[Djean1981]

I totally agree we should be friendly to everyone. It's good to frequently leave the "bubble" to shop and visit restaurants and chit chat with others. However I live here, probably for the next 20-30 years.. I'm not a guest.

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

For some unknown reason The Villages and the people in it seem to get a bad rap even national wide, and I heard that is before moving here from up north.

Some refer to people in TV with having more money than brains coming from various service people that come in from the outside. They say those people are dumm and wealthy enough to take the first quote and pay too much.

Some say people from the New England states are snobs, terrible drivers and think Florida
owes them moving here.

I believe we all heard before some of this before

So true about what people say.

I can assure you (and them) I am NOT rich - LOL! My wife and I both drive cars over 11 years old, not because we can't afford a new one but there are other things we prefer and those cars are still good, nice and reliable.

Not to long ago I was making a living by driving a cash register in a convince store in Phoenix.

There are some here are "well off", maybe a few that are "rich", but my experience is most are closer to what USED TO BE called middle class to upper middle class.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

That word "entitled" seems to be the point of view held by a number of the non-Villagers in the area. Like any stereotype, it is undoubtedly outgrown its origins but it is still there. One incident I was made aware of was one where a local stopped at one of the markets in TV do do some shopping before going home. According to this person a woman shopper in the store, apparently a Villager, asked the manager to make the person leave because he was apparently sweaty after working all day. Whether or not this is true or not is open to question but it was said with some emotion so I believe it. This person also added that there are locals who live near TV, that drive to Ocala to shop to avoid having contact with Villagers.

Scary, to think that such attitudes exist.

////////

[Djean1981]

Good. I don't sense a discord either. Many people you see working outside The Villages (like at Dollar General) actually live in The Villages.

[Djean1981]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

////////

I don't believe that .

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Dond1959

The OP is spot on with his assessment. Being one of the few here born and raised in North Florida it is more of a South Georgia culture than the rest of Florida. South Florida is nothing like the small communities that dot North Florida such as Wildwood and Lady Lake and even Ocala. It definitely depends on how you treat the people who perform services and keep this place running. Engaging them and treating them respectfully will go a long way. Unfortunately there are a good number who demand and bully and give the Villagers a bad name. I always talk to anyone who comes out for a few minutes and talk about being raised and born in north Florida. It is amazing you can see them relax and open up when I talk to them.

I have only been here 4 years but I have unfortunately seen a lot of clueless Villagers. One example was at a restaurant recently. It was crowded and there were 3 of us waiting for the hostess to get a second to help us. Well, here comes a loud guy pushing his way in front of everyone and demanding he be helped. The hostess handled it well and had him wait until the others were helped. The guy was completely clueless that he did anything. You see it on social media all the time when someone doesn’t receive “perfect” service they hammer the business. Unfortunately I think those that feel entitled never recognize when they are acting like a spoiled brat.

The restaurant incident can be experienced anywhere…………..not that unusual.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Djean1981

I don't believe that .

Probably wouldn’t have believed what was deleted.👿

[Djean1981]

Definitely not... ������

[Taltarzac725]

We became Rome and many roads for retirees lead here.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

For some unknown reason The Villages and the people in it seem to get a bad rap even national wide, and I heard that is before moving here from up north.

Some refer to people in TV with having more money than brains coming from various service people that come in from the outside. They say those people are dumm and wealthy enough to take the first quote and pay too much.

Some say people from the New England states are snobs, terrible drivers and think Florida
owes them moving here.

I believe we all heard before some of this before

All that national negativity proves, in my opinion, is that sensationalism and sleaze sells far better than rainbows and unicorns. Articles that talk about hobby clubs and water aerobics might be good for travel brochures or the occasional Sunday supplement magazine, but the REAL money is in stories and shows about alcohol abuse, key clubs and rampant STDs, regardless of whether they're true or not.

More concerning should be the attitudes of the people next door, not the people on the other side of the continent.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

So true about what people say.

I can assure you (and them) I am NOT rich - LOL! My wife and I both drive cars over 11 years old, not because we can't afford a new one but there are other things we prefer and those cars are still good, nice and reliable.

Not to long ago I was making a living by driving a cash register in a convince store in Phoenix.

There are some here are "well off", maybe a few that are "rich", but my experience is most are closer to what USED TO BE called middle class to upper middle class.

How fast did that register go!

[La lamy]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Something that's becoming more and more apparent the longer we live here, is the (for want of a better word) disconnect between Villagers and locals. It is not too noticeable in TV, though there are some exceptions, but I've been making it a point to meet and talk to locals (golf course workers, yard service workers, pest control), and have made some friends outside TV, and there is a definite "us against them" attitude. Not on the part of everyone, to be sure; maybe not even on the part of a majority, but enough. Mostly it seems to be a benign mistrust, but on the part of some it is definite antipathy, bordering on hatred. But in general the prevailing feeling seems to be that we Villagers look down on the people who were born and raised here, or who come here for the laborer jobs.

I do my own yard work. A couple of weeks ago I was out mowing, drenched with sweat, then the trash collectors came; a couple of Hispanic men. I shut down the mower and asked "how ya doin"? The driver, noticing that I was bagging the clippings said "Your grass..I take!". I laughed and said I'd save it for the next pickup. They both laughed and continued on their way. Now every time they see me, they make sure to wave. The point? I am dead sure they'd never treat me in a friendly fashion if I hadn't made the first (positive) move.

We're the guests here. My thought is that we bear the lion's share of the responsibility in doing what we can to keep Villager-Local relations friendly. We live in a bubble, but that bubble has boundaries, and if those people peering into the bubble from the outside or meet our service needs inside don't like us or even actively hate us...well, that's uncomfortable. And it could conceivably be, in some circumstances, dangerous.

What can we do to make it less so?

Having been raised in a middle class setting where we were taught to do ALL types of work without having to dish out labor costs, sure taught me to never look down on anyone that does an honest day's of hard work. I once chopped down a whole rotting banana tree in TV and helped the garbage men load it in the truck. Showing respect for all is the way to go in my book.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by La lamy

Having been raised in a middle class setting where we were taught to do ALL types of work without having to dish out labor costs, sure taught me to never look down on anyone that does an honest day's of hard work. I once chopped down a whole rotting banana tree in TV and helped the garbage men load it in the truck. Showing respect for all is the way to go in my book.

In a nutshell.

[Michael G.]

Here's one jester people forget about on a hot day,
offer service people doing service at your house, a bottle of water.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Here's one jester people forget about on a hot day,
offer service people doing service at your house, a bottle of water.

Do that all the time. Rather hot here during the summer