Comments on: Making friends with the natives.

By: Turkish Prawn

Turkish Prawn — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 18:42:48 +0000

No reason that you can’t be both!

And yes, I’d give it a try! I’m willing to bet you’d make some friends.

For me, the type of fun things done at a family reunion depends on which side of the family we’re talking about here. My Mom’s side will be sitting around, chatting about topical news items and watching Wall Street Week when it comes on. My Dad’s side will involve lots of BPR tall boys, horseshoes and possibly, shooting someone’s new handgun out in the pasture.

To be honest, I’ve watched enough Wall Street Week and gone over the news on my own. Horse shoes and handguns just don’t get boring.

I usually bring my own micro brewed beer though. They think that’s funny .

Turkish Prawn

By: jimsmuse

jimsmuse — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 15:54:00 +0000

This post has definitely got me thinking…

I’ve been living in the same extremely rural (i.e. more cows and cornfields than people) town for 15 years, and have never really felt that the locals have known what to make of me since I moved here from NYC.

Now I’m wondering whether letting the local NASCAR fans know that my ancestors come from the equally rural part of Kentucky famous for Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark (family reunions there are a blur, natch!) might make them more inclined to get to know me.

I know that being part “redneck” isn’t quite as glamorous as being Native American, but it’s worth a try, isn’t it?

By: Turkish Prawn

Turkish Prawn — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:02:18 +0000

Oh, no. There are others as well. I’m taking it slowly.

As for strange hobbies… I’ve found that firearms collecting has had a HUGE positive impact on the way the “old locals” look at me. Being spotted carrying a rifle bag almost always gets a smiling old timer to walk up and wanting to know what I’ve got and I’ve been hunting.

I don’t hunt actually, but collect and go target shooting a lot. I think the old Mainers (or Mainahs, as they would say) are just happy to see a youngish, new resident holding a rifle rather than a nine iron.

I may not be able to hit a golf ball 100 yards and on to a green, but I can hit a golf ball AT 100 yards, on a green!

By: archvillain

archvillain — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:40:23 +0000

Very cool. Is your silent arborist neighbor the only stand-offish one, or is the whole neighborhood waiting for a “sign” that you might fit in … some day?

I think you’re doing it right, BTW. Trying to push your way into the community would only result in a lot of push-back. Just live your life, and they’ll eventually come to accept you … probably. If you have a couple of useful but strange habits or hobbies, it might speed things up with some of the locals.

By: Turkish Prawn

Turkish Prawn — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:25:28 +0000

Oh! He’s very good with weeds! He names them and will point them out to you as you walk through the garden. He also names the ants he finds.

Really cute, but not very efficient.

By: nathaliewithanh

nathaliewithanh — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:04:06 +0000

Just wondering… How are Short stack’s lawn mowing abilities? If you send him my way, I’ll make absolutely sure to two finger wave at you anytime I pass you on the street. I’ll even add a third finger if he shows propensity at removing weeds.

By: inmate1972

inmate1972 — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:35:52 +0000

I find having a knock down fight with neighbor down the street who insists on large construction projects at 9pm at night is always the best way to make friends in a new place.

…I think you know of whom I refer to….

By: hildigunnur

hildigunnur — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:30:39 +0000

That’s sort of cool, yes

By: planetross

planetross — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:44:05 +0000

When I moved into my place, the 60 year old nextdoor neighbour was stand-offish, but once I cleaned up the yard, weeded, planted a few flowers, and kept pretty quiet; she liked me.
The secret: the people who lived here before me had 5 young children and didn’t garden = noisy and eye sore.