Tuesday, February 24, 2009

It Made Me Laugh

I took my daughter out for tacos last night. I've been working hard cleaning out our storage unit and also painting my bedroom, and there was no way I was going to make dinner. My husband took the boys to Wendy's (for some reason, they didn't inherit my taco-loving genes). Anyway, we went inside and were seated at a table when an older gentleman, probably in his mid-fifties, came in and ordered, followed shortly by two younger men, probably in their early twenties, both of whom had longer hair.

The older man struck up a conversation, the jist of which was that he too had long hair until he went on his mission, which changed his life, and he realized the error of his ways. The two younger men were very polite and listened to him respectfully, although I could tell they wished he'd just leave them alone. He then asked them if they were going to school or working. They replied that they were working, and he asked where.

"The state liquor store," one of them replied. I almost choked on my drink.

"I never go there," the older man said. His food was now ready and he left. I snuck a peek at the two younger guys. They shrugged and that was the end of it for them. They didn't say anything about him behind his back, which I thought was pretty cool. I mean, when someone "kindly" sets us straight about the error of our ways, how often do we take it in such stride?

I was still struggling to hold in my laughter. My daughter wanted to know what was so funny, and I told her I'd explain it when we got to the car. You see, it had occurred to me that these young men might really have jobs at the liquor store, but they also might have been yanking the older guy's chain. I badly wanted to know. I mean, I really, really, massively wanted to know. But then I realized I had paint all over my clothes and no make-up on and I was covered in dirt (painting + storage unit = unpresentable) so I didn't go over and ask them. Regardless of where they work, their response was perfect.

Of course, I'd like to see every young man serve a mission. But it wasn't even clear if these guys were LDS - that's sort of important to know before you start asking them about mission plans. And everyone has their free agency. Props to those two young men for A) being polite B) taking a stand and C) not railing on the guy as soon as his back was turned. I'm impressed.

6 comments:

Josi said...

That is funny, and impressive that they didn't get 'mean'.

Don said...

You could always go "browse" at the liquor store, just to find out for sure. If you need an excuse, Vodka is an extremely useful solvent and cleaning agent.

C. Michelle Jefferies said...

LOL
Personally, I love guys with nice clean taken care of long hair. My DH's hair hangs just past his collar and is silky blonde in color.

He is active LDS and he grows it out because: 1) I love it long. It was past his shoulders ten or so years ago just before he cut it off to apply to BYU. and 2) my mom hates it. :) Nuff said.

While I don't have an issue with a guy with a ponytail. I don't dislike nice short cuts either, I just like long better.

Others might have an issue with long hair. I understand missionary's and church authoritys have short hair probably for apearance reasons.

In my opinion everyone has a right to thier own personal beliefs. Isn't that why we have free agency?

Haley Hatch Freeman said...

I enjoyed reading this. I didn't know for sure where it was going to take me... I thought, "Maybe a missionary type story where the older man ends up telling them about the church and converting them or something." Then it turned all around to where the two men were the "good guys."
I am WAY curious now too if they just said that or if they really did work at the liquor store, how funny!

G. Parker said...

I'm with you, I would have thought the guys would be rude or make snide comments after he left. I'm impressed. I guess we have preconceived notions about how people will respond to conversation like that. I know what I've seen. I think the older gentleman was a little odd to start that kind of a conversation, but perhaps that was his way of trying to share the gospel. I guess it wouldn't occur to me, which is a telling point. Considering your dilemma of approaching them, I would have thought you had the perfect disguise. When would they ever see you, and like you were dressed -- again?? And, being a writer is a great excuse. "I'm researching a book on long haired men..." lol
I would have been laughing too. Did you get everything done?

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

That is impressive.

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