Maybe it’s a small town phenomenon. Maybe it only happens in this small town. I don’t know, but my husband and I noticed the difference almost immediately after we moved here three months ago from the Chicago suburbs. The friendliness. The smiles. The way people take time to stop and chat to strangers like us.
It began with the morning walks we take every day. The path that goes past our house to the beach is a popular one with joggers and cyclists and people out walking their dogs. We were stunned by how everyone we met greeted us with a smile and a friendly, “Good morning.” If we stopped to watch the boats on the lake or a fisherman casting his line, we often found ourselves in a friendly conversation with a passerby. People wave if we’re sitting on our front porch.
Then there was the day I ran into the bank on a quick errand, my mind distracted by dozens of other errands on my list. The teller said something to me as I handed her my deposit slip but I didn’t catch it. “Pardon me?” I said.
She smiled. “I asked how your day is going for you.’” I barely knew how to reply! But my errands suddenly seemed less urgent as I took time to chat with her about weekend plans.
Moving to another state meant a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles for new driver’s licenses and plates for our cars. I steeled myself for the ordeal. We’ve moved numerous times over the years and I knew what to expect at the DMV. The underpaid, overworked civil servants in these busy offices rarely have much to smile about. But the people in our new hometown office were some of the friendliest I’ve ever met. The gentleman who gave me my vision test joked about the elderly woman who kept asking him where the focus knob was. The woman who took my driver’s license photo asked if I liked it or should she take it again. And when we were all finished, the man who had spent so much time doing our paperwork smiled and said, “Welcome to our community. I hope you enjoy it here.”
One of our neighbors delivered freshly-baked cookies to our door when she came to introduce herself. I didn’t think people did that anymore. The clerks who ring up our order in the supermarket chat with us as if we’ve known each other all our lives. Other bikers stop to tell us which new trails we should try. Strangers in the Farmer’s Market offer advice about where to buy the sweetest corn, the juiciest watermelon. A woman from one of the churches we visited came by with a loaf of fresh bread and other goodies from the town’s favorite bakery. My young neighbor across the street offered to water my plants when we went away for a weekend—and I’d only met her five minutes earlier!
I confess that I was very suspicious, at first. Why were people being so nice? Was it a trick? A scam? Did they want something from me? Sadly, I’ve built a huge wall of skepticism after living in an unfriendly metropolitan area for the past twenty-two years. But those walls are quickly toppling—and here’s the latest reason why. As I was writing this blog, one of our neighbors came to the door with this beautiful bouquet of flowers. He’d just picked them from his garden. For us!
The Bible says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22), which means that the people in this town are going to live long, healthy lives. In his book, Run With the Horses, Eugene Peterson says, “You cannot be the person God wants you to be if you keep yourself aloof from others.” So I’ve been practicing my smile. I’ve decided I want a dose of God’s medicine.
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Your new neighborhood sounds delightful, Lynn! We made the opposite move a year and a half ago—from small town into the city. Our “city” is on the small side, but whereas when we moved into our small-town house we were showered with four pies and two dozen cookies, only one neighbor welcomed us to the city. So we decided we’d introduce ourselves to our city neighbors by taking cookies to them. It was obvious they were each very suspicious of these country hicks standing at their door with a plate of cookies, but those visits did seem to break the ice. We now know each of the families on our street by name, and have had the three closest to us over for supper and VERY enjoyable conversation. And now when we’re walking to our little post office or out working in the yard in the evening, we can greet the people we encounter by name.
Oh, love this image of your new community. I live in the city — but my neighbourhood had that small town vibe for years. Now they are building tons of condos and the population in the area has increased and the atmosphere has changed from friendly to harried. LOL I dream of moving to a small town, but wondered if nowadays it would be any different. You’ve restored my hope that it can be. 🙂
I live in a rural area and some of your comments made me think of something that sometimes happens when we are out walking, my husband used to joke that it was hard to do it for exercise because so many stopped and asked if he needed a ride!
On the blessing side of that, when my dad was still in his own apartment but starting to suffer from dementia he would walk a lot. We realized he wasn’t safe anymore on his own when someone took the time to let us know he had wandered out of town to a less traveled road on a hot day with nothing to drink. They took the time to give him something to drink and bring him back to town. After we moved him to a more secure housing situation we heard many stories of how people had aided him when he was out walking (yes it would have been nice to know some of the things earlier to help our decision), but they took the time to help.
The trail reminds me of the Rails to Trails I’ve ridden my bicycle on here in Alabama. And I love the beach, anywhere! Not sure where your new community is located but here in the south no matter the size of the city, everyone is friendly!
That’s an amazing story, Gail. I wish we all took such good care of each other. Thanks for sharing.
As one who lives a little too close to Washington, DC to even imagine what you described, I think you moved to heaven and simply haven’t seen the Pearly Gates yet. It sounds *wonderful.* Enjoy the blessed inspiration of cheerful neighbors!
I Know what you mean, Leslie. Before moving here from the Chicago area I never would have believed that people could be so nice.
Hi Lynn! I really feel this is a case of, “Stop and Smell The Roses.”
Life these days it seems, is all hustle and bustle with loads of stress but it is so heartening to hear of your experience with the people in your neighbourhood.:) I am sure you make the people around you, feel happy with your smiles and warmth.
We are very fortunate that we live in the foothills where people are friendly and it is no hardship to pop into the local coffee shop for a chat and of course, a coffee:). Even if we didn’t know the patrons we were always made welcome. and it was such fun to participate.It became a regular “get together ” and our book club evolved and flourished.:)
My husband and I also walked every evening along the foreshore and it was amazing the number of people who would smile and ask us how our day had been. They were complete strangers to us but as we walked consistently we came to know their names. After awhile, we actually looked to see if Joe was coming down the path or Mary was walking her dog and if we didn’t see them we would wonder if all was well. Just a matter of looking out for each other.
Fate unfortunately intervened and I fractured my knee and for some months I was unable to walk but when we began our nightly walks again, the welcoming smiles and warm comments were as “sunny” as before.:) It gave us a strong feeling of “.belonging.”
I definitely would encourage anyone to stop and smell the roses..a wonderful way in which to alleviate stress.
Hope you and your hubby enjoy your day, Lynne.
Waving to all my beautiful friends across the (s)miles! 🙂
Life here certainly has helped me remember to stop and smell the roses, Rosie. I highly recommend it!
Aren’t you lucky to have found such a wonderful new home? But I suspect it has little to do with luck and lots to do with God’s blessing you and your family. Keep writing. I love them all. I just bought Pilgrimage and will start it soon.
Thanks for the encouragement, Pat. I hope you enjoy “Pilgrimage.” Blessings!
I think it’s your new hometown. I’m a city girl, but got to visit my relatives in small towns in Iowa growing up. Everyone there was/is friendly and caring. It’s one of the things I love about small towns compared to big cities. I envy you your new, beautiful home. Someday, maybe we can move to such a place.
Looks and sounds like Northport michigan, my favorite town and where my husband and I hope to retire one day.
It’s not Northport it’s Holland. And I just read in “Parade” magazine that it was voted one of the top 10 best “Main Streets” in America. I can see why. But we’re loving all of Michigan.
Your new town sounds wonderful Lynn! Thanks for sharing with us!
Yes, it already feels like home.
So happy you’re living in a friendly area, Lynn! 🙂 I had to smile as I read, because a lot of the south is friendly and caring (not ALL of it, of course—but a good bit). In my area it’s very rare to encounter an unfriendly salesperson, and I’ve had delightful conversations with strangers in the grocery store and post office. LOVE it!!
I’m glad you all are getting settled in your new home—the area really sounds lovely (besides being friendly). 😉
Hugs from Georgia, Patti Jo
I agree Patti Jo that the south is very friendly, too. I’ve been to Atlanta a few times and loved it.
Hello Lynn. I am so happy for you to have moved into a area that makes you happy. It is a blessing to find so much love and kindness where you live. I have always loved the small places because of these reasons. I live in Texas and find most people are nice and friendly. Bless you. Maxie
This sounds like a wonderful place to live. I hope that someday when my husband and I move again we can find one just as friendly.