This and That

I remember when I was young and we used to walk the streets downtown shopping.  Often we would cross the street catty-corner, or Jaywalk.  I don’t even know if that is still against the law, or even done anymore.  Malls have become so popular that most downtown stores have closed.  When I was young, though, it was a big deal.

There were no malls when I was a child.  You parked your car in a parking space as close as possible to the stores you wanted to shop in.  Parking meter times had to be closely monitored.  If your meter’s time ran out, you got a ticket.  If it rained, you got wet. 

There were no handicap parking spaces, ramps or wide doors to accommodate wheelchairs.  Men opened doors for women and women smiled and said thank you.  Sales clerks were friendly and helpful, or they looked for another job.  Stores were clean and neat.  If someone started cussing, fussing or making a scene, they were escorted out of the store or the police were called.

Manners and politeness seem to have gone the way of the Zoot Suit and crinoline skirts.  It has been a long time since I was at a store, at work, a restaurant or any place in the public that someone wasn’t using language that was not appropriate or being rude to people around them.  I remember that my Daddy always said that people cursed because they had a small vocabulary.  I think that is true.

Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I like the old ways.  The times when people helped each other, were kind to each other and went out of their way to see that others were cared for.  We have gotten so used to trying to cram a lot of things into our lives that we have forgotten how to enjoy them.  We can’t “savor the moment” for trying to rush to the next moment.  Unfortunately, many people get lost in the shuffle and forgotten in that kind of world. 

The handicap ramps and wide doors are nice for those of us that sometimes need them.  Handicap parking spaces are nice, also.  But the world went many years without them and did just fine.  People took the time to help each other instead of fussing about spending money to make sure these things were done.

Those of us that get “those” looks and feel people’s mood change when we are present, know how much the kinder, nicer world is missed.  I don’t want to be treated any differently than anyone else.  I don’t want special attention or to have to have special accommodations.  But such is life for me and many others at this time.  It is not something we asked for or wanted.  It would be a blessing to be lost in the crowd instead of standing out in the crowd.

Just a little this and that for those of us that remember “the good old days”……………….. and poodle skirts and black and white saddle oxfords and long “hippie” dresses…………J