We finally finished our Christmas shopping yesterday. I doubt that any that we’re buying for reads this blog so I think I’m safe. We went just down the road and bought some honey from the local Anderdon Bee Co. We were chatting with the owners; I had worked with his mother. The co-owner asked me an interesting question.
Are you from around here because I think I recognize you?
It turned out to be an innocent question; she had seen my face many times walking Jaimie up and down the road. That led to a great question about pets as her cat rubbed itself up my leg. It’s funny how a simple question like that can lead to different discussions though.
A similar question caused a person in the British Royal Staff her job recently.
Where are you from?
Details here.
I got to thinking about the difference between the two questions. Both, I’m guessing, I’m hoping, were initially asked to just start a conversation. The second one goes much deeper though. You really need to read the entire article including the details of the interaction.
I read another story this morning that I found really interesting. First, I wasn’t aware that there was a big deal attached to being from the North of India and the South of India. The response from the son affirms that things are right in this world if you look for them. Rather than identifying as from either, he replied that he was a “Nouth Indian”.
What a lovely response and I think that it should be a reminder to all of sense and sensibility. (Sorry, Jane Austin) There’s a good discussion about it here.
The best advice is:
Better to Remain Silent and Be Thought a Fool than to Speak and Remove All Doubt
And there’s a lot of background, including a biblical reference, dealing with that quote.
doug -- off the record 
Please share your thoughts here. I’d enjoy reading them.