Social-climbers in small towns...

[roots'nbulbs]

funny.

I also like, "What a nice trip! How long did you stay ?....oh-h-h, that was quick."

[Keim]

I like: "Yes, your house is beautiful. How is your mortgage payment? That is the best looking part of my house."

[Bluesmama]

I grew up in a small town where one couldn't fart in the middle of Main Street without word getting out. Population was about 4000, and most of the people lived in the country. But it was still a very tight-knit community, and yes, it had a lot of "social-climbers".

Many of them were big farmers. Their wives weren't too concerned about keeping up with the Joneses ~ they often tried to outshine the Joneses. It hasn't changed. But like Stan4 above said, to join them is a choice. I do plan to return "home" someday, and I'll support the community, but I would not choose to join the snoots.

The uncomfortable "familiarity" within small towns can benefit, though, when there is a need for the community to come together.

[roots'nbulbs]

Presently, I just do not have the time to garner the information for another book idea like the better known Ladies of the Club or The Exclusive of This Town.

Another friend and I were talking about the arcane secrets of the old towne traditions, here. A couple of the houses have 3 stories, the third story being the ball room. Some of the people who are now in their 70's remember the parties, up there.

I remember the stress of Easter Sunday from my childhood. And, I'm not talkin' religion. I'm just sayin' we dressed, I mean Dressed, for that German Lutheran hour + . Whew!

There are a couple of Women's clubs who are still hanging on. One has turned into a service organization and, in my opinion, is to be admired for all the fundraising and hard work to keep our public amenities. The other is still social--and, of course, entertaining to watch at a distance, a far distance, please.

I have heard that they once actually used a contraption called the "black ball." When a new member was proposed, this thing was passed around the room and finally checked to see if someone had (I don't know how it worked) maybe released the ominous, black ball.

Like the Holy Grail, I would love to find out where that thing is as I suspect it to be a shining part of our Americana past. LOL, if it wasn't so 'dark.'

I really think this social history needs to be written before it is all lost and posterity cannot learn from it.

[valkav]

I just moved to a small town and everyone wants to lord it over me that they've beeen here x many years longer than I have. I tell them "My grandmother was born here in 1898." That shuts them up right quick.