Have you ever met someone new, or maybe reconnected with an old friend, and you think, Wow, they’re the nicest person? I mean, you really like them, really connect with them. So you become facebook friends, and oops, now you have to deal with their politics! I mean, the two of you couldn’t be more different. Oil and water. Not only that, they feel compelled to post the most nasty, mean-spirited, in-your-face stuff on a daily basis. Stuff you have to skim over, because it’s just so upsetting.
It doesn’t have to be on facebook, either. You could be going to a bean supper or a party. You park your car near a truck that’s plastered with bumper stickers, like Charlie and me did last Saturday night.
“My God,” I says, “would you get a load of those bumper stickers? That sort of trash talk should be against the law!”
“Ida, some folks wear stupid like a badge of honor.”
“I know, and they’re too stupid to realize it. I hope I don’t get stuck talkin’ to that moron!”
So you go inside, and by and by you meet the sweetest couple. Have a great conversation. Then you happen to be walkin’ out to your car and low and behold, they’re right ahead of you. And oh my God, they get into the truck! You know, the one with the bumper stickers. As you watch the truck drive away, you feel kind of stunned. How could you have misjudged their character so?
“Darn it! They seemed like such a nice couple, too, didn’t they Charlie?”
“They were nice. Kind folks who’d give you the shirt off their back if you were in trouble.”
For cryin’ in your chowdah! I don’t know what to do with this information! It’s just so confusing!
When we get home, I empty my pockets and find the little scrap of paper with the couple’s name and number. Now, I’m really torn. Throwing it away seems kind of cold, but then there’s the bumper stickers. I have no answers here, folks, I’m just hoping I’m not alone on this.
Me, I personally don’t share political stuff on facebook. I might “like” something I agree with, but I don’t feel the need to share it with my “friends,” because I know some of them don’t believe the same things I do. I’m fine with that. Okay, to be honest here, I’ve ended up “hiding” an acquaintance or two or three because they were ruining my day. I don’t go in for this mean-spirited stuff. I don’t care what side of the fence it’s coming from. We don’t need any more of that kind of finger pointing and mud slinging in this world. The folks in Washington have that covered!
I’m comforted by my belief that at their core, most people really are nice and would gladly pitch in to help you in a crisis. I’m also comforted by the fact that every time Charlie and me go to the polls to cast our ballot, we’ll be canceling out that other couple’s vote.
That’s it for now. Catch you on the flip side!
Hear Ida Tell It: Confused in Mahoosuc Mills
Coming Up This Week
March 31 & April 1: Ida’s Havin’ a Yard Sale, The Footlights Theatre, http://www.thefootlightsinfalmouth.com/, 7:30pm, Falmouth, ME
Upcoming Shows and Book Events
April 6: A Visit With Ida, First Congregational Church, (open to the public) potluck at 6:00pm, show at 7:00pm, Hampton, NH
June 9: Book Reading: The Sweet Life, Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library Literary Luncheon, https://bbhlibrary.org/ 11:30am, Boothbay Harbor, ME