And put a small sign on the back of every chair that says No Seat Saving!

If the villages has policy of not saving seats at the centers, they should have a process in place for enforcing the policy.

From an ABC news story on seat saving on cruises;

Saving Seats at the Pool: OK or Not OK? - ABC News

My husband and I took a friend to Spanish Springs in August, there were four empty chairs right up front which we headed for. We weren't five feet away when a man in a big cowboy hat got up and waved us off. He said "these seats are taken" I said" we'll get up when they get here." Sat there for more than an hour and no one showed up. I'm not confrontational but that really annoyed me especially after telling my friend how "friendly" people in TV are. Perhaps that's the way to go? I will admit I was pretty nervous sitting there--didn,t want a confrontation. If someone had shown up after an hour I would like to think I would have stood my ground. It's time for someone to correct the situation before it becomes worse.

Indeed interesting. The problem I see is the fact that 14% of people think it's OK to "save" a seat indefinitely. It just galls me how rude people can be.

Thanks for sharing the interesting article.

Folks please remember this. The Squares are Public. Seat Saving is an announced policy i.e... They announce it at the beginning of the entertainments set to hope that people will just respect the announcement! Just like No coolers, No Pets in the square and please watch and control your children. Well how many of these policies are actually followed also! The only enforcement on public property is the Law enforcement for that area. Seat saving is a policy .. not a law and our local law enforcement will not respond to a seat complaint. They will however react to the complications (as was originally posted here). Folks remember you are dealing with not just Villagers but anyone who wants to attend these functions. That's why we have the announcements but lets face not everyone listens! so lets as Villagers, Take the higher road and before we yell, gripe or argue... remember they might not have heard the Announcement!

This is the same attitude that brings us, unauthorized parking in handicap spaces, talking in a theater, and illegally cutting down trees. Most of us don't like confrontation, but ignoring issues just allows them to escalate into violent outcomes. There have only been a few reported instances thus far, however, I suspect there had been many more , unreported.

The saving seats issues will never be resolved. Too many people who are inconsiderate or selfish, tends to ruin other's experiences, at the squares.

Human nature hasn't changed in 3,000 years and you expect it to start now?

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

On the other hand, a family member had too much too drink and a nice gentlemen, (Dan), offered to help carry him from his chair, to a car, as he was very unstable on his feet.

Some people are so nice.

BTW - I know what you are thinking, it wasn't me!!!!

No, but that is why we live by the RULE OF LAW, not by whatever whim any individual has at the moment.

So IF there is a rule (not a law) against seat saving, either enforce it or get rid of it.
As far as enforcement goes, my understanding is that the roads in the squares are public, but the square itself (where the seats are) is privately owned but OPEN to the public. This makes it similar to a retail store. If you behave inappropriately at Walmart, they can BAN you from entering, even though it is OPEN to the PUBLIC. If this is true, there certainly is an enforcement option, for both residents and non-residents

Well stated. I agree, and would add that at some point one incident will escalate into a catastrophe!

Maybe the young men are afraid that if they get up to assist then their seats will be stolen:-) Personally I have no problem of saving a couple of seats if the person for whom the seat was saved arrives on time when the music starts. But an hour later? NO! We have a group who loves to dance in the square so we bring our own chairs. And if someone tried to take MY chair the police would need to be called. Rude people bring their rudeness with them to the friendliest hometown. "Wherever I go, there I am". Just another sign of the times. Parents, please raise your children to be responsible adults!

saved seats
 

A solution, at 4:30 a village employee will remove all ropes pillows and any other marker of a saved seat ant place it in a large tub to be reclaimed at the owners convenience.

I do not think you will see that happen - too confrontational. The Villages Employees barely enforce no chairs in the "aisles", and that is a safety issue.

I think a small subset of community watch employees with LEO experience wearing an official looking uniform and carrying a nightstick and a taser would probably not be confronted

Sounds good. Something should be done if for no other reason than common fairness. Just seeing chairs tied together creates a less favorable atmospheres for the majority. All around bad situation just to satisfy the selfishness of a minority.