Moving to a new town is always stressful. In the first volume I stated that people here honk their horns more than I’ve even heard in Manhattan at rush hour in the rain, and that state law says to stop at crosswalks for pedestrians but when one does, they’re yelled at by the pedestrian as in “what are YOU looking at???”
After finally finding a worthy organization that will accept perfectly good books, clothing and furnishings (others were mostly rude too as in “we don’t take that” or “get a truck”) I decided to look into volunteer opportunities.
A couple of months ago I connected with the right person at the local volunteer center and we had a great meeting and I left feeling buoyed by the thought that this town may actually need and respect volunteers.
I found one organization that has opportunities to be on the board of trustees and sent an email asking for more information. Yesterday I received an email from someone without saying the organization’s identity, demanding to know where I got her name and how I knew of volunteer opportunities. Also that by my phone number I “don’t appear to be local.” Explain even though I don’t even identify the organization I work for.
This organization has a request for information on volunteering by a new, highly skilled newcomer and this is the welcome? Welcome to our city! We’d LOVE to provide you some information on our organization so that you can volunteer your highly prized (and priced) skills for free!
I wrote back that there is no need for open hostility to newcomers or to explain the origin of the phone number I’ve had for the past ten years and that I’ll simply take my talents elsewhere.
Unfortunately I’ve already met with another person at that organization who was very kind and has given me plenty of information to read through (I’m working on it). If the boss is accusatory of newcomers, sadly I’ll have to pass.
This is a very insular town. One person explained to me that people are rude because they were born here, live here and will die here. Their immediate and extended family and high school buddies are all they need. Newcomers are not welcome. Well, that’s what we’re finding out so we’re welcoming all newcomers in our building. We have pot lucks and now I’m providing dinner for all new people on our floor.
Here’s a box of spaghetti and my homemade Bolognese sauce. Here’s a stew I made last night and some noodles to cook with it. I know you’re tired from moving all day and emptying boxes. Welcome, neighbor! If you don’t have pots or pans yet I’ll lend you some. Pay it forward.
We’re used to meeting professionals from all over the world and for us it is a joy to meet new people and learn about their lives, where they’re from, and share family recipes. When an entire town mourns its former glory yet still turns a cold shoulder to new neighbors, one wonders if it is worth living here at all.
Well, we live here. But volunteering is another story. I’m not going to sell my skills for no pay. They should be asking me for my help but they don’t want me and don’t care, so I won’t volunteer. That’s that. Not so cheery, Dee
Cooking with Dee 