Sometimes writers change things, like names and details. They do it to keep from offending people and to keep from being sued. Occasionally, it is essentially to protect the guilty.
I am going to tell you a story that is true in its intent, but not in its details.
A few weeks back I walked into a hardware store (It was not really a hardware store.) looking for a small hook to hang a mosquito zapper on our back porch (also fabricated). My wife is very allergic to mosquito bites and hey cause little burning welts. I am fortunate in that I am rarely bothered by them at all. (This part is true.)
As I entered the store, I was not greeted which is generally the case at this type of local store. However, there was a middle-aged employee standing near the entrance looking at his phone. He seemed to be completely uncaring that a customer just walked through the door and probably needed a little help locating a specific item.
Aimlessly, I started wandering about when I encountered the guy again. He seemed a little peeved that I interrupted his obviousness, but he did eventually lead me to the item I needed.
I was brand new to the area and wanted to be friendly to the people I met. So, I engaged him on our little journey to the correct isle. I told him I was new around here and asked him for his best advice for a new-comer.
This is what I got: (This part is true and verbatim.)
- “People move here but they don’t stay.” (How’s that for a friendly welcome?)
- “It’s an okay place to live if you have made your living, but it is not a good place to make a living.” (He may have a point if there is a lack of good paying jobs in the area, but it seemed like an odd welcome.)
- “We don’t have much to offer. The schools here are not good.” (My grand-daughter has two kids in school here and loves the schools.)
- I tried changing the subject to local restaurants mentioning a restaurant in Middlesboro, which is probably the best restaurant in the area. Not, surprisingly, he didn’t like it either.
- Oddly, he did invite me to church. I spent a sizable chunk of my life in church work, but I really didn’t want whatever he had.
- I turned to ask a question about my item, but he was in the process of making a quick retreat.
Everyone else I have met here has been wonderfully friendly and gracious. So, this guy was an anomaly. I will name him Leroy (not his real name, of course).
I have found people like Leroy everywhere, especially in online comment sections where they can anonymously let their negativity, cynicism, and anger rip.
I have noticed that wherever there is something new and exciting happening in an area, most of the online comments will be negative and cynical.
On the political stage it is even worse, the opponent or the other party will be ridiculed and vilified, but never really listened to. The most bizarre example from the other side will be held up as a straw man to show how stupid, corrupt, immoral, downright evil, and un-American the other side really is. Most of the effort goes to political infighting rather than getting the work of the American people done.
Being negative is the easiest thing in the world because there are so many things wrong. Ranting about it is a knee jerk reaction. It takes little thought and effort.
Doing something about it is hard. Improving the situation takes time. Listening to other people with different experiences and perspectives takes patience and empathy. Being positive in a world full of negativity takes serious effort. Loving people, especially those who have different opinions is difficult, but that is what loving your neighbor is all about.
My apologies to everyone named Leroy.
