I'm with you folks. I think saving chairs IS self centered and ignorant. But I don't understand where you want me to insert the word "alleged". I work at LSL as a vendor on Tues and Thurs evenings. I get there to set up at 3:30. I'm sorry but the chairs everybody is talking about don't get there till 4 pm when the maintenance staff delivers them on 4-wheelers and trailers. There are no chairs set up when I get there. The roped off area is to keep a space on the dance floor so the people don't set their chairs up there, usually in the rear of the stage, leaving room for more dancers.

I agree with Indy. It's a social cancer. "If you snooze, you lose" attitude taken to extremes of uncivil behavior.

Unless a dedicated group of Villagers actually got together and arrived at a set time at the Squares and as a group removed these arrogant items and stayed there as a group, nothing is going to happen here. We're preaching to the choir, folks.

Now, if somehow before the build out, the powers that be find evidence of TV'ers telling outsiders (prospective buyers) of the unchecked unfriendliness and rudeness of Florida's friendliest townspeople maybe a real effort will be made to end this piggish selfishness.

The population is too big now for these venues to continue this way. The merchants don't care and won't themselves stop the seat saving. Didn't this come up several months ago? Wasn't it then put to bed by the events staff removing the attempted 'seat saving items' and ropes etc? What happened? Did they just stop?

Phew - glad I'm just in it for the golf.

I said " Alleged " simply because when someone is or a group is " Accused " here in the USA we have to be ...." Innocent " until " Proven " Guilty even though the camera shows everything is there the Judge say's how do you plead " Not Guilty " hence " Alleged ". This chair saving crap is totally out of control especially at Spanish Springs. Sumter is much more shall I say Civilized. A Blanket Party as I mentioned would sort this out real quick !!

I agree with this response sometimes, ya learn " It's the easy way "... then.. hey ... unfortunately ya learn " The hard way " time to take action folks . I'm In.. Ba Bye Cushions, Ropes, La de Da , The Honeymoon is OVER !!!

They save seats at workout classes too. And at the gym on bikes for several other people. Good Grief! Are these people 13 yrs old or something? How ridiculous!

Saving chairs is one of my BIG pet peeves!!!!!!!! My husband and I have all but quit going to the squares for the music and the special events because of all the hassle, and rudeness. We were at SS one day with friends who have a disabled adult child to watch the German parade. We tried to find a seat near the stage, but all were "saved". So we went over to the area on the street blocked off for the parade. We started talking to several people and found out that a big group of people had some of the "reserved" over near the stage, and had also brought some cheap lawn chairs that they sat up om the street. So not only were they saving a seat, but they were now taking up more space and blocking some people from viewing the parade. They seemed nice at first, but when the parade got close, they kept getting in front of my friends son, not caring that he wouldn't be able to see. I moved him up a bit, and they then moved their chairs right in front of him again. I just thought it was so mean of them to be taking up 2 spaces, and then knowing put themselves in front of a person in a wheelchair. The only fair way to do it is to make everyone bring their own chairs, and not allow saving. That would also eliminate the problem of people taking your seat when you get up to dance or get a drink. I also have my doubts about how much money non villagers actually spent in the shops. Even on market night, I never see many people walking around with shopping bags, so I wonder if anyone has actually done a study to see how many sells they have in the evening verses daytime . Just saying....

I think they should remove all the chairs. That will stop the saving. Make it BYOC!

If you are the kind of person that would not save chairs, you are the kind of person that would NOT take things off of chairs in order to sit on them.


There is a huge geographic difference in our attitudes and upbringing.


I don't know why there aren't signs posted, no chair saving, BUT then that means staff would have to have some kind of altercation with those people who would do it anyway.


Carrying chairs there, even light weight ones is increasingly difficult as age sets in.


I stopped going to exercise class when I would go in and take a place, not marked in any way and be told that was THEIR place by a person coming in later.


At art class, I would arrive and find a place to be told also by a late arriver that that table was theirs.


It makes me angry and it makes me frustrated and frankly it baffles me.

I was once told at a yoga class that I was in "their" spot ..... I simply said "not today"

If I get to the square before the entertainment begins and the only chairs available are tied together with rope or grocery bags I just remove those items and put them in the scrubs nearby. Then relocate the chair with me in it. Even if someone pointed you out just deny it. No saving chairs if no one in the party is there.

Just bring a squeeze bottle of Honey with you next time you go to find a seat! That should be a good show.

:coolsmiley:Totally Brilliant Idea !! Love It...You must be a practical joker :a040:

Best solution so far!!!!:boxing2::evil6:

Love that quote, it is the only thing that will stop those kind of people!

Seats at the squares should be for villages residents and their guests during peak winter times. Village ID should be plainly visible, so it can be checked easily. Why should outsiders come in and take seats and residents have none. JMO

Because the squares are open to the public, as are all the roads, stores and restaurants.

That is so true. The squares are open to all. That is a good thing.


I don't think anything can help with the seat saving everywhere. I just wait until the population drops and go to art class, exercise class and to the squares.


But the attitude of me first, and winning through intimidation makes my blood boil.


Sometime us non confrontational ones will figure out how to handle this without sinking to their level.


If we put honey on the seats than the staff would have to clean it up. Not fair.

At every grammar school show for years first few rows were saved saved in auditorium by some moms at lunchtime for 7 pm show. One person saving twenty seats by putting clothes,paper or tissues on them .

Swore I would never enable anyone in thinking this is in any way recognized.you would be surprised how empowering it is to cut the rope/ tip the clothes and tissues off and sit yourself down.

Only a behind saves a seat. The only way to stop saving is to ignore it and sit down!

Yes, the squares are open to the public but I still think the chairs should first go to the residents outsiders should bring their own chairs.

Why? Amenities do not pay for chairs.
I don't think the seat saving is being done by "outsiders" (JMHO)...

We bought our own chairs before and tied them together with an inexpensive jacket. Not sure if that can be done anymore but that's been our solution and friends too.