If you expect to be thanked, don’t do it.

If you expect to be thanked, don’t do it. Saying “you’re welcome” in a passive aggressive way is completely immature.

I enjoyed reading these responses. I find it reassuring to know that most people are friendly and most are kind. Maybe because in life we learn to dismiss and walk away from those who aren't.

I think people who choose to come here, and we all did, are automatically not choosing high rises and places that make you a little more isolated.

I don't know why. I know that people who want the warmth of friendship will find it here and perhaps they would find it most anywhere.

I don't know if we are the friendliest home town, but opportunities abound and nice caring people are everywhere.

Good Morning!

Spike Milligan was a comedian and suffered badly from depression due to bipolar disorder, and also a hypocondriac.
He died aged 84.
His grave stone bears the great line.

'I told you I was ill'

There are many reasons why someone won’t respond to another’s greeting. I greet others because I enjoy being friendly. How they respond or not is not my business and I don’t give it a second thought.

It varies...most people from big cities or especially up north do not acknowledge strangers...think walking in NYC etc. That continues after they move and some people are just not that friendly!

Yes and Yes.

It was our parents training and some people are just locked up for whatever reasons.

I say hello to everyone, even stop and talk. After all this is The Villages.

As a former military Officer we were instructed to convey the greeting of the day.

That could be serious or funny.
Always be armed with a quick diddy to pull a giggle

Funny lines are always good starters.... like if you see a couple...

1- " You let him out with that shirt on"
2- " You two make such a sweet couple, A couple of what... I don't know"
3- " Someone walking their Dog, ask Who is Waling who?"

Life is short Avoid the Mean people.
I can typically spot bad behaviors quickly, and avoid those peeps

May I ask from where you brought your abundance of politeness?

We moved from upstate NY in a rural area where everyone waved as they went by. When I am out walking, I try to wave and smile at all who pass by - especially those in golf carts driving into the sun. Want to make sure that they see me!

Like other things in TV, and something many of you might be familiar with, it "depends"

Don't you wish people would stop clumping together NYC and NY state? Upstate (Albany and north) and western NY are so different from NYC.

BINGO! The correct answer to this entire thread!

I totally agree and do the same when I hold a door for someone and they can't be bothered to say "thank you".

I consider myself a friendly person and like saying hello or waving or even a smile to everyone I meet. Now that being said if someone doesn’t return your greeting don’t let it worry you. You never know how one is feeling, as we get older maybe the aches are a little extra this day or we had a bit of bad news or simply he or she did not see you because their mind is on something else. Don’t let it get you down or upset just know that you have offered your smile or greeting in good faith. Never expect a greeting in return but if you get one, to me, that’s icing on the cake.

I had just left a big meeting and was headed into a shop. A lady stopped me to tell me how "pretty" I looked. And remarked that, "....you're even wearing make-up". I took it all as a compliment and it really made my day! A few nice words can make a person's day and it certainly doesn't hurt the person making the compliments. Kindness goes a long way!

Some people here are from places where smiling at people is uncommon, but many eventually unwind. I tend to smile at most people—or at least I think I do, though maybe they don’t recognize it as a smile. Most smile back. It makes life good. I here that in NYC people learn to avoid eye contact, but I don’t care. I try to make eye contact just for fun when I’m there—and to cheer them up a little.

Loretta Bobette is her hero — BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Exactly. Evidently some folks are so needy for recognition they take it personally when they aren't "thanked" for being friendly. ;)

I almost always smile and say "good morning" or "hi" to people here in The Villages and other places. It makes me happy, especially when they respond in-kind. The worst thing that happens is when someone lonely proceeds to tell me their life story. It is a small price to pay for making someone else happy for a few minutes.

TV is not Florida’s friendliest hometown. I lived in a small town in Michigan and we are met each other helped each other and when I bought my designer house I thought it was the same. It is not even close. My neighbors do not wave or check on each other however those who have doggies I’ve
Noticed are very friendly. Having had a fractured wrist and other things here it helped me to clarify that this not where I want to spend the next 30 years. It’s too big, corporate and artificial.

Wow!

Nice post.

I was thinking the same thing.
Maybe this guy IS the guy on #4, Destin, Bonifay.
:ohdear:

I guess I’m used to the fact that no one owes you anything. If they give something like being friendly, it’s a bonus. Friendliness is more about giving and less about receiving.

When driving my cart I wave to everyone. Those that ignore me I honk my horn and wave again and always get a 100% wave back with a smile.

Impressive group. Always easiest for the woman to make the 1st move. Men often question themselves and wonder if they can impress some visually spectacular woman. That IS why bars and alcohol were invented.

Walking I see most people saying hello in retirement communities. On the west coast there are certain recent Asian cultures where it is not acceptable to greet strangers. So many people get upset when they wave and get no response here. In the villages I notice 99 percent smile and wave.

Most Are Friendly!!
 

Barb & I like people and always smile & wave in our cart & pleasantly greet people in the squares & restaurants.
I think a lot of people are kind of shy & then you have the naturally grouchy people who always walk around like they hate everybody.
Barb & I just view those as inherently unhappy people. It’s kind of sad because they miss out on the best part of The Villages. We have met so many great people here. That’s one of the best parts of The Villages!

How friendly are you to strangers
 

Where possible I always say "hello" and don't worry if they reply. Good statement, don't let them live in your head if they don't acknowledge. Life is too short.

I do a lot of walking on "multi-use" (?) paths and make it a point to smile and wave at everyone I meet. Nearly everyone responds in kind. I also make it a point to step off the pavement and walk on the grass when a cart or a bicycle is coming my way. Seems to be appreciated.

Regarding what our parents taught regarding talking to strangers.
I could never understand why I could not take sweets from 'strange men.'
Most of my family were totaly wierd and strange compared to 'strange men.' and they didn't even offer sweets.
For years I thought "because" was some sort of disease!
And if I was spotted speaking to a neighbor, the first thing I was asked was, "What did you say? What did you tell them?"
Our house was like the Spanish Inquisition, only tougher.
We had more secrets than MI5, but as no one told me what they were, how the b****y heck was I supposed to tell them to others.
80 odd years later, I still don't know what the £$%*&! secrets were! :shrug:

Ya Never Know
 

As a retired high school teacher, I've had years of mandatory "suicide training" that included a true story of a suicidal teen who dropped his books while walking home (where he planned to end it all), and was surprised when a friendly classmate smiled and helped him pick up the books. He aborted the planned suicide. I believe that we never know when our expression of kindness & caring - whether a smile, a compliment, helping with coins or a door held open - may have made a difference in someone's life for a moment, a day or even longer.
When in The Villages, I've experienced a hefty dose of friendliness through smiles, waves & friendly conversations with strangers who often quickly become friends. Genuine smiles always lift my spirits! Wave and smile away!! But as others have stated, if not returned, don't assume it's because someone is hateful and rude - I'm sure we all miss opportunities! Just continue enjoying your day - who knows, you may have made a difference to someone along the way! :)

We call people that don’t waive back or say hi, the unfriendlies.

Many people who spent years in corporate america, especially those who spent a vertain amount of time in HQ and Regional HQ offices, were "trained" by example to develop the "hallway stare". That is, en route from one meeting to another, they could pass a gaggle of people along a hallway and NEVER make eye contact with any of them. They then digressed to passing a single person in that hallway and looked straight through them, but never at them. A well meaning Hi, How's it going, were never returned.

It is incredibly refreshing to quickly develop greeters / wavers wrist problem by waving to nearly everyone you pass by in the Villages. I would say the people that still practice the hallway stare are less than 5% here.

:1rotfl: :1rotfl: :1rotfl: :1rotfl: That's a pretty aggressive way to go about being nice!!! :1rotfl::1rotfl:

In Hawaii too there are many Asians especially Japanese. I found a slight nod of the head makes them more receptive. Cultural differences, I guess.

Be careful when you buy things at City Furniture They refuse to take anything back once it leaves the store. Not very friendly is it for being in the friendliest city! Not only that but they do not even tell you when you buy something from them they have this policy..Read the fine print! We did not.

I’ve had a two strike rule when I was at work. I See someone I say, “Hi or Hello “ if I got no response from them no problem, when I see same person I’ll say “ hi or hello “ again, no response, next time I see them I see them as invisible and walk by and say nothing. If perchance a person says hello to me, I’ve always responded with “ Hi how are you ? “ Many conversations have come from that meeting as well as many friends.

My husband and I spent a month in the Villages last May, and found most everyone to especially friendly. With a population as large as The Villages, I suppose it is normal to say that there will always be a few who simply can't be bothered to spread some cheer. I have noticed there are some very arrogant posts on TOTV, that must be attached to "someone", so that's one possibility. I do think also though, some perhaps have health issues weighing heavily on their mind perhaps, and so their personal issues at hand may prevent them from being super friendly at the time. We personally find The Villages to be a very friendly community, especially compared to where my husband and I are coming from.

Monaghan Country Music Festival 2016 - Highlights - YouTube

I did not know where to post this. I stumbled on it and am hoping someone here knows better how to share it.

Please watch the children; they are awesome.

I dare you to watch this twice and not make yourself a drink, lol

Who says older people can't teach younger to have a good time

ENJOY, All of us Americans; new or old; let's get together!!