What ever happened to being nice?

The effort to smile and say “How ya doing my friend”, is no greater mental effort than to frown and say “Shove it up your fly nest, idiot!” Yet some of us have a difficult time deciding on which approach or better yet, level to take.

When I was a kid and forced to go on Sunday rides with the folks I can remember Dad driving with his left arm resting in the car window and ever so often he would just raise his hand and wave to a passing motorist who in turn would wave back. To him, that’s what you did in public and I thought it was normal and proper. Now, as a middle aged adult, I don’t see that anymore unless they’re gay or giving some total stranger the finger because they don’t like their bumper sticker or they look gay.

The fine art of being hospitable and non-asinine is too often vague and kept hidden behind a façade of distrust or discuss. Sadly…..granny’s day of sitting on the front porch in her swing and waving at passing strollers has been replaced by Kevlar shawls and drive-by barriers. Rest in peace Granny…..we have screwed it up.

The last time I saw true and sincere courtesy and friendship was when I returned back home from the Gulf war. Everybody was smiling and waving and hugging each other. It was a blessed thing to see. I even had a total stranger walk up to me in “the wagon wheel” bar in Harker Heights Texas and shake my hand and hug me. Very friendly and warm……until he starting rubbing my butt.....