Friday 7 July 2017

Presumption of friendship

I've never met an American I didn't like. The young and burly Homeland Security guy that I met at immigration may have scared me a little, but he was perfectly pleasant. And wonderfully efficient. The young man in Utah that took $200 dollars off us after our car was towed...extremely nice, very friendly and almost apologetic. Obviously, I haven't met the entire nation, and I fully accept that there will be exceptions. And I'm big and ugly enough to accept that not everyone is going to like me.
Taken from a bus in Utah;  Zion National Park, I think!
Our recent trip has reinforced the belief that everyone will be polite and friendly, in response to polite and friendly. I love that the guy at the table next to us in the Bakery at Kanab, Utah recognised our accents and wanted to tell us all about his trip to Great Britain, that the girl who served us Pizza in Flagstaff, Arizona thought we were Canadian, and that a very nice young woman in Anthropologie,(back in Eagle, Idaho) admired my sandals, which caused me such surprise that her kind enthusiasm for my accent left me a little word shy. See how I got three States into the story? We met a lot of people.
I had a message from Kathy that she lived a mere 5 hours from Idaho, read my blog and would like to meet. So....we did.
Mike wore a collared shirt to meet us on account of our being British. Perfect!
Now if ever the presumption of friendship is thrown into question, you can quote this 'incident'. Kathy is not (yet) a blogger, but she reads WOYWW and follows several of us Deskers. You will have seen her desk on WOYWW422 (the wrongly numbered one). We may never have met, but we already know that we have craft in common. And then, the rest comes naturally. I think both of our husbands came because it's a long journey...but also, it's 'strangers off the internet' again isn't it, and if either of us had indeed turned out to be axe murderers, our heroes were there to defend us. In reality, we had a lovely meal, lots of soda (because it was hot, man and we had a lot to talk about). Four hours after we met, Mike started to make noises about going home, after all, its over a two hour trip. It only took another 40 minutes to get us to the point of departure....there is always so much to say. I hope, Kathy, that you're reading this in your wonderful craft space and thinking of the nice afternoon we had together, and I really hope that we can repeat it!
Oh, and just as a by-the-way...I didn't buy anything in Anthropologie. Strong and sensible shopper!





15 comments:

peggy gatto said...

How very nice of you to post!!!

Sue said...

Hi Julia, I agree usually if you are nice, you get nice back at you.

So glad you met up with Kathy.

Hope you have a nice evening and a lovely weekend. Sue

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

After all the bickering, back stabbing, and tongue lashings we experienced after the election of the president, it was awesome to read good things about we who live in the states. I know you and Kathy are friends for life, and I know meeting like minded artists is something we all aspire for. Thanks for the kind words pointed not just toward Kathy, but also to us (the U.S.) in general.

pearshapedcrafting said...

It sounds as though you had a really good time! (I am slightly jealous of the road trip nature of your trip too!)
I totally get this when I was able to meet up with blog friend Patty from the US in Paris last year - the hubbies got on fine and we talked each other's ears off while the men took photos! May have to pick up some tips from you, although i don't know whether T would enjoy driving on the "wrong" side of the road! Hugs, Chrisx

Helen said...

I'm not surprised that you met lots of nice people, the not nice ones are surely in the minority everywhere (well I hope so!) What a fabulous time you had with Kathy, (hi Kathy! get blogging!) Well done on your strength in Anthropologie!

May said...

I love Americans they are genuine friendly people...I'm so glad Julia you made some crafty friends along the way... Fabulous post!! Come on Kathy Join us lot on a Wednesday... May x

Lunch Lady Jan said...

I'll sign the petition to get Kathy blogging! How lovely that you had such a great meeting xx

Unknown said...

It's down to woyww that I hosted Liverpool and met up with Jozart and then the two of us flew over to lujubliana paired up in case Dolores turned out to be a mad ace woman stalking her craft prey courtesy of you Mrs D, as with your time with Kathy we shared food drinks and a bit of our lives, more importantly we cemented lifelong friendship...distance no object... shame no purchases in anthropology ... dxxxx

Elizabeth said...

Lovely post, Julia, and I just have to agree with you - Americans are a polite and friendly people in my experience. And I can also testify to the friendliness of WOYWWers. Heavens, if it wasn't for WOYWW I wouldn't have met you, LLJ, and Di! And I'm looking forward to meeting many more in September. Hopefully, Kathy will start a blog sometime, if only to share her desk every Wednesday. Well done for not buying anything in Anthropologie - show's remarkable discipline. Elizabeth xx

Kyla said...

Sounds like you have been having a blast :-)

Kyla

Lynn Holland said...

In Miami 28 years ago when we got married we had our car towed away. Cost us a fortune to get it back even though the compound people were mightily impressed that our friends address was THE OLD POLICE STATION.
I didn't buy my dress until I got there and the shopkeepers were over the top with excitement that we had gone all that way to get married. I think it was a bit of a novelty then. It was bloody good fun and we never stopped laughing for a fortnight.
You've had a fabulous adventure Julia, lots of great memories.
Lynn xx

Neet said...

Hey, what's with this "soda"? Had to smile as `i always come back from our trip to America with my "cell phone". Funny isn't it how these alternative words stick in the mind when we have visited that wonderful country. Yes, it is wonderful in so many ways but none less than for the friendships that are founded because the people are 'so nice'.
Hugs, Neet xx

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

I really enjoyed reading about your adventures in the States, Julia! I've never been but I used to work with Americans. They're indeed very friendly and often with larger than life personalities. How lovely that you were able to meet up with a follower and she didn't turn out to be a stalker with an axe LOL! One day we might take a road trip Stateside too, but I'll have to gather my courage first!

Darnell said...

Lovely post, Julia, and a pleasure to meet Kathy through you! As an American, I can return the flavor of your compliments wholeheartedly! I found the British to be consistently kind and friendly all around your great country! I mean, of course, my bloggie friends were, but so were perfect strangers. I hope you had a happy birthday! I don't see anyone else mentioned it, so perhaps I have it wrong? Lots of love, Darnell

Suzanne Alexis said...

Americans love foreign accents and will be pretty nice to visitors. When we were in Utah, I was impressed by the politeness of the people. I'm glad you had such a nice time.

Suzanne