Straight from The Horse’s Mouth

You know you're a red neck when the saleslady from the big city takes pity on you.

Yesterday I went to College Station to purchase a large ticket item not available in Buffalo. The saleslady was honest, as far as I could tell, and full of information about the product. We were getting along just fine until I told her I lived in a small town. Her manner changed and she suggested I not buy the kit, but research it first. She recommended I look it up on the Internet, question manufacturers and consult other stores. Her words were "You should research first, knowing how hard it is for people in small towns to avoid being taken advantage of." Wuh wuh wuh WHAT?

Oh my. I got in my car (empty handed because I felt offended) and thought, boy do I have a topic for this week's column! A stereotype is a too-simple and therefore distorted image of a group, such as "country people are stupid." Was the saleslady implying that I was unprepared, uneducated or incapable of making intelligent consumer decisions? No one could know those answers from the fact that I live in a small town. Appearances, accent and place of residence says little of a person's IQ or ability to pay.

I had a preconceived notion of what a small town was like, so I suppose I am guilty too. But some of the stereotypes are right: Folks gossip over morning coffee, and everyone at the cafe knows your name, and your dog's name, too! The streets are nearly empty at night and churches are full on Sunday. I know folks in Buffalo you might assume have limited education due to their relaxed articulation. Yet, I've heard lofty and complex colloquy delivered with an East Texas accent so thick you'd swear new syllables had been invented.

Anyway, we're in a small town for the same reasons. Some of us were born locally, and some have moved in. Most have high school educations, many higher and some at the doctorate level. Businesses are run by the book and with street smarts. Last week I mentioned that we are a microcosm of American culture. Yes, we are. You'll find everything here you might experience in the big city. But, I for one, certainly enjoy being able to drive for half an hour without seeing another car, being able to see the stars at night and hear the birds sing the sun up.

Scheduling note: we're having an Open Mic Night this Friday. It'll be a warm up for the Spring Fest. New singers are always welcomed and this month we'd like to try a little stand up comedy. Come on, give it a try, there must be a few Jeff Foxworthy's out there.