One Blog at a Time

January 26, 2020 "You gone long time."

PROMPT January 26 ▼

Yesterday was Opposite Day!

Today I want you to take the opposite point of view.

Imagine a place you go to regularly - the gym, your regular coffee shop, wherever you choose. Take up the POV of the person at the counter, the bike across from you, any one person you choose.

What's your first impression of yourself?

Is it the real you or one you plan and project?

Being a long time resident in a small community, I think the perception of those I encounter is often preconceived as I addressed in my blog, Big Fish in a Small Pond. I am usually greeted with welcome and respect which I have come to expect. What has surprised me is that this can and does extend outside my small world.

Approximately, every 6 weeks, I visit for about a week at a time, my son and family in southern California. Sometimes while I am visiting I go to a nail salon relatively close to his home for a pedicure. I often take my daughter in law and/or granddaughters for a salon day. No appointment necessary, the shop is operated by small, lovely, Vietnamese women chattering away in a language of which I have no understanding. It is always busy with from 6 to 8 operators on the job at all times. I've gotten to know most of these ladies over the last few years I have been going there. They are each unique with fascinating stories to tell

Whenever I walk through the door I am greeted by name, "you been gone long time", "come sit, we'll be right with you" even though there are others already waiting. I believe it is true, Asian cultures have more respect for age than some cultures and I am old, and I do spend a lot of money in their shop when I visit. But the shop is always busy and they have regulars that spend a lot of money there too. I'm not fooling myself that I am anyone special, but they treat me like a VIP. They seem to genuinely like me. My daughter in law says whenever she goes without me, they always ask when will I be back. I love the hot rock foot massage by C.C., very therapeutic, she has magic in her hands.

Bottom line, I believe that how you treat others, boomerangs back to you.

the welcome smile
in the ripples of the pond
is my reflection
                    ~~jvg