My dad was in the Air Force so we moved constantly. I went to a number of different schools and it seemed that just about the time I started feeling like I belonged we would move again.
Deep down inside I always thought it would be really great to live somewhere like Mayberry where everyone knew you or your family.
Mr. Wonderful has moved me to many small towns in our 33 years together. We lived in a small rural town in South Dakota when our girls were young and everyone knew everyone else. It was a common practice for men to tip their hats when walking by a lady or at least nodding to one another as you pasted.
Basically you were acknowledging the other person or their family. If you didn't know them personally you still probably knew their family members. People acknowledged you on the road also. I found this to be a charming custom.
One spring day, the girls and I were sitting outside on a bench waiting for Mr. Wonderful. He had gone into the town's only drug store to pick up some needed items. It was a warm spring day so Grrrl and I started "people watching". Whenever a man walked by he would tip his hat or say, "Good Morning" as he walked by. If a lady walked by, she would inevitably stop and comment on how beautiful my children were and asked how the family was (pretending that she knew us while subtly pumping me for information on my pedigree.) The following conversation would occur between Grrrl and I afterwards.
Grrrl: " Who was that?"
Me: "I don't know."
This scenario was repeated at least three or four times with the same question and the same answer between me and my oldest daughter. When it happened again and again she asked me the same question I got very frustrated and answered some what sharply.
Grrrl: "Who was that?"
Me: "Honey, I don't know everybody in this town."
Grrrl: ( Answering even more indignantly) "Seems to me you don't know anybody in this town!"
I had to laughingly admit that she was correct. I was some what taken back by the wisdom of a three year old, but then Grrrl has always been keenly observant. As nice as it is to "go where every body knows your name" I've also discovered it's really nice to be able to go about your business without being stopped every three or four steps to greet someone.
Which do you prefer? The small town or big city?
Monday, October 16, 2006
Monday Memories....Who's That?
Posted by Lazy Daisy at 7:23 AM
Labels: Becky, Monday memories
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13 comments:
I like the middle ground...where I am now!! NOt the answer you were looking for..OOOPS!! Oh well...My MOnday Memories is up if you would like to read about my scaries day ....Sandy
Hmmm... I lived in a town where I knew most everyone. But everyone wants to know your business... Rumors get going and pretty soon you are a pariah - for no reason exept that people are mean. Not my thing. I like to live in the middle of nowhere and know just a few people. The city is too loud for me. I'm a quiet bug who doesn't like to be squished.
Give me the country life any day. Didn't I hear this the other day. Love it.
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That was a cute, great story. Hawai'i used to be that way too. It still is somewhat that way in the country side. But in town, it's a little different. It is not at all what it used to be. which is pretty sad. But there's alot of foreigner's now and they aren't as friendly.
I prefer the small town but I have to admit that I know so few people here. I do love life here though but I have found out that not all southerners are what yoou would call friendly. LOL
I am a big city gal. I love my current living arrangements: out in a quiet suburb but only 20min away from the large city.
Great story as usual :-) Yes, kids do have a way of saying wise things!
I'm somewhere in the middle I think. Lived all my life in a suburb of the capital, but would love to have lived in the countryside when I was younger. I guess that it can be a little bit too much for me in a small town....
I would prefer to the big town. I used to live in a small town where everyone knows everyone. Every move you make people say something. Clothes that you wear, people say something. In a big town, there are too many people that they don't care less who you are, what you do and where you're going unless of course you're a celebrity,.
Thanks for passing by.
I have lived in a small town where everyone knew everyone's business and, while I loved the town, I didn't like that part. I have also live in a large town where you only knew a few people and that was nice too. So, both have their good points. How's that for sitting on the fence!!!!
Loved your story. Kids do indeed say the darndest things!
Nice story Daisy. I prefer the city, but I treasure my close-knit neighbourhood where we are all nosey enough to keep an eye on each other's children, catch the odd dog who escapes the back yard, and share a cup of flour or a splash of pesto to save a neighbour a trip to the store.
mp
I've lived in both, small town and big city, I prefer, big city! The small town, everyone knew when I blew my nose! Not for me! LOL I like it when I can go out and not have everyone know my business.
Nice memory today! It's good to be back, missed you!!!
I prefer a small college town like where I went to High School and University: Asheville, NC. Intellectuals, Artsy, and surrounded by beautiful mountains. I can still go home again (Thomas Wolf was from there) and have a feeling I might recognize someone, even after many years away.
How about something in between? Although I think I could love New York and live there. I've done the really small town thing and it has advantages of space and ease of transportation but having everyone knowing your business gets on the nerves after time.
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