[VApeople]

Originally Posted by CarolSells

Put yourself in their shoes and try to have a little compassion. We are going to need these businesses to be alive and thriving when we get through this.

We agree, Carol.

Since Trump is gonna give us $2400 for sitting on our lanai, we are tipping much more than usual when we get take-out food at our favorite places, like Oakwood Express, Case Agave, Naples restaurant in Leesburg, and Piesanos. We had a great takeout crayfish roll from Edna's last evening and we will definitely be going back.

[stadry]

respect & courtesy are generally 2-way sts - add in 'life-threatening' as some are wont to do, i think it then becomes difficult for some to say -i should stay home !' & not risk MY life,,, then meld in self-absorption ( me - me - me ) & you wind up with ' i want it my way ' selfishness
as is any other, the strong will survive - the weak & stupid will leave behind a generally more intelligent population ( we trust )

[Dana1963]

We will and have frequently use businesses now we seem to be in the drivers seat. We have had some issues with certain establishments which we will not bash we just never return to them.
The issue for us now is how we are treated their employees are treated along with protective measures for all. After quarantine for 45 plus days we have found some businesses will need us more than we need them.
Its not quantity its QUALITY.

Originally Posted by CarolSells

I know that during these trying and uncertain times we are all using social media to rant and rave and report our experiences as we start to move around our community.

It seems to be obvious that [I]everyone[I] has an opinion about how we should be proceeding now and our business owners and managers are no different.

If you go to a place of business and they aren’t following what you think meets your individual standards you are free to leave and go elsewhere.

Let’s not come on here for the sole purpose of bashing and shaming them. Put yourself in their shoes and try to have a little compassion. We are going to need these businesses to be alive and thriving when we get through this.

Just my thoughts. Thanks.

[gpkk_2000]

You are spot on. I often wonder why people think they are a restaurant/retail critics, what credentials do they have? A bad experience one time does not indicate what they may provide on another day or time.

[gatorbill1]

Olive Garden Sunday, curbside pickup was totally safe and food was very good at reasonable prices.
Still not going back to Jersey Mike until they make it safer.
Better safe than sorry or dead.

[Holpat39]

No one wants to die from the flu or pneumonia but they do. Covid19 is no different. We don't all rush out and mask up when flu season is rampant when thousands die from those two illnesses. I do mask up when in a store but it comes off immediately when I leave the establishment. I will patronize a store even though their employee is not masked as long as I keep my 6 ft. or more away from them.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

It is nearly impossible to keep a 6 foot distance when a waiter/waitress is taking your order in a restaurant. I was not planning on wearing a mask once seated in a restaurant. The wait staff come and go while the patrons are eating and drinking. I just can not imagine having to place my mask on and off every time the wait staff comes to the table. Having said that, I do expect the wait staff to always wear a mask when serving patrons. I'm not protecting the wait staff but I expect them to protect me. It doesn't seem fair does it?

This is why we are not planning on eating at restaurants right now. Would not feel relaxed and comfortable so we are sticking with takeout that we can reheat as necessary.

[davem4616]

The OP makes a lot of sense

we are all living through something that we've never ever experienced before...
we're pioneers blazing a new trail (okay let's not all start wearing coonskin hats and 'packing' everywhere we go)

we were already a nation divided...this covid-19 virus is pushing some of us even further to the edge

common sense must prevail and guide our behavior

we are all in this together, so let's act like it

every life matters, we need to be respectful for others...we have no idea what they are
dealing with personally....the folks working in restaurants and retail need our help and our support....without them and those businesses life in TV would be pretty darn different...that said, do what you feel is safe for you

I keep humming that song "Be Happy, Don't Worry"....but sometimes Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are a Changing" pops into my head....as long as "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition" doesn't start playing in my head I guess I'll get through this

[LG999]

Thanks for these thoughts.

I notice that people in general are becoming a lot more self centered and a lot less understanding of others. A self centered attitude creates an unpleasant environment. Why carry hate & anger around? At our age people should be capable of looking outside themselves

We are neighbors in a community.

[LG999]

But could you be constructive & supportive about it?

[Joe C.]

My wife and I have been to Darrel's in SS several times since their re-opening. She went to pay and had a gift card to use. I told her to put it away and use cash, as most business' need time to get back on their feet. Wait a month or two before using the gift card.
BTW....Darrel's has absolutely the best bacon I have ever tasted.

[kendi]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Carol I know you and I know you didn't mean to sound unfair. We can't forget we are in an unprecedented situation and people's lives are REALLY at risk. There are so many unfounded rumors and so much incorrect information floating about that everyone is tense and on edge and even worse, some are following some rather aggressive groups who are angered by their "loss of freedom". I see it as a medical emergency, with the facts not yet well researched and established, AND a terrible financial disaster as well, where peoples means to put food on their tables is being thwarted by the lack of customers who fear for their lives.

It's a mess and if people are a bit snarky, they have reason to be. No one wants to die, or lose someone to the virus and no one wants to see real people's businesses tank, or watch the worlds economy fail and witness the terrible disaster that would bring.

It is called being between a rock and a hard place.

People can be kind and afraid at the same time. Opinions can be stated respectfully. There is no reason to be snarky, there is no reason to spread the negativity to others through social media.

[kendi]

Originally Posted by Joe C.

My wife and I have been to Darrel's in SS several times since their re-opening. She went to pay and had a gift card to use. I told her to put it away and use cash, as most business' need time to get back on their feet. Wait a month or two before using the gift card.
BTW....Darrel's has absolutely the best bacon I have ever tasted.

Yum, is their bacon crispy?

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by gpkk_2000

A bad experience one time does not indicate what they may provide on another day or time.

After a bad experience at a restaurant, most of us never go back.

Over four years ago my wife got pretty sick and prayed to the porcelain god after having a dinner at Lake Sumter Landing and we have never even considered going back.

[Scorpyo]

Originally Posted by DDVeteran

Naldo's on 466, every server wearing a mask. Bravo in Lake Sumter, no server or cook wearing a mask.

Although Naldo's employees wear masks they might not want to or even believe they have any effect. But the bottom line is they make customers, who think masks work, feel more comfortable. Smart business owner. Bravo, on the other hand, apparently doesn't care about the people who are, rightly or wrongly, concerned that the lack of masks are a danger. It bothers me when a business outwardly shows a lack of concern for a segment of the population especially when "acting" as though you care doesn't really cost you anything.