How are the people? (Sarasota, Naples: restaurant, stores, moving to)

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by Ladywithafan

I find it amusing that so many of you are concerned about "registered" sex offenders...I brought it up before, I'd be more worried about the one's who don't show up under the microscope.

I'm with you on that one. At least you know where the registered ones live. I'm sure all of you have seen the Dateline show "To Catch a Predator"-Teachers, preachers, coaches, etc. Almost all of those caught were unregistered.

The former director of the Venice YMCA was just busted out of state where he now resides, for viewing child pornography. You just never know with some people. Pretty disturbing.

[LinaJo76]

I've been to Florida at least 5 times since 1999 and I just love it there and the people. I don't know, I've met some really awesome folks there (I've been to Tampa, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Flagler Beach, Ormond Beach, Miami, and Orlando). Not much I can say of the rest of it, but I loved it.

Just that Miami, people are a little snobby and high maintenance there, that's for sure. Lots of "divas" and "Ken's" there, if you know what I mean (like Barbie and Ken dolls).

But Daytona is my favorite and every time I went there people were always nice to me (bartenders, food servers, store clerks, hotel clerks, etc.). I loved it there the best.

[mr&mrssunshine]

we have visited Florida many many times and also find the people to be warm and friendly. Service in restaurants and shops is exceptional but it is the frienliness of the 'average joe' that makes us love it so

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

I'm with you on that one. At least you know where the registered ones live. I'm sure all of you have seen the Dateline show "To Catch a Predator"-Teachers, preachers, coaches, etc. Almost all of those caught were unregistered.

The former director of the Venice YMCA was just busted out of state where he now resides, for viewing child pornography. You just never know with some people. Pretty disturbing.

BINGO!

[tommy-105]

Originally Posted by LinaJo76

I've been to Florida at least 5 times since 1999 and I just love it there and the people. I don't know, I've met some really awesome folks there (I've been to Tampa, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Flagler Beach, Ormond Beach, Miami, and Orlando). Not much I can say of the rest of it, but I loved it.

Just that Miami, people are a little snobby and high maintenance there, that's for sure. Lots of "divas" and "Ken's" there, if you know what I mean (like Barbie and Ken dolls).

But Daytona is my favorite and every time I went there people were always nice to me (bartenders, food servers, store clerks, hotel clerks, etc.). I loved it there the best.

Originally Posted by mr&mrssunshine

we have visited Florida many many times and also find the people to be warm and friendly. Service in restaurants and shops is exceptional but it is the frienliness of the 'average joe' that makes us love it so

I always get a chuckle out of reading posts like this. People seem to forget that tourists visiting any area will be interacting with service industry employees who are chosen for their jobs by their "friendly outgoing personalities". A poplar phrase in local employment ads is "we're looking for smiling faces"

I don't think that the people visitors encounter will necessarily be an accurate representation of the local population. I was in the kitchen of a popular restaurant in Naples years ago. There was a rather stern notice by the double doors leading back into the dinning room. It reminded employees to put a smile on their face before they walked through the doors.

I really don't think someone can get a handle on what the local people are like until they start living and working somewhere. Of course down here the "locals" will a mix of natives and transplants from other areas. If you're a former New Yorker and settle in an area with a lot of midwesterners, you might not fit in.

Normally I wouldn't even respond to posts like this, but I ran into a very rude Home Depot employee yesterday. From the way I was dressed he safely assumed that I wasn't a visitor but rather a fellow local resident. The way he behaved with me was the exact opposite of the friendly greeting I got from the store manager who seemed to be hovering by the entrance greeting snowbirds. While I was there, I also got a glimpse at another employee's face at the service desk, between customers. She looked tired and frustrated, but a second later she was all smiles again. I wonder if she will be one of the ones let go when the season is over in a few months. She better keep smiling.

[StreetSmarts]

Originally Posted by tommy-105

I always get a chuckle out of reading posts like this. People seem to forget that tourists visiting any area will be interacting with service industry employees who are chosen for their jobs by their "friendly outgoing personalities". A poplar phrase in local employment ads is "we're looking for smiling faces"

I don't think that the people visitors encounter will necessarily be an accurate representation of the local population. I was in the kitchen of a popular restaurant in Naples years ago. There was a rather stern notice by the double doors leading back into the dinning room. It reminded employees to put a smile on their face before they walked through the doors.

I really don't think someone can get a handle on what the local people are like until they start living and working somewhere. Of course down here the "locals" will a mix of natives and transplants from other areas. If you're a former New Yorker and settle in an area with a lot of midwesterners, you might not fit in.

Normally I wouldn't even respond to posts like this, but I ran into a very rude Home Depot employee yesterday. From the way I was dressed he safely assumed that I wasn't a visitor but rather a fellow local resident. The way he behaved with me was the exact opposite of the friendly greeting I got from the store manager who seemed to be hovering by the entrance greeting snowbirds. While I was there, I also got a glimpse at another employee's face at the service desk, between customers. She looked tired and frustrated, but a second later she was all smiles again. I wonder if she will be one of the ones let go when the season is over in a few months. She better keep smiling.

I think that customer service tends to be pretty poor in FL, from stores, to restaurants, etc... almost like people are just always unhappy or something.

[tommy-105]

Originally Posted by ComSense

I think that customer service tends to be pretty poor in FL, from stores, to restaurants, etc... almost like people are just always unhappy or something.

I guess watching other people have fun on their vacations while you pulled the weekend shift at the quickie-mart isn't all it's cracked up to be. To really see it, you have to watch the person when they're not smiling for the customer.

[Big House]

People with low paying jobs, working at quicki-marts, 7-11s, K-stores, and other places like that are employed all around the country. I find nothing about that or thier disposition which occurs anywhere representative solely of, or exclusive to Florida, it is the same where ever they work for the most part.

[tommy-105]

Originally Posted by Big House

People with low paying jobs, working at quicki-marts, 7-11s, K-stores, and other places like that are employed all around the country. I find nothing about that or thier disposition which occurs anywhere representative solely of, or exclusive to Florida, it is the same where ever they work for the most part.

You missed one key point of my example. People on vacation. Florida is a vacation destination. People come in, gas up their boat, grab some ice and beer and head out to have some fun. Same thing with the bars and restaurants. People on vacation will spend more money than they usually would to have some fun. People with low paying jobs don't see this everywhere in the country.

[Big House]

Originally Posted by tommy-105

You missed one key point of my example. People on vacation. Florida is a vacation destination. People come in, gas up their boat, grab some ice and beer and head out to have some fun. Same thing with the bars and restaurants. People on vacation will spend more money than they usually would to have some fun. People with low paying jobs don't see this everywhere in the country.

True - gotcha.