Six Degrees of Tif

I’m continually amused by the interconnectivity of life; how even one polite or rude gesture from a stranger can otherwise turn my average day either a little up or a little down. I continue to look for the six-degrees of separation in life and am always tickled when they show up.

It’s probably a safe bet that we could all agree that for the most part we operate under an Ozark’s Code of Manners. If driving in southwest Missouri and you allow another car to pull in front of you thereby avoiding the gridlock that is coming, you expect that “thank you wave.” Nothing big. Nothing elaborate, just a short little burst of a wave – using all the fingers – to say “Thank you” “Appreciated it.”

If I don’t get the wave, I can get a little miffed. “Where’s the wave?” Same thing if a car lets you cross in front of a store. The expectation is that you trot or jog, whatever’s possible, and that you give the wave.

It’s just common courtesy, Ozark style.

Also, there’s nothing wrong with “Yes, Ma’am” and “No, Sir”, especially when speaking to someone in authority or out of respect. Older people expect it and most middle-age folks got their backsides swatted as kids if they didn’t speak politely.

We’ve raised the boys to open and hold the doors for ladies. That’s just good manners; I don’t care where you’re from.

All of these small gestures can really have an impact – and most often positively – on my day.
Manners at its purest are acting in a manner that does not offend and puts others at ease. (Degree of Separation #1)

My friend Tif Slinkard has great manners. She’s knows what fork to use and she can properly address an envelope to her elected representative, but more importantly she always puts everyone around her at ease. (Degree of Separation #2)

I’ve often lived through Tif vicariously. She and her husband Phil attend lots of big concerts put on by famous musicians. I love music, but hates crowds so I like to hear Tif talk about her trips. She’s heard lots of big artists Harry Connick Jr., U2, Billy Joel, etc. (Degree of Separation #3)

Unfortunately I’m not a really fan of some of the artists, although I have always liked and never tire of Bill y Joel’s song “New York State of Mind.” (Degree of Separation #4)

Probably close to 20 years ago, my mom and I took a Crowder sponsored trip to New York City. It was an amazing site-seeing experience, but for the most part I found the people I met stand-offish and rude, by our Ozark standards. (Degree of Separation #5)

You don’t usually find many transplanted New Yorker living in the Ozarks, but that’s exactly what’s happened when John and Alyson Hagianis relocated to Diamond, opening the Diamond Café. They are amazingly nice and their menu is delicious. From the minute you walk in you’ll feel like your guests in their home. (Degree of Separation #6)

I’m up for a dose of good food and great friends. It appears I may soon be treating Tif to lunch in Diamond.