I have to say I kind of agree with the whole fake niceness of American shop people being weird. Like the whole having people to say hello to you as you come in? Creepy. People constantly asking you with big smiles if you need help? Creepy. People at the till telling you to have a great day? Just a big lie! I’ve worked in shops, I know you don’t give a crap whether I have a nice day or not, and you’re only saying it because your boss will fire you if you don’t. Which makes me complicit in your lack of agency. Weird and creepy. I’ll take honest rudeness every time. That said, people in smaller shops rather than chains don’t seem to do it as much, and are just generally nice.
Londoners have all been pretty friendly since I moved here too, which stereotypes would say is unlikely. That said, the stand on the right, walk on the left thing is STRICTLY followed. I’ve never seen anyone not do it. Don’t know what would happen if it did.
A friend of mine from Finland took a really long time to get used to small talk in Ireland. In Finland, you don't even make eye contact with people in shops, let alone chat to them. She's had people looking at her very strangely since moving back because she's accidentally smiled at a baby in the street or something.
Happy Birthday (((( Askye )))) Love ya
Happy Birthday askye! Ooh, and! Happy Bloomsday!
I am missing the snotgreen sea in Dublin today.
Insomnia fairie can bite it. Blargh. Wednesday is going to suck. .
Happy Birthday, Askye!!!
Maria, I can definitely relate to that Italian gene and jewellery thing.
Happiest of birthdays, Askye!
Firstly, because I rarely bother to swap out my necklace and secondly because I feel like a hypocrite wearing a cross given my heathenistic tendencies.
And it doesn't help to tell yourself that you're wearing them in case of vampire attack?
the snotgreen sea in Dublin
That should be the name of a band, or the title of a novel or some such.
Best wishes to Askye and smonster on their important days.
Is June over yet? I'm tired already because of (in no particular order):
Three high school graduations (one for son of a friend, one was my daughter's, and one I helped with the dessert reception for) - 3 nights out until 10-11pm within 7 days.
The 3-day whirlwind MIL visit that went with my daughter's graduation (lovely, but exhausting) and seeing my parents (wonderful, but Dad is looking very frail and that hurts).
End of school trips, barbeques, pizza parties, assemblies, plays, half-days, and OMG FINALS AND PAPERS for the 2 in elementary school and the 2 in high school.
Paying a shiva (house of mourning) call at the home of a local Chabad rabbi whose wife (age 49, director of a large preschool, legendary teacher, wife, and mother of 6) died suddenly of the cancer no one knew was there. (Can I get a "F*ck Cancer" from the congregation? Thank you.)
The 25th anniversary (today) of a strong, wonderful marriage (first guy that asked me, too) - but there's no time to celebrate now because of DH's work and all the stuff listed above, so I'm frustrated that we don't get to play and enjoy our special day.
Still to come in June: DD#2 leaves today for two weeks in Memphis to visit a schoolmate, a wedding and sheva brachos (festive meal with the new marrieds during the first week after the wedding) for the daughter of a friend, the start of the day camp that DD#3 and DD#4 attend and of the other day camp that DD#1 is a head counselor for, and DH leaves for a 4-day business trip. And then the weekend of July 4 we celebrate America's birthday and my mom's 70th with an extended family gathering.
Yeah, I need more sleep. Most of this is good and fun stuff and full of blessings, but - whew! Where are my quiet routines and my second cup of tea for the morning?
Aww, Shari, happy anniversary to you, even if life does insist on getting in the way of celebrating!
(Also, how on earth is DD1 out of high school? In my mind, she's Stor-sized!)
