[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by Gretch298

I have lived in the Villages for 3 months now, what a wonderful place. I found a part time job that was a real eye opener. I have been treated like I have personally ruined your day because the store is out of your sale item. I smile and say I am sorry. I truely am sorry believe it or not. Last week when leaving my job I came out to a nasty dent in the side of my car. No one bothered to come in to the store to "look" for the owner of the car they hit. I hope they slept well that night, I didn't. I am your neighbor who smiles and says hello so when the lawn people come to do your lawn why do you allow them to park all over my lawn and block me in my driveway? I love it here and want to try hard to learn the ways but I think I am missing something? Any ideas?

You mention moving here just three months ago - unfortunately that would have brought you to The Villages at probably the worst time of the year. We are at capacity during January, February and March with seasonal owners and renters and our numbers swell to an almost impossible size and people get very testy about silly little things - It's rather like the experiments scientists have done with putting too many rats into too small a space, they end up eating their own! We are not quite at that point, but the year round residents are getting very close to that point!

Give it another two weeks and a good third or more of the people here will be on their way back to their primary homes up North and sanity will return to TV. Then in late May and early June the seasonal people will be gone and this heaven on earth will be ours, all ours, until about November when it will start all over again. You will be able to get into any restaurant without waiting in line, it's a pleasure to shop without being shoved and pushed, the driving gets far more relaxed - both golf cart and automobile, and we settle into the genteel southern way of living.

We have been full time residents for the past seven years and we love it, we love it more and more with each passing year and I am sure you will too once you have adjusted to the influx of winter visitors. I saw a great bumper sticker just last week "If they are called Snowbirds why can't we shoot them".

[westcoastsunshine]

A few years ago, one of my clients walked in and
asked me, "Are you always this happy?" She
did not ask this question with even a hint of humor.
I was kind of shocked at this response but replied,
"Yes...most of the time!"

My very first employer gave me 2 good pieces of
advice when dealing with clients:

1. If I have a fight with my boyfriend the night
before, park my attitude at the door before
I walk into work.

2. If people are mean to you, you are just the
convenient target. Usually, they are just angry
with some person or event in their personal life.

Please remember that it take a special person to work
in the service industry. YOU must be one of the
special ones. Keep smilin'.

WCS

[Mikeod]

Years ago, our medical group contracted with University of Phoenix to run training on patient interactions. They used members of their drama classes to pose as patients with bad attitudes, complaints, and just ornery. We were taped so we could critique our interaction with these "patients". The sessions were invaluable in adjusting our reaction to these people. If real patients complained about a provider's attitude or responses, the providers were required to re-take the training. If there were further, confirmed, complaints on the same provider, they were asked to take their skills elsewhere. (Patients were sent forms to be filled out after all their visits and returned anonymously to evaluate their their visit. We were required to maintain a 98% patient satisfaction rating.)

[The Village Girl]

Originally Posted by Gerald

And here I thought a car was a thing to move you from point A to B. Not something to worry about for a little dent. Things happen, I am sure that the person who accidently hit yor car didn't do it on purpose.
People everywere are some what up tight lately because of money. Then the fact that in the villages most people are a little older just tired. Forgetting that there are always two sides to things. we don't know what life and stress others are having. If you want to be in a place where you need to deal with the public then you have to accept that not everyone is perfect. A smile and sorry goes a long way for the majority. For some it just does not help. You just think about what they are missing. You can deside to be happy or sad. Let the little things go and amazing how the world looks better.

Would I be incorrect to say that you hit this car? Just a guess....

[Here2Stay]

Originally Posted by Gretch298

I have lived in the Villages for 3 months now, what a wonderful place. I found a part time job that was a real eye opener. I have been treated like I have personally ruined your day because the store is out of your sale item. I smile and say I am sorry. I truely am sorry believe it or not. Last week when leaving my job I came out to a nasty dent in the side of my car. No one bothered to come in to the store to "look" for the owner of the car they hit. I hope they slept well that night, I didn't. I am your neighbor who smiles and says hello so when the lawn people come to do your lawn why do you allow them to park all over my lawn and block me in my driveway? I love it here and want to try hard to learn the ways but I think I am missing something? Any ideas?

It' called the 'WORLD OF ME ME ME" Not all of us are ME ME ME, but yes, there are many not just here in the Villages, but everywhere. what happened...people just think life is all about them...and for those who get upset about a sale item out of stock....lord folks, get a life!

[lovsthosebigdogs]

I learned a wonderful lesson from my amazing father when I was a teenager. We were driving (he behind the wheel) and some guy zigzagged sharply in front of him, cut him off, then honked loudly and gave my dad the finger. I look at my dad to see his reaction to this and all my dad did was to say calmly, "Boy, HE must be having a really bad day!" That left me with a life lesson that I have used many times for myself and with my volatile special ed students. You just can't take most things in life personally- you'll live longer and be much happier if you don't. Thanks, Daddy.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by lovsthosebigdogs

I learned a wonderful lesson from my amazing father when I was a teenager. We were driving (he behind the wheel) and some guy zigzagged sharply in front of him, cut him off, then honked loudly and gave my dad the finger. I look at my dad to see his reaction to this and all my dad did was to say calmly, "Boy, HE must be having a really bad day!" That left me with a life lesson that I have used many times for myself and with my volatile special ed students. You just can't take most things in life personally- you'll live longer and be much happier if you don't. Thanks, Daddy.

lovsthosebigdogs: You father had given you good counsel.

[Barefoot]

I saw a great bumper sticker just last week "If they are called Snowbirds why can't we shoot them".

Is this an example of being polite and nice, the topic of this thread.

[Skybo]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Is this an example of being polite and nice, the topic of this thread.

I agree Barefoot! That’s not a very “nice or polite” thing to say about your fellow NEIGHBORS and HOMEOWNERS. They may only live here part-time, but they are a vital part of this community. To be honest, during my short time here (about a year), the snow-birds and renters have been some of the friendliest folks I’ve met. While the increased traffic and crowds can be attributed to the seasonal residents, I have my doubts that they are to blame for the increased surliness. Just the opposite, I suspect.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Skybo

I agree Barefoot! That’s not a very “nice or polite” thing to say about your fellow NEIGHBORS and HOMEOWNERS. They may only live here part-time, but they are a vital part of this community. To be honest, during my short time here (about a year), the snow-birds and renters have been some of the friendliest folks I’ve met. While the increased traffic and crowds can be attributed to the seasonal residents, I have my doubts that they are to blame for the increased surliness. Just the opposite, I suspect.

Thanks Skybo. We live in our TV home for six months every year, and we'd stay longer if US Immigration Laws permitted it. We've never rented our TV house out. We don't take living in The Bubble for granted and we're estatic every year when it comes time to come here. Seasonal Residents know the rules and don't like irresponsible drivers and accidents any more than frogs do. And we probably smile a lot because we're so darn grateful to be here.

[redwitch]

I love the snowbirds. As you said, Bare, they're grateful to be here. Most are smiling all of the time. They're happy to wait their turn. They participate in anything and everything.

Not only that, without them there would be no restaurants, stores or much of anything else during summer months. The businesses here make their money during snowbird season. It is what keeps them going for the rest of the year for us frogs to enjoy year-round. And let's not forget snowbirds pay amenity fees year round, not just when they're here.

So, a special thank you to snowbirds. Please keep coming down. Ditto snowflakes and renters. You are all a part of what makes TV special!

And, Gretch, love your attitude!!!!

[CaptJohn]

Redwitch, you make very good points (as usual).

It's kinda like my view of hurricanes: So you have one bad day out of the year. There are still 364 very good ones!

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by redwitch

I love the snowbirds. As you said, Bare, they're grateful to be here. Most are smiling all of the time. They're happy to wait their turn. They participate in anything and everything.
Not only that, without them there would be no restaurants, stores or much of anything else during summer months. The businesses here make their money during snowbird season. It is what keeps them going for the rest of the year for us frogs to enjoy year-round. And let's not forget snowbirds pay amenity fees year round, not just when they're here.
So, a special thank you to snowbirds. Please keep coming down. Ditto snowflakes and renters. You are all a part of what makes TV special!

And, Gretch, love your attitude!!!!

Redwitch, what a lovely post, you make my heart happy. Thanks so much!

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by redwitch

I love the snowbirds. As you said, Bare, they're grateful to be here. Most are smiling all of the time. They're happy to wait their turn. They participate in anything and everything.

Not only that, without them there would be no restaurants, stores or much of anything else during summer months. The businesses here make their money during snowbird season. It is what keeps them going for the rest of the year for us frogs to enjoy year-round. And let's not forget snowbirds pay amenity fees year round, not just when they're here.

So, a special thank you to snowbirds. Please keep coming down. Ditto snowflakes and renters. You are all a part of what makes TV special!

And, Gretch, love your attitude!!!!

Bravo, Red!

[CarGuys]

Originally Posted by ajaydam

You mention moving here just three months ago - unfortunately that would have brought you to The Villages at probably the worst time of the year. We are at capacity during January, February and March with seasonal owners and renters and our numbers swell to an almost impossible size and people get very testy about silly little things - I saw a great bumper sticker just last week "If they are called Snowbirds why can't we shoot them".

I just left public education. Well the Governot helped with that. What 35 years ago was the best job I evey had is now a place where parents Administrators and students have free shots at ya!

I never told my teacher or principal to F-- Off .When a teacher called me about my son an daughter I listened. I never told then the teacher I was going to beat them up or sue them and don't bother calling her again!

So I understand your feelings. World is getting mean.

And we become Frogs this July. We have only know The Villages in Summer months. I guess Ruth and I are in for a HUGE learning experience next winter?

Do they issue hurt feeling forms . I have attched a Army version PDF. Maybe we can all use it.