#lookingoutforeachother

I’ve been here a week now and I am truly amazed and comforted that there are signs daily of humanity still existing. No, not like people have been wiped out and we are in a zombie apocalypse (even though the current political environment might make you think you’d be better off being a zombie). What I’m referring to are the good ol’ days of helping another human just because it’s the right thing to do.  I’m from the Midwest and to me home seemed like it was filled with kind, friendly people that were willing to give you a hand or help out any way they can. At times, we were like that, but everyday and almost every interaction I have had with someone that is “local”  or at least more seasoned and local than me, has been about them trying to help me out.  

What do I mean by that? Well, you sit down at the bar (any bar), and all you have to do is give the proper greeting: Good Morning, Good Afternoon, or Good Evening, or a simple Good Day usually is well received, then from there you are off to the races having a conversation with someone you just met. I don’t mean idle chit chat, I mean an actual conversation. Usually begins with “where you from” or “how long have you been on island”.  Once I mention I just moved here last week it immediately moves into the typical, “What do you do” or “what brought you here, work?”.  As soon as I say I’m looking for work they inquire into my background and then they start to think of companies or things I can do for employment. It makes networking so much easier. Not only is it about helping you find a job, but you also get invites to go do stuff. 

Just tonight is a prime example. I sat at a bar in a bar I’ve never been in before and I was waiting for my new acquaintance that will be my landlord next month. I was there to present him with a security deposit check that I am forcing him to take. Yep, FORCING him to take it. He was just willing to have me show up Nov 1 and get the key etc. Really? That nice? Well, I won’t have that, so we agreed for a check that he refuses to cash and it isn’t even for 1/2 the first months rent. Nutty!  But okay (he has Midwestern connections in his blood, literally). While I waited for him to arrive, I’m just chatting up with a couple next to me. Very nice folks and I’m totally eavesdropping on their conversation, of course I can’t help but to interject my thoughts and they were ecstatic to continue conversing with me. I was offered a job on the spot, but sadly I’m not a nurse, so it isn’t going to do me any good. (any nurses want to move down here, I have a job for you as soon as you land...granted this one is with a hospice group).  Then chatting it up with another lovely woman about her baby that she brought in with her so she could have a nice meal out. The baby will be 1, it’s a restaurant and no smoking is allowed and it’s not loud at all. That seems pretty normal, then I watch her hand off her child to anyone that wants to take him. He was adorable and well behaved so he was passed around like a tithing basket at church. You read that right, mom is willing to hand off her child to anyone that wanted to take him, but as she told me, they can’t look too shady. Everyone in the bar watched out for him, including myself, and I just met all of these folks. The next thing I know she is inviting me to her son’s 1st birthday party this Saturday, she took my name and number just so she can keep me informed of the plans. I also have an open invite to go sailing with another group of folks. Really?! I haven’t been invited to this many activities by so many different people that I just met since......EVER!!!

Now, I know what you are thinking. These are crazy people, mass murderers, and rapists and I”m an easy target. Well, that is a fair assumption based off where you are coming from; except that is not the case at all here! People are just that friendly and want to help anyone they can that has just moved, because they remember all too well their first days on the island and how they needed help and friends to survive. It’s all about paying it forward and that is how you survive on this particular island.