A few weeks ago, I wrote about my first impression of Bostonians (rude). Since then, a number of you have reached out, some to agree with that opinion and others to protest.
Well, I’ll admit this much: rude certainly isn’t the whole story.
I think the best way to compare the friendliness of Massachusetts versus the rural Midwest is on a sliding scale, where zero is ‘don’t talk to me’ and 100 is ‘you’re family!’ Here, it may take years to break 30, but you can eventually reach 100. Back home, you can get to 90 in the first 15 minutes, but you will never, ever get to 100. Or at least not in your lifetime. That takes generations.
On one visit home, I was at the only restaurant in ‘town’- meaning not the tiny town where I was born, but the bigger (~400 people) town that used to have a high school and still has a few businesses. I was waiting at the counter for a takeout order when I overheard a boothful of blue-haired* old ladies, who I’ve known my entire life, talking about the ‘new family south of town’. I tried to think who that could be, mentally ticking off roads, farms, and families. Then something they said made me realize they were talking about a family that had moved in when I was 12. Since then, this family had farmed and run a business in town. They sent 8 children through the school system. Some of those children stuck around, married, and sent their children through the school system. But some 40 years later, they are still ‘new’. That’s just how we are. We’ll stop to help a complete stranger change his tire. Ask us where the nearest restaurant is, and we’ll probably just feed you. But it takes generations to be fully accepted.
I will be eternally grateful for the acceptance and friendship I’ve found at Pour Richard’s. Getting to know all our wonderful customers has been interesting, rewarding and just plain fun. Exhibiting both curiosity and tolerance, you’ve been open to trying new beverages. But along the way, you’ve shared lives and stories. And dogs! So many lovely dogs.
At every turn, you’ve supported us, turning out for tastings and charity events, helping us celebrate anniversaries, helping us make the move to our new home. And even helping us turn the page to the next chapter, advocating through emails and a petition to let Town Council know you want to see Pour Richard’s continue. I will be eternally proud of this community. Thank you so much for being part of it.
*Their hair, while nominally white, always had a pale blue tinge from the ‘blue rinse’ that Susie’s Salon used to counteract yellowing gray hair. All the old ladies of my youth had blue hair.