Small Town Hospitality?

I know its been a while.

Been a busy spring/summer here and 'honeydo' lists as long as yer arm.

And it's not like I have a deadline or anything.

So I have some catching up to do.

My first berate is about small town hospitality.

When I was young, I was taught the golden rule; 'Do unto others...' I have pretty much followed that. When I see someone in distress, I help out, do what I can, and if they offer payment, I tell them to just pass it on in kind.

Pay it forward, so to speak.

There, I got my digression out early.

Several weeks ago, M.D.B. and I were out on a tour of car lots on a Saturday evening. We were tire shopping or window kicking, your choice. The reason for this is because you don't get swarmed by salespeople when the lots are closed. (I hate that)

We were driving from Stratford towards Kitchener when Odie, our '98 Windstar, started acting up.

Electrical issues. And oh yeah, it started to rain. After a 3 week drought.

I pointed south aiming for home.

Lights out unless we needed them, no radio, A/C or anything that would use power.

We made it to Tavistock before it dies, and I armstrong steered, blind, into a lot beside a Timmy's.

Can't put the windows up, no power.

We went into Tim's, got a coffee, and called for the hook. Our friend owns a towing service, and we knew we could count on him. (The irony was that our CAA was just activated that day and didn't cover towing yet.)

The rain let up and we went back out. I popped the tailgate open and got out the lawnchairs for M.D.B. and myself, then I popped the hood to look around. Nothing I could do, so we sat, drank our coffee, and watched the traffic at Tim's

Hood up, watching cars.

Fun and games in Tavistock on a Saturday Night.

Many people drove in and out of Timmies, looked at us with our hood up, and said nothing. Not one local asked us us if we needed help or a boost or a phone.

Nothing.

Where I'm from, an open hood is a signal for help. Apparently in Tavistock, its amusement.

After a while, M.D.B. and I wanted to start throwing up score cards.

Much sooner than expected, Jay from Affordable Towing and Recovery showed up, and loaded up Odie for his last trip home.

So, are we that jaded now that we don't offer help to people obviously in distress?

Or does no one give a shit anymore?

Oh, and never go shopping for a new vehicle in the one you are replacing.

It hurts their feelings.

DJW

Odie has been replaced by Geri, a very gently used Rendezvous, and M.D.B. is very happy.