Small Town Mentality

I grew up in a small town outside of San Francisco. I'd always loved observing the small town mentality. It seems like everyone knows everyone else and all their business. Gossip was always within earshot. With a small population, it's hard not too know what other people are up to. With only one high school and one middle school in the town, it's pretty easy to keep tabs on everyone.

I absolutely hated the small town atmosphere when I was in high school. There was never anything to do. Friday nights consisted of a basketball or football game, then everyone went to hang out at the local diner because it was the only thing open past 10pm. At the time, it was tolerable, but it got old rather quickly. A small, quiet town was ideal for all the adults, but most kids never understood the appeal.

I went away for four years for college. I lived in a much larger city, but nothing too big. I had been scared I wouldn't be able to handle that adjustment. I loved it. There was always something new to do, something new to try. Well once I graduated, I had no real plans, so I packed up my things and moved back home.

Being a few years older, and a bit more mature, I came to appreciate the small town atmosphere. There are nights when I obviously want to go out, but for the most part, it wasn't so bad here. We have a few bars downtown, none I had ever been interested in going to because they seemed to be mostly occupied by older white men, but I had always wondered about them.

Well I finally had my first experience in one of them. I thought I was missing something, but I was wrong. It was like a high school reunion. All the people who never really left high school. I went to one of the most white trashiest (excuse me, I do not mean to offend anyone, but if it walks like a duck and sounds like a duck...) The bar reeked of cigarette smoke as did most of the people in it. Nothing out of the ordinary for a bar, but what I saw was something so ridiculous I couldn't help but feel embarrassed. A couple of friends and I witnessed a guy who had long hair, apparently it had been growing for about 17 years, get his hair cut right there in the hallway by the bar. I couldn't believe it, but it was the talk of the night. Everyone was watching and cheering, taking pictures. That was the point when I was ready to go. Who does that?

I know anyone reading this probably thinks that I am some kind of snob, but truthfully, I'm not. It's just that to me, it's sad that watching someone get his hair cut at a bar is considered entertainment. That was probably the highlight for most of their weeks. But, looking back on it, I suppose that's the small town mentality. I'm sure all of them have been friends for years, and it was kind of a big deal to them. I'll probably never fully understand it, but to each his own.

Sorry for the rant, it's just the image of this man sitting outside a bar getting his hair cut is so silly I can't get over it. Hey, at least it wasn't actually inside the bar.