Friday, February 1, 2013

Been there, know them

 


When we lived on the coast I was used1-Jan 2013 Textures cards1

to being recognized by customers, even

though I seem to lack a facial recognition

gene that everyone else has, and didn’t

have a clue who they were, they knew me.

Long conversations with me fishing for

some clue as to how we were connected

and from where.

Then my ever patiently waiting husband

would query me as we walked away as to

their identity, and he was always tickled

to hear that I hadn’t a clue, but still had

talked to them for so long. 

Funny, sweetie very funny…

Up here I thought we were incognito…after all who would know us other then a few family members, and occasional friend.

Not so…seems more people know us then we think.

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When the repairman for Frankie [our treadmill] arrived the first thing he told us is that he knows the former owner’s of our house, and has been here many times.  He recently visited them in their new place….

That just feels…weird.

 

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My hairdresser’s a former school friend of a niece, our Chiropractor treats acquaintances whom we are no longer in touch with. The lady at the grocery store chatting us up about the best olives to buy, is a former garden center customer from the coast.

And the woman who looked at me oddly in the Wallymart line up didn’t want me to move faster she recognized me from our youth, my Mom and Dad were friends with her parents.

 

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We are very careful what we say, and whom we say it too, small towns love to gossip, say hello to a cashier in one store, and have the greeting passed back you in the hardware store down the road.  Talk is cheap, travels quickly, watch what you say, and have no regrets.

That’s my small town motto.

And wear a wig if you want to rob a bank and not be recognized,….recently a local person was caught cycling down the road after robbing the bank, because many of the tellers recognized her as a regular.

 

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

24 comments:

  1. bahahaha....this is great! Love your post....I live in a very small town and I know exactly what you mean. I also lack the facial recognition gene but it seems that I am "facebook" famous around here and it's kind of weird that EVERYONE I see knows all about me. You started my day off with a smile. I hope you have a great one also!

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  2. connections connections, as the world turns right, this made me smile,

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  3. I love small towns, because while there may be a lot of gossip and everyone knows your bushiness, everyone pulls together for eachh other in a time of need and that is pretty special.
    Hugs to you,
    Meredith

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  4. Loved this . . . you just never know . . .
    I also liked, (loved) your little hints of spring . . .
    frog
    dragonfly
    softly bordered photos in powdery blue . . .
    fern, maiden hair I think . . .
    loved it all . . .

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  5. That is somewhat true about small towns, but there's also a thing called 'shared history' which is a precious thing. And even though people may 'gossip' about you, they often are also genuinely concerned and may be the first people there to help when the need arises.

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  6. You are so right. I grew up in a small village, where one needed to mind their P's & Q's. That has stuck with me all my life. I get a kick out of the modern world, they call all those people we encounter who know someone or related to someone...NETWORKING!!! Small world, huh?

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  7. Yes, folks in small towns and communities are always on the ball. Much like the old party line phones. Oh wait, that's Facebook today! :) Although we live in a rural community, we feel 'out of the loop' with the local 'news' (gossip) and really don't have a clue what's going on. But, I bet 'they' know what's going on with us. MmmmHmmm. They know. Love your photos today. So pretty.

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  8. Sounds like the bank robber is a good candidate for the Darwin Awards.

    I remember seeing you at the garden center last year, both of us eyeing each other up and circling like prize fighters. I was sure it was you, yet I wasn't. *grin*

    One of the things I like about our new small town is that everyone is friendly and I already "know" so many people by name. I like it.

    Apparently, our 100 year old home is known locally as The Old Hansen House. I wonder how long we'll have to live in it before it'll assume our name instead.

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  9. So, so true Jen... I lived in a small town, but now live on the outskirts... I like my privacy and so go in to town as little as possible... I hate when I see people and they want to know "all your business", even if they barely know you... drives me nuts! It's true what the other commentors say, that small towns pull together in a time of need, I don't know if it happens in bigger communities because I haven't lived there as much, however, I do believe that if you have any kind of socialization, then that group who knows you will pull together no matter where you live... for the most part, I think it's human nature and not a matter of where you live, it just might seem more noticeable, just like always hear, "there is so much cancer here"... I don't think it's any more than anywhere else, it's just that everyone knows everybody so it seems like it! Cheers~

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  10. I'm a retired teacher and constantly see faces that somewhat resemble former students from 25 years ago but their names have slipped my mind. They have grown children and grandchildren. I, too, have conversations with them and don't have a clue of their names. I've learned to say, "your face is familiar, but I can't remember your name." It saves a lot of embarrassment.

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  11. So true about small towns Jen. Some good and bad in all that familiarity isn't there.

    These photos are exquisite! The word that came to mind.

    Happy Weekend, G

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  12. Oh, Jen. That’s so funny about the bicycling bank robber. Down here everyone has a nickname because given names are common to the masses. We have a Bank robber Tony. That was a true story. He did time. I don’t know what his nickname was before the dastardly deed. All the while I was reading I was passing by your lovely vignette (that’s a new word for me from blogland ~ did I spell it right?). Small communities are great. Enjoy!

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  13. Oh everyone knows what a I am going to do even before I do it..small towns are a hoot.
    Sometimes I would like to be a mouse in a corner:)

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  14. Lovely photos ! Oh yes in a small town or village they are all either related limited gene pool I call it lol or have lived there all their life and been friends for years ! That can get scary as it seems they all know what your up to some times lol ! But it is nice to live in or near small towns or villages cause there is always a friendly smile or a hello for you , that's what I like ! Have a good day !

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  15. Too funny - the last thing on my mind if I robbed a bank was recycling! Lovely pictures....

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  16. LOL- Gotta LOVE a small town. We live in a BIG small town and I know just what you mean- xo Diana

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  17. Yum, those chocolates look good. You are quite right about small towns and being careful in what you say. Sometimes it comes back and bites you.

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  18. I am horrible with names and faces. I meet a lot of new people for my job and sometimes I introduce myself and they say "we've met before!" Awkward!
    xo Catherine

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  19. Funny! I grew up in a small town and am constantly amazed at how many people I run into (not literally) that knew me and/or my family. Weird.

    Yes, we do need to be careful about what we say!!

    Judy

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  20. No matter where I have worked, I realized how everyone knows everyone or is related in some way so I am always careful...and my husband is the one who seems to know everyone. Me I try to stay in the shadows with my head down :)

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  21. I don't have the facial recognition gene, either. It can be very embarrassing when you don't recognize your next door neighbor at the grocery store. I can't imagine anyone robbing a bank in a small town. Not too smart.
    Hugs,
    Laura

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  22. I used to be very good at remembering faces and names, a useful skill in my line of work. However, it seems to be a skill that fades with age, at least for some people.

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  23. How funny! I have always had people thinking I was someone they know. They usually share who it is and where they live...etc! It's funny! Even when I'm with my hubby it happens! Such is life...wherever I live!

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Your comments are the flowers that bloom in my virtual blogging garden.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

PS: No word verification here, sorry I cannot reply to blogs that use word verification.