Name:	cleanerguy -	Reply
Subject:	Lake Etiquette
Date:	7/23/2014 9:51:03 PM

Last year, while doing some maintainence on our house by myself, a family from across our cove ALL made their way to our swimming area which has its shallow parts leading up to our steps out of the lake.  We kind of think of this as our "front yard."

They played and gamed and really had a good time. They were nice. BUT this was on "our property?"  Or do we have control over any area of the Lake once you are in the water?  What legal issues might there have been had one of these people had gotten injured "in front of our house?"

To be honest, I was uncomfortable, but had no clue what I should have done.  Is there any etiquette regarding this situation?  I don't want to be rude.  I know that these people did not have shallow water on that side to play in.  I don't own the Lake.  However,I would not go swimming in anyone else's "area(?)"

So tell me Lake Martiners, what is the etiquette involved here?  Another family did it (or was it the same with the kids 1 year older now?) just 2 weeks ago.  Your thoughts, please?

Cleanerguy.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Lake Etiquette
Date:	7/23/2014 10:24:58 PM

Get a fishing rod and fish off the dock. Casting a lure would do the job. If they  come to your side tell them you are afraid they may get hocked.

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	Lake Etiquette
Date:	7/23/2014 10:34:19 PM

  Have been on the lake since 1963 and loved every minute of it.  Till 3 years ago and it all went to pot much similar of what you speak of.  Sold in Feb. and have not miss it one minute.  Not to brag but there is not a sough i havent been in not a place i havent seen. influx of new lake dwellers that have no vested intrest in our lake or their neighbors they will be here a couple of years and then move on somewhere else with their loud vistors,loud boats,loud company.

  The ones that really p!$$ me off are the ones that came here because they didnt like where they were so they come here join our groups, govt.,and start tell the locals "THIS HOW WE DID IT WHERE I USE TO LIVE"   Damn isn't that why they move here?

  Good luck

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Lake Etiquette
Date:	7/23/2014 11:40:33 PM

I believe the lake either belongs to Alabama Power or nobody.  Unless doing something illegal everyone has access to every part of the lake (maybe I should say the water).  

I certainly wouldn't worry about liability for anything happening on or in that part of the lake in front of your place.  That is unless you had done something egregious like litter the bottom with broken glass on purpose...and whoever got cut could prove it.  Something tells me that is not the case.

If they were exceptionally loud or obnoxious, or partied into the night it would seem they are the ones being rude and there would be nothing wrong with a polite request to give you some peace.  

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Lake Etiquette
Date:	7/24/2014 10:16:42 AM

The lake in front of your house isn't your property and anyone can use it.  Having said that, I don't think I would do that simply because I would be concerned about invading someone's space. But then again we know most of the people in our slough and love having them come over and float and catch up. Maybe take this as an opportunity to meet new people and make friends. We live around a bunch of year rounders and they have been great to us while we are away. 

And I wouldn't take GFs advice. Plain ignorant. 

Name:	sleep4 -	Reply
Subject:	Lake Etiquette
Date:	7/24/2014 11:47:05 AM (updated 7/24/2014 11:48:30 AM)

Put out a sign that says Beware of Water Moccasin.

Name:	jalcz -	Reply
Subject:	Lake Etiquette
Date:	7/24/2014 2:59:50 PM

Were I in the position you describe, it wouldn't bother me too much. (A little, yes, because I would never have been so bold.) You were there alone, obviously not tryng to enjoy your water access so much as work on your property. (And I'm assuming that they took advantage of the water, but NOT your dock, shoreline, etc. That would be a whole other issue, one in which you definitely had rights that were violated.)

Had you had family and/or friends there, and these neighbors were more or less invading the area, then I would have issues with it; they would be denying you the use of something that is assuredly more yours then theirs, and you could argue that they were somewhat invading your privacy, as well. (I'm talking commen sense arguments, not legal arguments, of course.) In that case you could accurately describe them as rude, crass, obnoxious, and just about any other negative adjective.

The area in front of our dock must look like prime fishing, though I don't see what the fishermen seem to see (other than a dock, which isn't much different than most docks on the lake.) When I look outside and see them tossing lures right beside the dock, it doesn't affect me in nearly the same was as when they do it when we are actually out sitting on the dock. I think these are two of the many situations where BOTH parties need to realize that what you want to do should be affected by whether or not there are people in he immediate area.

Name:	Spot Remover -	Reply
Subject:	Lake Etiquette
Date:	7/24/2014 3:54:24 PM

This is about as silly of a post as I've seen in a while.

Can't anybody handle anything without asking what to do?

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	I'm not sure...have any suggestions?
Date:	7/24/2014 5:09:10 PM

:-)

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	I'm not sure...have any suggestions?
Date:	7/24/2014 5:45:20 PM

Reckon GF got that one?

Name:	lakeplumber -	Reply
Subject:	Lake Etiquette
Date:	7/24/2014 7:32:40 PM

What one "can" do (legally) should be governed by the question of: "Is this a good and neighborly thing to do. I know that it might be old fashioned to many but I remember it from my youth; Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I think that much of what many of us were taught in public schools a generation or 2 ago and which seems to have been thrown out with prayer and other things in the schools. (Not trying to get political or make religous issues here) might share some of the reason that people are so set in the mind frame that if it is not illegal, then who caes what poor taste it might be.

Heck, I'm  ramblinng and have crossed over into the forbidden zone of forum discussion.

Name:	Mack -	Reply
Subject:	Meet and Greet Them,,,
Date:	7/24/2014 8:01:50 PM

Walk down and introduce yourself and ask who they are. Talk to them and see if you have common interests. Boating. children. permanent home. where you from. Ya' know? No, you don't know. Might be the most interesting and enjoyable neighbors ever!!

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	Meet and Greet Them,,,
Date:	7/24/2014 8:40:58 PM

Yea, if Mack were to do that in our slough I would toss him a beer and a mater sandwich.

Name:	cleanerguy -	Reply
Subject:	Lake Etiquette
Date:	7/25/2014 8:11:12 AM

Wow!  What a fun guy you must be!!!

Name:	Mack -	Reply
Subject:	Meet and Greet Them,,,
Date:	7/25/2014 4:41:15 PM

And that reaction would be what I would expect from you. Sorry I could not reciprocate on my slough. My maters crashed and burned this year 

Name:	mariah1 -	Reply
Subject:	Meet and Greet Them,,,
Date:	7/25/2014 6:50:13 PM

We will all see in the fullness of time what the FERC's ruling is. After that life will go on here on golden pond. I would love it if we get the 483 winter pool. If not so be it. 

Name:	Mack -	Reply
Subject:	Cleanerguy...
Date:	7/25/2014 8:23:01 PM

We don't know much about you or your situation on the Lake. Sounds from your post like you have family, you are making repairs/upgrades, you are new to Lake Life. Much we don't know.

Lake Martin people are the absolute best, most tolerant, calm folks you will ever meet. That is why I suggested you Meet and Greet your cove neighbors. Especially if you have children. They are much more likely to find friends than you or I. Follow their example.

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	Meet and Greet Them,,,
Date:	7/25/2014 9:42:11 PM (updated 7/25/2014 9:43:56 PM)

When are you going to be at the Lake?

And I really did not expect you and your family to swim over this far.

Name:	Mack -	Reply
Subject:	Meet and Greet Them,,,
Date:	7/25/2014 10:57:43 PM

Saturday after noon thru Tuesday AM. Then 8/6 thru 8/13. Hosting a 14 year old boy with problems. Emotional, not physical problems. Gonna' be a challenge. Boy is Hispanic from Miami, via Mexico/Cuba, family member but remote.

Never fished. Never been in a boat. Swim? Don't know. Wanting to be with us? Yes. That's enough.