-
Confessions from the Bible Belt
- Jan 26, 2009 at 3:55 PM
- By
- Comments (7) Total Views (190) Everyone can see this journal post.
This morning I stopped for coffee at my local quick trip. The clerk recognized me and wished me, "Happy Monday!" He is a short, yet handsome sort of fellow in his early 30's. I'm not sure of his name although I've probably read his name tag a hundred times. He has never addressed me by name either, even though he's seen my debit card a hundred times. He and I are merely strangers - strangers wishing one another a grand start to a prosperous week.
When I arrived at work a woman held the elevator door for me. Once I had safely boarded she asked what floor I was headed to and pressed the button for floor "25". She was the first of four people to ask me how I was "braving the weather" today. I noticed her great leather shoes and complimented her on them. She told me she was dressed up for a meeting this morning, and I told her that I hoped her meeting went well. She and I are merely strangers - strangers who used otherwise wasted elevator time to encourage one another.
The man who delivers the UPS packages is a Russian immigrant. He likes to talk to me because although I don't speak the language my name is Russian and he says it reminds him of home. Last week his nephew and his wife had twin daughters. They named the babies Emily and Claire. Mr. UPS is a very proud Great-Uncle armed with stories and pictures to share. I speak to this man a mere ten minutes a week, but for those ten minutes he and I are great friends.
I have traveled outside of this city, not that I live in any small town, and cannot find any other city as friendly. To behave like I'm at home outside of city limits has had its comedic downturns.
While shopping at a grocery store in Las Vegas I asked the cashier how she was "braving the heat". She didn't respond. I thought maybe she hadn't heard me and so I asked again... The woman glared at me and said "I don't understand the question." I rambled on explaining how where I am from that is a totally normal question and shivered feeling so alone while the sacker and other customer's stared at me in awe. As I left I said, "well... ya'll have a good evening" and as I scurried out the door I heard several snickers at my back.
I was driving across country through northern states and nearly caused two accidents. It had become dark outside and there was hardly another car on the road for miles. A blue pick-up truck appeared over the top of a hill headed toward me. I waved out my window at the man driving by as if to say, "Hello fellow midnight-driver! I hope you reach your destination safely!" This is a very safe practice of road hospitality in my city. However, the man in the blue truck must have thought there was a tornado, pack of wild elephants or DOT headed our way because he started swerving all over the road crazily trying to decipher what my signal had meant! I felt so terrible for causing him distress and drove away as fast as possible.
About fifteen minutes later, having regained my composure, this exact scenario happened again with a white SUV...
I am proud to live in a "friendly" city. I am happy to share conversation with my dry-cleaner, McDonald's drive-thru professional, pharmacist, mailman, dentist, corner hobo and anyone else I meet during my day. There is no other point to this Journal - just to assess the situation and laugh at my many communication predicaments.
Comments:
I love my small little town : ) Nice post.
Nice post. People aren't that friendly (at first) where I'm from, either. If you say hello to someone randomly, they either think you're weird or trying to hit on them.
I've heard there's nothing like southern hospitality...and the friendliness that goes with it, too.
I love the small town atmosphere. We moved back to my hometown about a year and a half ago and I love it. Everyone knows us, sometimes by name, sometimes not. Everyone is super friendly and helpful. When I graduated high school, I left town as fast as possible, not wanting to get "trapped" in a podunk town. I didn't realize until I had kids, how much this town really meant to me. It's safe, secure, friendly and quiet most of the time. Thank God for small towns.
From one Small Town Southern Mom to another: I hear you! In the few times we've gone out of town, I've been nearly mowed down in front of a Walmart, given curious stares for questioning menus, even more curious stares for discussing -with my husband- whether or not the cows would wander into our yard again, been flicked off for waving, and had my oldest boy corrected for saying, "ya'll."
I love how friendly it is here... I wouldn't live anywhere else if you paid me.
A company I used to work for started out in NJ... and they were looking for places to re-locate - they chose G'ville SC because of the friendly people and they felt that they could find excellent customer service reps here... I *heart* the south!!
I love the south. Born and raised in SC. It use to amaze me how my Grandfather never met a stranger. And if you gave him enought time to chat with the man outside the grocery store...sure enough...we would be related to him some how! Always cracked me up. I love stricking up conversations with people in line at a store. You meet some interesting people. And as you drive along and wave at passersby and they don't wave back...well all you can think is "that's just rude" then you think "well, they must not be southern". Nothing like sitting on your front porch waving at traffic. lol And yes, the times spent in other parts of the country...You speak to people or smile and nod hello...they look at you like you've got 10 heads. Sad! I've even had people get pissy with me because I said "Yes Mam" or "No Sir". Come on...I was being POLITE! Well...in the true southern spirit....Bless Their Hearts!
Already a member? Click here to log in
I dont know the checker at Price Chopper either but I see him so much that once he accidently called me "Mom". We both cracked up about it. He reminds me of a different version of Spenser.
I think its really cute that you remind the UPS guy of "home". I bet you're the cutest Katrinka he's ever met!
I do tend to think we are friendlier in this part of the country. Out in Vegas I noticed it can be more "every man for himself".
- lisa89j
Message Friend Invite