[ditzyfitzy]

Is it just MY neighborhood--or do others experience the same thing?
I mean--the hatred and intolerance here of diversity--is really something!

[ditzyfitzy]

Originally Posted by pooh

Goodness, who the heck do you hang out with???

Oh, I have no doubt you've met people you've described and honestly, I've met some like that, too....but I encountered more like that in places other than here. Sorry you've had such a negative experience. Good luck on your newest and upcoming adventure.

It's NOT the people who I hang out with---it's just that I have only met a FEW that have similar "value systems" to mine......I think that my neighborhood is a typical one---(in Hemingway)...and the people here are openly bigoted, anti-gay..anti ANYTHING that isn't white and military---that I find it quite astonishing!!! A few of my neighbors even have GUNS underneath their beds....very strange to me! I would never even DREAM of owning a gun...but, is it really necessary in TV?

[pooh]

Originally Posted by ditzyfitzy

It's NOT the people who I hang out with---it's just that I have only met a FEW that have similar "value systems" to mine......I think that my neighborhood is a typical one---(in Hemingway)...and the people here are openly bigoted, anti-gay..anti ANYTHING that isn't white and military---that I find it quite astonishing!!! A few of my neighbors even have GUNS underneath their beds....very strange to me! I would never even DREAM of owning a gun...but, is it really necessary in TV?

Oh my goodness! There are bigoted people in many communities....and I guess you've had the misfortune to meet some who live here...bummer, that's for sure.

Some only feel secure with firearms. Have a friend who has a pistol and will not give up having it around. Some have had guns from other locations they've lived in and it has become one of their forms of security I imagine. Even if it's not needed, giving up something that provides a sense of comfort and safety, well....that's not easy.

Have you met more that are bigoted than not? Do you feel it important to get away from them? You are obviously upset by these people....and I hope, wherever you might go, you'll not encounter that attitude in a new location. Guess I just sort of ignore those type of people.

TV isn't perfect, it's not to everyone's liking. Sorry it's not to yours.

[ditzyfitzy]

I am sure that there ARE bigoted people in all communities---but, I have never met so MANY in one place before! Don't EVEN want to get into politics...but, there are a LOT of tea-party folks here...and their intolerance and what I can only call IGNORANCE...is astonishing to me. When I try to engage in factual conversation ....they say that they don't "want the facts"...that they get all they need to know from "FOX NOISE".

My fibromyalgia is much better in the warmer climate...and that is why I left the Cleveland area to come to FL. I am hoping that someplace closer to a larger city---maybe Sarasota---I will find more diversity...more culture...more "enlightenment"???

[momesu]

Originally Posted by ditzyfitzy

I am sure that there ARE bigoted people in all communities---but, I have never met so MANY in one place before! Don't EVEN want to get into politics...but, there are a LOT of tea-party folks here...and their intolerance and what I can only call IGNORANCE...is astonishing to me. When I try to engage in factual conversation ....they say that they don't "want the facts"...that they get all they need to know from "FOX NOISE".

My fibromyalgia is much better in the warmer climate...and that is why I left the Cleveland area to come to FL. I am hoping that someplace closer to a larger city---maybe Sarasota---I will find more diversity...more culture...more "enlightenment"???

I am so sorry this has been your experience in TV. Like you I am more liberal than much of Central FL and TV, but I have been fortunate I guess to not encounter what you have. In fact I have been pleasantly at how many like minded people I have met since moving here. I have met many more conservative they are not bigots by any definition, just conservative. Also I have been very impressed with the number out reach programs people I have met are in. Maybe it is just the type of clubs I have joined and the church I have joined but I have found TV to be so much more than what I expected it to be which I guess is what you've encountered. Like I said I am so sorry you have had a negative experience here, but there really is a wonderfully caring and sharing group of TVer's out there.

Suzanne

[ditzyfitzy]

Thanks, Susanne...

[pooh]

Originally Posted by ditzyfitzy

I am sure that there ARE bigoted people in all communities---but, I have never met so MANY in one place before! Don't EVEN want to get into politics...but, there are a LOT of tea-party folks here...and their intolerance and what I can only call IGNORANCE...is astonishing to me. When I try to engage in factual conversation ....they say that they don't "want the facts"...that they get all they need to know from "FOX NOISE".

My fibromyalgia is much better in the warmer climate...and that is why I left the Cleveland area to come to FL. I am hoping that someplace closer to a larger city---maybe Sarasota---I will find more diversity...more culture...more "enlightenment"???

Glad you're fibromyalgia feels better in the warm climate, but sorry you're encountering so many with, well, almost closed minds. There are clubs with different attitudes about politics....open forums where discussion takes place without hatred or malice. Politics is a taboo subject for me, I'm not that well versed in it and I'd only be feeding a troll.... .....let them feed somewhere else..lol.

People move here with the feelings and attitudes from whence they came many times. Their way is the only way, their belief is the correct one....nothing will change their minds. For them, from me it's a smile and little interaction....heck, I'm probably not the type of person they want to hang around with, anyway.
Again, I'm sorry you're experiencing a less than homey feeling here. Sarasota is nice, my son and his family lived there for years....they loved it. If you do move, I hope you find just what your heart needs and desires.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by ditzyfitzy

It's NOT the people who I hang out with---it's just that I have only met a FEW that have similar "value systems" to mine......I think that my neighborhood is a typical one---(in Hemingway)...and the people here are openly bigoted, anti-gay..anti ANYTHING that isn't white and military---that I find it quite astonishing!!! A few of my neighbors even have GUNS underneath their beds....very strange to me! I would never even DREAM of owning a gun...but, is it really necessary in TV?

DO NOT....I REPEAT.....DO NOT.....sign up for the politics board.

[rubicon]

Well once again open and honest dialogue detoriates into a diatribe. While no one has appointed me ambassador I cannot let stand a perception about the type of people who reside here in TV. For the past six years I can count on one hand the number of people, living in TV, I'd rather not be around...but even then in their presence each and every time I remained cordial. As I have been taught feelings are neither right or wrong ,but rather, it is how I react to those feelings that matter.

As the years pass quickly I am repeatedly convinced that the only emotion to embrace is the love for my family and giving them my undivided attention because in the end that is all that really matters.

[pooh]

Originally Posted by rubicon

Well once again open and honest dialogue detoriates into a diatribe. While no one has appointed me ambassador I cannot let stand a perception about the type of people who reside here in TV. For the past six years I can count on one hand the number of people, living in TV, I'd rather not be around...but even then in their presence each and every time I remained cordial. As I have been taught feelings are neither right or wrong ,but rather, it is how I react to those feelings that matter.

As the years pass quickly I am repeatedly convinced that the only emotion to embrace is the love for my family and giving them my undivided attention because in the end that is all that really matters.

[graciegirl]

I don't like the political forum. I don't like to be where people can't TRY to find some common ground and embrace their similariities. Accepting diversity, to me... means trying peacefully to live with everyone, even with those with whom you disagree politically and with whom you don't share religious views or background.

I, like Pooh, try NOT to get into discussions with people about politics. You will never change their minds or your own.

Accepting their diversity (to me) means accepting that their life experiences have brought them to their current opinion.

[swimdawg]

Okay....okay kids...I never thought it would come to this. Now back to my question.....

Is TV all you thought it would be???

C'mon.....let's hear from some of you who rarely post. I can see you out there....reading this thread...with my x-ray vision.

[Moderator]

OK, folks, let's get back on topic and try to keep politics out of this thread. If you want to discuss political leanings and attitudes of Villagers, please take it to the political forum.

Also, please discuss the topic and not the person making the post. Respect and civility, please.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by swimdawg

I posed this question to a new friend of mine. She gave me a very honest and insightful answer. She suggested that I ask this question on TOTV.

So...here goes: Is The Villages all you thought it would be? Please tell us how long you've been in TV....if you're a Frog or Snowbird/Snowflake. Maybe share with us if your feelings/thoughts about TV has changed with time?

Darn your x-ray vision, I thought I'd get away with just reading other people's posts. I've been here since 1999. I looked all over central Florida for a number of years but couldn't find any place that I felt I could relate to. When I started looking I was in my early to mid fifties and all I saw was a lot of "old" people. Now I'm 70 and I feel like I fit in, as far as age goes.

When I sold my house in a nearby small town, I had to make a fast decision. So I decided on the villages because I have a relative living here. I figured, "at least I know someone". But I didn't have any big expectations about the villages. I didn't think The Villages would make me happy. You're either a happy person or your not. Whatever you are, you bring it with you. So, I'm basically the same person today as I was when I came here.

About 98 percent of the time I'm content and happy.

To be continued:

[njbchbum]

am a bit like villages pl...we needed someplace to go to get out of the winter and we had several friends who lived in the villages...we had visited them on occasion and thoroughly enjoyed those visits so we had a good idea what it was all about.

as a youngster i grew up being judged by all i met...did my share of judging others, too...was asked by a college roomie 'who are you to judge?'' and quickly gave up the practice...so when we bought our snowbird retreat in the villages there were few expectations...and fewer judgements! we just accepted what came our way - graciously and with gratitude...even if what came our was was something less than we found acceptable or appropriate, we just took it for what it was worth and never let it bother us - even if it was a person!

life is too short to be upset by something or someone who is not like me. i love diversity because i learn so much from it. i may not like all of it - but i try very hard to learn from it. and the villages sure offers me diversity! i just hope that when i am there [and here on the forums] i offer my share of diversity gracefully.

i guess expectations have their place - like when you buy something or pay for a service - but beyond that, my experience has shown that high expectations lead to disappointment and low expectations lead to pleasant surprises...we all need some of each to stay balanced.