[twoas1@comcast.net]

oh...this reply is precious. Of course you can try to save chairs and when someone asks the cute little representative, if someone is sitting there, then at least someone is sitting there to tell people, yes, they are saved, and sorry. With a gentle repore, it is hard to respond negatively. Maybe we should rent cute little girls to sit in the chairs for us. hee hee. I think a sign in the square would be all we need as a non-confrontational reminder to string and cushion chair-savers.

[bobbym]

Just cut the string and find a seat where you can view the savers seats. That happened to a seat saver last night and when the seat saver showed up and found people sitting in her row of seats she put on a show that her Grand children will never forget.

[Radioman41]

We were on a cruise ship several years ago and encountered a similar problem. People would put towels, books, and other items on chairs around the pool early in the morning to reserve seats then leave the pool area to do other things. The ship staff would announce over and over on the PA system that reserving seats is not allowed. The staff would collect all the towels and personal items and put them in a box for people to root through and find their items - they were not happy campers. It didn't solve the problem but did free up seats.

I wonder what would happen if The Villages did the same thing?

[Sandtrap328]

Originally Posted by twoas1@comcast.net

Orange Vests people need to be more vigilant when there are 300 people in a small area. More and more people are coming to the squares. No injuries so far in confrontations in seat-saving but it will happen. Wow, I can see the headlines now, "Fights and drunken brawls break out among Seniors in the sunshine state, in The Villages." Management and owners, take care. These headlines won't ONLY be in the Daily Sun! Check out Fox and CNN, plus Youtube and facebook when social media get hold of such news. When you have liquor and crowds like last night, you are going to have to quell arguments before they happen. If you don't believe a policy needs to be reinforced, then coolers should be allowed in the squares.

I do not know how long you have been in The Villages. I have lived here 5 years. There always is a large crowd when Rocky plays! In snowbird season, the Rocky crowds are HUGE. There is always seat saving when Rocky plays! Get there early around 3, plop yourself in your own chair with a good book and wait. No problem.

I have not seen shoving or fighting at any square by anyone for any reason! I have seen plenty of coolers brought to the squares - including my own. No problem! I have seen people sitting in their golf cart sipping a drink ticketed by police!

Go to the squares early, chill out, and enjoy The Villages!

[twoas1@comcast.net]

You are so right. Maybe, "Please, no PRE-SHOW saving of Seats" Then as time goes along, people know that if one person is sitting in one chair and saving 2 others, it is common courtesy to assume those people are earnest in saving those seats and not chair hogging without representation. It is very easy for anyone to understand which chairs have been abandoned, an which chairs are temporarily left open. BUT then again, we are counting on the hearts of others to be honest and kind. I think most of us retirees are laid back enough to understand and do what is right.

[zonerboy]

I agree. Seat saving at the squares, or at any free event open to the public, is rude and obnoxious behavior.
Just have one question. Who is this "management" that posters are expecting to do something about it?

[spring_chicken]

There are also many rude ones who don't save seats. They come and stand directly between me and the stage while I'm sitting on one of the benches watching the show. One stood with her fanny no less than 2 feet from my face, as I sat hoping that they didn't eat at Ay Jalisco.

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by Radioman41

We were on a cruise ship several years ago and encountered a similar problem. People would put towels, books, and other items on chairs around the pool early in the morning to reserve seats then leave the pool area to do other things. The ship staff would announce over and over on the PA system that reserving seats is not allowed. The staff would collect all the towels and personal items and put them in a box for people to root through and find their items - they were not happy campers. It didn't solve the problem but did free up seats.

I wonder what would happen if The Villages did the same thing?

That would be a good start. First use a collection bin for all the cushions, strings, and rope. After one week start putting them in the trash. Doubtful it would work but it would be worth a shot. Quite frankly there is no rules enforcement.

[Polar Bear]

Just curious...what if somebody comes to the squares and the only empty seats are in a long row of reserved seats. They simply remove a couple cushions or move the string and sit down. The seat savers would not have a leg to stand on. I can't believe they would make a scene. Is this ever done?

[Sandtrap328]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

Just curious...what if somebody comes to the squares and the only empty seats are in a long row of reserved seats. They simply remove a couple cushions or move the string and sit down. The seat savers would not have a leg to stand on. I can't believe they would make a scene. Is this ever done?

I have not seen it done in my 5 years here. You are right that "they would not have a leg to stand on" but you very well might start a loud arguement with a stranger. Why bother with that? Get there early, sit down in your own chair, have a beer, talk with others, make a new friend and relax.

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by spring_chicken

There are also many rude ones who don't save seats. They come and stand directly between me and the stage while I'm sitting on one of the benches watching the show. One stood with her fanny no less than 2 feet from my face, as I sat hoping that they didn't eat at Ay Jalisco.

I would not hope for that either....

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328

I do not know how long you have been in The Villages. I have lived here 5 years. There always is a large crowd when Rocky plays! In snowbird season, the Rocky crowds are HUGE. There is always seat saving when Rocky plays! Get there early around 3, plop yourself in your own chair with a good book and wait. No problem.

I have not seen shoving or fighting at any square by anyone for any reason! I have seen plenty of coolers brought to the squares - including my own. No problem! I have seen people sitting in their golf cart sipping a drink ticketed by police!

Go to the squares early, chill out, and enjoy The Villages!

Sitting in the seat isn't saving it. If you leave some property on it and leave, that's saving it and is RUDE and unacceptable......I don't care how long anyone has lived here.

[tuccillo]

I believe there is a fundamental difference between roping off a bunch of seats with string as opposed to putting a cushion on a seat. If the seats are roped off then there is clearly nobody using the seats and they are obnoxiously being reserved. With cushions, as far as I know, the person is actively using the seat and perhaps just went to the rest room or went to get a drink. However, if you see 20 seats in a row with cushions you can probably assume the same obnoxious behavior as is a string was put up. I would not touch someone's cushions. If you removed someone's string, I would not see an issue although I personally would not do it.

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

Just curious...what if somebody comes to the squares and the only empty seats are in a long row of reserved seats. They simply remove a couple cushions or move the string and sit down. The seat savers would not have a leg to stand on. I can't believe they would make a scene. Is this ever done?

[JRichm369]

Most people are reasonable, if the position of the governing body is that saving seats is forbidden then reasonable people will at least reluctantly comply. Unreasonable people are unreasonable, and will hopefully remain in the minority.

[Bogie Shooter]

Posting all these suggestions on this forum may make you feel good but will accomplish nothing. A poll will also accomplish nothing.
The squares entertainment is controlled by the The Villages Entertainment Department.
You can send them an email with your concerns/suggestions, maybe if enough emails are sent something will happen...................

CONTACT - The Villages Entertainment * Special Events * Box Office