[Tweety Bird]

Originally Posted by NJblue

I too think it is not right to save tables and chairs for an extended time. However, I have learned that the people who do this are not necessarily rude and uncaring. We have neighbors who are among the most thoughtful people we have met ... not just to us (because we are "neighbors") but to everyone. However, I was taken aback when they told me they went to the square early to reserve seats for the Rocky and the Rollers concert later that day.

Does this single act make them rude? No, I think they are probably from an environment where this is accepted behavior and not considered rude at all.

YES...the act of reserving seats for Rocky and the Rollers ahead of time IS rude. Let them get there early and put their keesters in the seat AT THE TIME OF THEIR ARRIVAL. This is NOT a theater with ticket purchases with seat and row number on it. Take their little sweater, jacket or plastic water bottle and TOSS it in the nearby planter. They have NO right!!! Let them rant and rave and act like the idiots that they are. I will bring my camera, take their picture and post it! Better yet..ask them...where's your ticket???????

[Tweety Bird]

Originally Posted by dillywho

The practice should be eliminated and everyone on a first-come basis. Afterall, TV is for everyone, not just a select few. We were at SS yesterday and got there early enough to get a good seat and be in the shade. Right in front of us were chairs tied together and whoever had done so still hadn't shown up when we left long after the parade. You want a seat, get there and sit in it. I can see saving one or two if you have plans with someone and get there first, but not a whole row and not for long. Certainly not for all day.
If they don't make it within 20 minutes of the agreed time, then let it go.

Bring a scissor and cut the cord!

[Tweety Bird]

Originally Posted by memason

Here's the deal... Lets say that I don't read TOTV and I don't know how everyone on here feels about the saved/reserved seats/tables. So, I get to TV; a brand new Villager and go to the square or any other event where I am not able to get a seat, since they are all reserved or "saved". What do I do at the next event I want to attend? Exactly, I go early and "save" my spot, because that's what they do in TV. Right?

I think the best solution would be to have signs stating no reserved seating, etc. They certainly have signs that you cannot smoke in the square and even make a VERY LOUD announcement telling everyone smoking is not allowed. What's the difference...

Bottomline....When in Rome, do as the Romans do. So, in a sorta goofy, backhanded way, I think I'm defending the practice.

Just keeping it real....

Your "reality" does not impress me.

I will print out my own signs NO RESERVED SEATING and put them on the table. I will have them in the car in a folder for the appropriate time. I'm "keeping it real"

[memason]

Originally Posted by Tweety Bird

Your "reality" does not impress me.

I will print out my own signs NO RESERVED SEATING and put them on the table. I will have them in the car in a folder for the appropriate time. I'm "keeping it real"

Well, I wasn't trying to impress you... it what it is...my opinion. From my experience, it's easier to determine "why" something is happening and then try to come up with a solution. You can rant on TOTV 'til hell freezes over and nothings gonna change.

If you print your signs and put them on the tables, I applaud you! You are actually doing something about the perceived problem, besides complaining.

Go get 'em Tweety Bird

[AnonChick]

This whole passive-aggressive stuff is mindboggling to me. When in Rome? They didn't KNOW? How could they not know? The concept of "sharing" is something taught in kindergarten. The concept of "don't claim what isn't yours" is something taught right along with the concept of sharing.

Are you really all justifying rude, childish, selfish behavior as ignorance? You're excusing it, patronising the offender, and saying "oh there there, it's okay, you just didn't know."

Of course they knew. I mean unless they were brought up in 'the hood' where turf wars are faught with knives and guns and every man for himself and if little Susie didn't carve her name in blood on the chair, then someone else was gonna steal it from her...

But I'm getting the impression that the Villages has a slightly higher caliber of residents.

The poachers know better. But they know you'll excuse them, and justify them, and not say anything to them, and probably even become one of them if they keep doing it enough times. And so they'll continue to poach.

[Coconuts]

Originally Posted by AnonChick

This whole passive-aggressive stuff is mindboggling to me. When in Rome? They didn't KNOW? How could they not know? The concept of "sharing" is something taught in kindergarten. The concept of "don't claim what isn't yours" is something taught right along with the concept of sharing.

Are you really all justifying rude, childish, selfish behavior as ignorance? You're excusing it, patronising the offender, and saying "oh there there, it's okay, you just didn't know."

Of course they knew. I mean unless they were brought up in 'the hood' where turf wars are faught with knives and guns and every man for himself and if little Susie didn't carve her name in blood on the chair, then someone else was gonna steal it from her...

But I'm getting the impression that the Villages has a slightly higher caliber of residents.

The poachers know better. But they know you'll excuse them, and justify them, and not say anything to them, and probably even become one of them if they keep doing it enough times. And so they'll continue to poach.

What she said.

[Talk Host]

On our very first visit to The Villages in 2002 we were greeted by some friends from back home who had already moved here. It was the night of the Marti Gras parade. (back when it was really, really nice and big). Anyway, they said, "Let's all go to the parade tonight, we went down and set up chairs early this morning."

My response was, "won't somebody steal them or move them or something?" The response was, "no, that's what everybody in the Villages does, it's the accepted practice." So, very early on we were under the impression everybody was good with it. We've never done it though for the reasons cited here.


As an interesting side note about that parade, there were two women standing next to me. Somebody on a float was throwing out those 2 cent Marti Gras necklaces. Both of the women caught it at the same time and began a tug of war and shoving match over that stupid cheesy string of plastic beads. Finally, the string broke and the beads flew all over the place, but the women kept shoving each other until some guys broke it up. I looked at my wife and said, "Hmmmmmmmm" Florida's friendliest home town!" Have never seen anything like it since.

JLK

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

As an interesting side note about that parade, there were two women standing next to me. Somebody on a float was throwing out those 2 cent Marti Gras necklaces. Both of the women caught it at the same time and began a tug of war and shoving match over that stupid cheesy string of plastic beads. Finally, the string broke and the beads flew all over the place, but the women kept shoving each other until some guys broke it up. I looked at my wife and said, "Hmmmmmmmm" Florida's friendliest home town!" Have never seen anything like it since.

JLK

In 2002 the margarita's had more of a punch!

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

In 2002 the margarita's had more of a punch!

I'm guessing you're right.

[BobKat1]

I might start a thread, "Are the margarita's served in TV getting weaker?"

[Ajack]

Originally Posted by BobKat1

I might start a thread, "Are the margarita's served in TV getting weaker?"

Maybe the villagers have just created a higher tolerance?

[bargee]

This will continue until there is a serious confrontation and someone is injured and the next night we will show up to find no chairs set out and we will be notifed that you will here after bring your own chairs.Don't think that will happen,remember the Buffalo?Come on folks lets be fair,if you want to sit get there early,otherwise bring your own seats.No Saving.

[iandwk]

My wife and I just purchased the silver pass to Silver Springs. We wanted it mainly for the concerts coming up this winter. We asked the lady at the gate how it worked, and she said that people generally come in when they open the park at 9am and bring their chairs and place them in front of the stage. She said no one ever bothers them. Then they leave the park and come back in time for the show around 3pm. It reminded me of this thread.

The difference is the park doesn't provide chairs. If you want to sit and watch the show you bring your own. If I wanted to reserve a spot in TV for an event, I would bring my own chair and leave it. I doubt anyone would be so bold as to claim it as their own, and I can't see why anyone would complain about it.

We always carry our own chairs when going to the squares anyway. Much more comfortable.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by Indydealmaker

Eliminate free seating for special events. Rope off the square. Have a vendor employing some of our residents rent chairs for $5 each starting one hour prior to event. People are less likely to fork over the moolah for their friends who have not yet arrived. Those that currently and quite reasonably feel arriving around an hour prior to an event is practical can then have increased chances of attending. For those horrified by the prospect of actually paying for entertainment, the funds can go to charity. I have found that if you want to induce people to start acting reasonably, money is an effective inducement.

I think that would be a shame, and it's not about the $5. Free concerts and events on the square are part of what makes TV TV. It's cultural. It's part of our fabric, our magic sauce, our Kool aide.

I'm not in favor of letting a few bad apples spoil the bunch. Take something of value away from everybody because of of the deeds of some? Why? Better to advocate for a posted "no saving seats" policy. Give notice in the Daily Fun. Have CW around to enforce it the first few times until it becomes known.

"I'll show you" inducement policies are lose lose. Let's be more creative than that!

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by Pturner

I think that would be a shame, and it's not about the $5. Free concerts and events on the square are part of what makes TV TV. It's cultural. It's part of our fabric, our magic sauce, our Kool aide.

I'm not in favor of letting a few bad apples spoil the bunch. Take something of value away from everybody because of of the deeds of some? Why? Better to advocate for a posted "no saving seats" policy. Give notice in the Daily Fun. Have CW around to enforce it the first few times until it becomes known.

"I'll show you" inducement policies are lose lose. Let's be more creative than that!

I totally agree that establishing a rule and making that rule known to all is a much better solution than to modify the established "free" approach. I am hopeful, but doubtful, that would work when rules in general don't seem to mean anything anymore (illegally modified golf carts, speeders, red light runners, blocking golf carts against the curb with your cart, cutting in line, under-age residents, etc. etc.) You are absolutely right in acknowledging that a few bad apples do the spoiling, but the spoiling seems oblivious to rules and laws, particularly because all too often enforcement is "missing in action". Lack of consequences for socially undesirable behavior feeds and nurtures the growth of bad actions. The actions of the minority are all too often exponentially deteriorating to our Quality of Life. Well that is my rant for the day.