[VT2TV]

I am sure I will be flamed for posting this, but this is only my opinion. We have lived in TV for almost 2 months. Before we moved we read about "the friendliest hometown". So we decided to move here. Now, we are very happy we moved and do love the area. BUT, we have not found it to be overly friendly at all, rather the opposite. The second week we were here we bought a golf cart. We were driving home after dark-in the cold rain, of course-and got lost. Imagine that WE pulled over off the path onto the grass, and were huddled sitting using a flashlight trying to read the map and figure out how to get home. We were passed by at least 10-15 golf carts, and NOT ONE cart stopped to offer help. I am female and was driving with my husband in passenger seat. Since then we have had too numerous to count occasions when people have blown horns at us and tailgated us when in our car. We drive the speed limit-not over and not under. I would be willing to bet that very few people in TV notice that the speed limit going into Spanish Springs is 10mph. We have had a lot of communication from people over that. Today, I drove the cart from El Camino to Pennecamp, and decided just for curiosity to do a test. I waved to every person I met or passed in the golf cart. It was VERY busy today, and my guess would be that I passed about 50-75 cars, golf cart, bicycles, and walkers. I smiled and waved and about 5 people returned my wave. Now I know you have to factor in many things--people who didn't see me, men who might not want to wave to a female alone in a cart, men with a woman with them who also didn't want to wave to anothe female, and people watching the road. But even with all that I think this was sad. I am very friendly-my nickname at work was Mary Sunshine because I am mostly optomistic. I do have to say that for the most part the people I actually meet are very friendly!!!! And some people ALWAYS wave=like the gate keepers And we could not ask for better neighbors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! Wonderful people!!!! So I am afraid that TV might be changing from the way it used to be. I think probably the reason that most affects the change is that more and more people in TV are renters, and for the most part (NOT ALL-so don't flame me) are not the same type of people who live here or plan to live here full time. With the place getting so large, it is bound to change some, but I am afraid that it is going to become a lot like a resort or time share. With such a large turn over, of course you aren't going to be able to get to know the people here like those of you who have been living, (and coming) here for years are used too. I also have heard that people are concerned that Brownwood will have a lot of potential "problem people" there-this info from residents and store employees. I sure hope not. But as more and more people stay here, the rules that have made this a wonderful place to live will eventially fall by the wayside, I am afraid. Already, too many people make comments about doing what they like and getting by with it.

Sorry this is so long, and remember this is only my opinion and observation-which doesn't claim to be right-just mine. I can guarantee that many or most of you will not agree with me, but that is ok, because this is just my opinion.

[redwitch]

VT, I'm sorry no one stopped to help you. I understand it was dark and raining and that does make it harder to stop, but I'm ashamed that no one offered to help you. I will admit that I hesitate to help someone when it gets dark, but if they are in obvious distress, I will. I'm not sure I would count getting lost as obvious distress, but I might help them, depending on timing, mood, etc.

As to the waving, that's just a shame. I don't necessarily wave, but I do nod my head and smile or raise my fingers from the steering wheel. Hopefully, there were some who did this but you didn't see them.

I don't think that the renters have increased by percentages. By numbers, yes, since there are more houses, but I think the ratio of homeowners to snowbirds/flakes to renters is probably pretty much the same. What you are finding now is the snowbirds. It takes them about a month to relax from being city dwellers with the stress of getting to work on time, etc. to the slower pace here. Once they settle in, things usually get back to being much more friendly. Usually by mid-February people are calmer and nicer. And, whether they wave or not, you have discovered that on a one-on-one meeting, they are friendly, which is rare is most communities.

Hopefully, your opinion will change to meet your past expectations.

[EdV]

While I certainly don’t condone the actions of the aggressor in this incident, I can understand his anger. Yesterday I was at the Wal-Mart loading my groceries into the trunk of my car. I looked up to see a woman waiting in her car for my parking space while holding up two other vehicles behind her. And she continued to wait while I emptied the shopping cart and then walked it all the way over to the cart return area and back.

How selfish and inconsiderate can someone be to think that it is her God given right to hold up everyone else while she waits for a parking space to become available. It just boggles my mind.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by EdVinMass

While I certainly don’t condone the actions of the aggressor in this incident, I can understand his anger. Yesterday I was at the Wal-Mart loading my groceries into the trunk of my car. I looked up to see a woman waiting in her car for my parking space while holding up two other vehicles behind her. And she continued to wait while I emptied the shopping cart and then walked it all the way over to the cart return area and back.

How selfish and inconsiderate can someone be to think that it is her God given right to hold up everyone else while she waits for a parking space to become available. It just boggles my mind.

Mine too, Edvin. I often wonder how they were raised.

Merry Christmas to you. I am so glad I finally got to meet you this year!!

[LI SNOWBIRD]

Originally Posted by Larry Wilson

Shirleevee,
You are soo right. We have lived here 7 years full time and the longer you live here, the more you will see things. Fights at the town centers, horn blowing, swearing, burglaries, stolen clubs and golf bags etc. We love it here but with this many people ( we're big) there is bound to be some jerks. The message is to be careful. Just this morning there was a car on the tail of another car blowing his horn and chasing him around the parking lot of Laurel Manor!! Have no idea how that ended!!

I'm remined of the Pogo quote, "We have met the enemy and he is us"

[Tweety Bird]

Originally Posted by Larryandlinda

Wonder if such a place would ever be the subject of a reality show!

We don't call it 'TV' for nothing!

Thank heavens it went back to 'normal'

L and L

THAT is brilliant!

[JimJoe]

Originally Posted by Xavier

I just knew it would go there!

X

I didnt take it there. It was there in post 12.
I do not think any of these problems have any connection with being licensed to carry.

[ijusluvit]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Within the law to threaten somone with a gun??

I was not referring to any threat, because it was not clearly established in the report that one was made. I was referring to "open carry" states, where a guy could get out of a car, be mad as hell, and display his holstered sidearm for all the world to see: and be entirely within the law.

Since I asked the question, I have found out that is the case at least in Arizona, Alaska and New Hampshire.

[Tbugs]

And if that guy even moved his hand toward the holstered pistol, he would be found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon.

Arizona, Alaska, and New Hampshire are definitely not typical of the USA - and hopefully any Villager from those states will have the smarts not to carry a pistol with them. No need for it here.

[GatorFan]

I park where there is a parking space. I figure the FEW extra steps are good for me. People fighting over a parking space to save a few feet of walking makes no sense to me.

[Pturner]

My experiences here so far have been that TV still is the friendliest of hometowns. There will always be a few bad apples. We also need to consider that for many people, for a variety of reasons, Christmas is an especially stressful time of year.

However, all of us who want TV to remain "Florida's friendliest hometown" can do much to make it so. Wave to everyone in their carts whether they wave back or not. Smile and say thank you to people in service jobs who help you. Strike up friendly conversations! Make a point of doing or saying something particularly kind for someone every day.

Let's do Pogo in reverse: "We have met the friendliest people ever... and they are us!"

Merry Christmas, dearest Villagers!

[getdul981]

Originally Posted by EdVinMass

While I certainly don’t condone the actions of the aggressor in this incident, I can understand his anger. Yesterday I was at the Wal-Mart loading my groceries into the trunk of my car. I looked up to see a woman waiting in her car for my parking space while holding up two other vehicles behind her. And she continued to wait while I emptied the shopping cart and then walked it all the way over to the cart return area and back.

How selfish and inconsiderate can someone be to think that it is her God given right to hold up everyone else while she waits for a parking space to become available. It just boggles my mind.

I would be tempted to go back in Wal-Mart, just for the heck of it. I like to walk thru the parking lot an aisle or two away from my car and watch the cars following me. Then I cross over a couple of aisles and see how they react.

[EdV]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

......Merry Christmas to you. I am so glad I finally got to meet you this year!!

You too GG.

[Larryandlinda]

Originally Posted by getdul981

I would be tempted to go back in Wal-Mart, just for the heck of it. I like to walk thru the parking lot an aisle or two away from my car and watch the cars following me. Then I cross over a couple of aisles and see how they react.

That's always fun and educational.
Since we don't use AC, we always park under the closest tree if available and usually several spaces from the congestion - ez in/out, fewer dings, and a little exercise!
An extra row or two, ten more spaces....what's that, maybe fifteen seconds?

Chill!

L and L

[Tbugs]

Linda and Larry,
You do not use air conditioning in your car? Why? I presume you do use A/C in your home in the hot times of the year. I came from Maryland and know the summers are more humid than in The Villages.