The Political World of the Marinas

[ValiantV]

Originally Posted by tomfl

An old man was sitting by the road at the top of a hill when a young man approached and asked what type of town was in view just down the road. The old man replied what type of town do you think it is. The young man said it looks like an unfriendly town I would not enjoy staying in. The old man replied that is just the type of town it is.

As the first young man headed towards the town a second young man approached the old man and asked about the near by town. The old man replied what type of town do you think it is. The second young man replied it looks like a friendly town I would enjoy visiting. The old man replied that is just the type of town it is.

Born, raised, lived, and worked in Chicago for 50 years, it was quite an adjustment to move to a small town in the rural South. (East Texas)

Finally came to a realization of the difference between folks from Chicago vs folks here:

Chicagoans are all gruff and defensive and mean on the surface, but are actually pretty nice once you get past that. Here, folks are all friendly and smile and are polite to your face - then snipe and gossip and make things up about you when your back is turned.

What town was that tomfl?

[sailorboy1]

nevermind

[redhead]

Originally Posted by ValiantV

Born, raised, lived, and worked in Chicago for 50 years, it was quite an adjustment to move to a small town in the rural South. (East Texas)

Finally came to a realization of the difference between folks from Chicago vs folks here:

Chicagoans are all gruff and defensive and mean on the surface, but are actually pretty nice once you get past that. Here, folks are all friendly and smile and are polite to your face - then snipe and gossip and make things up about you when your back is turned.

We have found the same of New Yorkers. New Yorkers may have a very gritty surface, but of all the places I have traveled in the last 3 years I've found they will rush to your burning car to pull you out and then slap you in the face for getting in an accident and then take you home to feed you and start the neighborhood fundraiser. I've found great people all around (and some very notable exceptions) but I have a new respect for New Yorkers.

[Gene Neill]

Originally Posted by danielamartindm

Always remember that people are basically good.

Allow me to introduce you to my mother in law.

[ValiantV]

I think that most all folks will rise to the occasion should they be on hand for a genuine emergency. It's what they do the rest if the time that is different.

[BandB]

Originally Posted by redhead

We have found the same of New Yorkers. New Yorkers may have a very gritty surface, but of all the places I have traveled in the last 3 years I've found they will rush to your burning car to pull you out and then slap you in the face for getting in an accident and then take you home to feed you and start the neighborhood fundraiser. I've found great people all around (and some very notable exceptions) but I have a new respect for New Yorkers.

I've found people worldwide very much the same deep down. They may have different ways of speaking, move at different speeds, but not as different as they appear on the surface. My previous employer bought a NY company years ago. In converting it to our ways, I met a young Controller, who I thought the world of. Met his wife and children. I offered him a job in NC. Hardest sale I ever had to make. They were both ready but two sets of grandparents who would never leave the NY area and the issue was seeing the kids. I convinced them that I would pay him enough he could fly back and forth all he wanted and he'd have twice the house at half the price and a 15 minute commute instead of an hour and half, and good schools for his kids. I talked him into just coming on a temporary basis for the summer with his family. Well, ten years later I retired and he was my successor. We also relocated six other employees from that company's corporate office.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by BandB

Wifey B: I think certain environments lead to more gossip than others, not necessarily sex based. Locker rooms, bars, fishing, men go with non-stop gossip and boasting. Men don't so much on the job generally but do if it's an outdoor job and all men. Now, women do in the beauty salon and teachers do, whether male or female, just groups thrown together and sharing a lounge. Doctor's and nurses lounges in hospitals. I'd say alcohol always ramps up the level of gossip.

Then I think it varies by person too. Some people are just not gossipy at all and others do anytime, anyplace.

It depends on the company you chose to keep.

"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.

[RTB]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

To get a 5 star from me not only would the marina need to have all the standard amenities in good condition but it would need things like great access to stores, supplies, entertainment, restaurants.

Ah, gotcha. The Atlantis in Nassau! Atlantis Marina | Paradise Island, Bahamas

We spent two nights there at $4.00/ft. (40 ft. minimum). Great water park (included) along with an awesome aquarium (also included). Great ...very expensive restaurants. Plenty of expensive shopping! A casino! I guess this is a 5 star marina? Did you check it out?

I need to bring this to managements attention!!!


Negatives-
no social interaction with other cruisers. The crews on the mega yachts didn't invite us poor sailboaters over for sundowners or offer tours of their 250' yachts.


Way too crowded with vacationers (non boaters).


No hardware stores.


No West Marine...or any other marine store that I saw.


Can't really wear my everyday clothes without feeling like a bum.


On the plus side...My son's girlfriend loved hailing the dock office for a shuttle. After checking out, we were taken back to our dock in an enclosed golf cart in driving rain. Pretty much first class service I guess.



Ralph

[zboss]

Originally Posted by Gadagirl

Every one seems to have got their panties in a bunch about Sailor boys post. Even those that profess to not get their panties in a bunch about such matter! I've been entertained. All weighing in about the misery of land dwellers or criticizing his general outlook on life. Or spewing about how being open minded and positive has reaped you the same and he'd be well to behave as you. Or commiserating with his current lot in life. If only!!!, some of us secretly wish.

I'll say this. I perceived his post as an observation from his perspective and as a light hearted jab at the communities emotional side. I don't see him as not enjoying his time. I see him as a people watcher. A happy cruiser, telling it like it is. Same as he honestly, un-apologetically, shares his monthly expenditures. He reported his observations. It's been enlightening and that's it.

Hell yes! If you haven't spent too much time in a marina and then find yourself there for an extended time? People watch? Culture shock a little perhaps? He's making the best of it by humorously (i believe) sharing some truths about human interaction and normal sociology.

He might have learned that extended stays in a marina is not his cup of tea. However he seems to be going along to get along. Reporting real life emotion to HIS personal experiences. Because he reports honestly I respect his posts. YMMV


SailorBoy? In my working life i find that men gossip more than women, what are your observations on the water?

It's true that some marinas have politics and so forth but that shouldn't condemn all marinas. Also, I think those issues are more fluid... in marinas where there are lots of full time live aboards you will find more politics but it comes and goes depending on the occupancy type. If you don't like the vibe you can always drop the dock lines.

We enjoy the social aspect and we have had more issues in anchorages in Florida and the Chesapeake than marina issues. Some live aboards that have been in place for a long time occupy the anchorage like they own it. In the Chesapeake, it's the people living in the big houses not wanting boats in their part of the river or whatever.

The more we cruise, the more likely we meet people "out there" and end up in a marina with them at some point and so the social aspect just comes as a ride along to the marina stay. While we are there we make an effort to help out as many visiting cruisers as we can and create a social network for them to interact, get local information, find a doctor, and so forth.

[sailorboy1]

I didn't check out Altantis and didn't even go to Nassu. I would consider Altantis more of a resort than a marina and I guess it would be 5 star for what it is. But as far as being a cruiser stop I don't think it would be 5 star to me after the first couple of days.

[sagablu]

After reading all about the difficulties of marina life, I am SO glad I am on a mooring. However, don't even get me started about those guys!

[BandB]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

I didn't check out Altantis and didn't even go to Nassu. I would consider Altantis more of a resort than a marina and I guess it would be 5 star for what it is. But as far as being a cruiser stop I don't think it would be 5 star to me after the first couple of days.

Wifey B: A wonderful resort. Yes, there are things like the casino, the spa, golf and tennis, and over 20 restaurants and a super fun waterpark, but incredible marine exhibits and habitats too. For kids, it's almost another Disneyworld. About as opposite as a few days on the hook in the Exumas as possible. It's one of the few resorts of it's type that can actually be fun more than a couple of days. Expensive fun.

[gamayun]

Originally Posted by tomfl

An old man was sitting by the road at the top of a hill when a young man approached and asked what type of town was in view just down the road. The old man replied what type of town do you think it is. The young man said it looks like an unfriendly town I would not enjoy staying in. The old man replied that is just the type of town it is.

As the first young man headed towards the town a second young man approached the old man and asked about the near by town. The old man replied what type of town do you think it is. The second young man replied it looks like a friendly town I would enjoy visiting. The old man replied that is just the type of town it is.

This applies to exes too. We are nothing if not our own worse patterns....

[sailorboy1]

The squeaking wheel gets the new BBQ grill for the dock!

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by rognvald

So, if I follow your logic,...

you clearly don't... and therein lies the problem.