

With rules & signs ~ or not ~ the rude people will continue to save seats, and the polite people will be too polite to rudely remove them.

Now, if all the polite people put their heads together and decide to overthrow the seat-saving-culture here in TV, then things could change. If all the polite people begin to remove the belongings of the seat/table-savers and tear down their barriers and ropes, then saving seats or tables would no longer be effective.

BUT, human nature predicts that polite people do not want to be rude. Therefore, no matter what . . . items will not be removed, seats will be saved, and polite people will continue to be annoyed.

C'est la vie.

amen. just place the 'seat holders' on the next seat that has 'holders' on it as well and let them figure it out !

Good post K9. I am one of those polite people who sometimes get inspired to be rude. I don't know what is happening to me but I somewhat feel more embolden as I age.