tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post7631762640356142742..comments2015-08-04T11:22:09.720-05:00Comments on Reading, Writing, and Rambling: Stranger in My HomelandPat O'Dea Rosenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18221195882816387110noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-22937884331180721132012-09-20T09:27:20.946-05:002012-09-20T09:27:20.946-05:00Yes, Sheila, we all did meet on the internet becau...Yes, Sheila, we all did meet on the internet because we were friendly. I don't think the people I encountered in Pennsylvania were unfriendly--just not welcoming of strangers the way most Texans are.Lark Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13363455770588651569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-24195430921254978802012-09-19T22:13:55.567-05:002012-09-19T22:13:55.567-05:00Wow, that seems so strange to me too, Lark. I come...Wow, that seems so strange to me too, Lark. I come from a small town and everyone is so friendly, I just expect them to be when I go out of town too. There's something so comforting about talking to a stranger and getting a friendly response back. :) I mean, that's how all of us met on the Internet, isn't it?Sheila Seabrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17365100511100802221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-30585175180214011592012-09-19T16:38:22.597-05:002012-09-19T16:38:22.597-05:00You definitely have challenges, Louise, with such ...You definitely have challenges, Louise, with such diverse cultures! But it must be interesting as well.Lark Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13363455770588651569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-71535856182025191772012-09-19T15:57:09.634-05:002012-09-19T15:57:09.634-05:00Funny how culture changes us, isn't it? I work...Funny how culture changes us, isn't it? I work with immigrants and health care workers, both of whom have their own unique cultures and they often don't match too well.Louise Behielhttp://louisebehiel.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-35609122829272098522012-09-19T13:40:00.981-05:002012-09-19T13:40:00.981-05:00I'm late to the party because of Internet issu...I'm late to the party because of Internet issues, and since we're in Texas, any gathering IS a party.<br /><br />I can relate, Lark. Like you, I've lived longer in Texas than in my native NJ. In all my years here, I think I've encountered two not-so-nice waiters--less than one per decade. Like you, I've come to expect friendliness and warmth. <br /><br />When I first moved here, I was amazed that check-out clerks in grocery stores would ask me how I intended to cook the meat I'd purchased or what I was going to do with that spaghetti squash. Now it seems normal to chat with strangers, although I know I retain a Yankee reserve.<br /><br />Even though I gripe about Houston's heat and hate the traffic, the billboards, and the low-walkability of my part of town, I love the people. Pat O'Dea Rosenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18221195882816387110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-49082142693606551882012-09-19T09:24:14.983-05:002012-09-19T09:24:14.983-05:00How great is it that the people at Little Pappasit...How great is it that the people at Little Pappasito's made your friend feel so welcomed, Sarah! He'll always remember Texans fondly.<br /><br />We enjoyed a similar welcome in Ireland and can't wait to go back. How you feel about a place is often determined by how you feel about its people, isn't it?Lark Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13363455770588651569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-69821682733535081542012-09-19T09:19:03.684-05:002012-09-19T09:19:03.684-05:00You're right, Liz. When I first arrived in Tex...You're right, Liz. When I first arrived in Texas, I thought these people were a bit crazy and now I think they're normal!Lark Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13363455770588651569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-74087416388452941922012-09-19T06:10:43.183-05:002012-09-19T06:10:43.183-05:00How interesting! I remember being shocked at how f...How interesting! I remember being shocked at how friendly and talkative people are in Houston, although it was so long ago I'd forgotten until your post.<br /><br />For ex., Admitting to the server at the Rally's drive-thru window that I'd just moved here and never been to a Rally's brought all the cooks and counter-people to the window to shake my hand and welcome me. <br /><br />Last year my husband and I took one of his associates from China to Little Pappasito's and bought him his first margarita. Of course the entire loud bar and busy bartenders all stopped and welcomed him and waited as he took his first sip... he was so overwhelmed at the friendliness that he took pictures with his phone camera! Of them, the guy making guacamole at tableside etc.! <br /><br />I was thrilled Houston had welcomed him like that.<br />Glad you're home!Sarah Andrehttp://www.sarahandre.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2140630815526406811.post-78162934378670015692012-09-18T20:30:53.247-05:002012-09-18T20:30:53.247-05:00Perception is such a funny thing. Those are the th...Perception is such a funny thing. Those are the things I miss when I go somewhere else, too. I think we all embrace our own kind of friendliness.Liz Flahertyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794565644883272260noreply@blogger.com