I have been thinking forever of having a Salon in the shop. I’ve even named it in my mind: The Third Thursday Salon. I think it has a poetic turn to it, not to mention a reminder of when to tidy up and get the food out. I planned on having this intellectual group exchange pithy ideas (no politics please), philosophical thoughts, wisdom useful to us all. Maybe it was the tidying up part that kept me from this daydream.
Actually these same people don’t wait until that special Thursday to show up. But we don’t discuss smart things. We talk about how things are going with us. Like this really hot guy whose girlfriend drives him nuts. She’s either loving or mean. I tell him to dump her. He came in enraged one day: “That’s it! No more! I told her we’re through. I don’t need this abuse.” Good for him. Weeks later he had to tell me: “Don’t be surprised when you see Maggie at my birthday party. She told me she really loves me.” Yuch. Dumb men.
My lawyer/customer/visitor chats about everything except law. But he did discuss a case with me, and I felt very respected when he turned to me for help. He needed the identity of a local garage owner whose mechanic forgot to screw down the motor of his client’s car. Unfortunately the motor dropped out while she was driving. I read enough mystery novels to know how to solve a crime. I phoned City Hall and the Chamber of Commerce, but by golly, they did not know who owned that garage. This called for subtle maneuvering. I asked the service man at the station where I gas up. He didn’t know, but he asked another service manager and this chain continued until the hidden owner was revealed. The lawyer regarded me as another Miss Marple and I loved it. Then he came up with a new assignment. He asked me to find another elusive person. When I heard the name I said Fuggedaboudit. Even I recognized that name as Mafia.
Well, yes, I do have a guest who buys philosophy books and discusses them. Unexpectedly perhaps, he’s a major sports figure. He doesn’t hang out with members of the team: “All they want to do is talk about sports. I play the game. It’s not my life.” I like to listen to his philosophical ideas, but I got outraged and argumentative when he said there is no such thing as Love – it is all lust. I didn’t suggest that his recent divorce might have colored his judgment. I insisted there was Love. Every argument I offered, like what about parent to child, he had a substitute word for Love. When he got up to leave, I stretched up to hug and kiss him, our goodbye ritual. I said, “I am not accepting what you say. I love you.” He said, “I love you, too.” And we both laughed.
On reflection, it seems urgent to have these social visits to keep from being overtaken by texting. Let’s keep the pleasure, artfulness, joyfulness, intimacy of Conversation alive.
---Florence
Yes. A terrific idea. I think it's sad that a whole generation of texters won't be able to sit at a table and exchange ideas without reaching for their iPhones.
Ha ha ... funny ending to the sport's guy's exchange ... I love you. Yeah. I love you too.
I think you won that one.
Posted by: Ellen | May 01, 2012 at 11:18 AM
And that's the reason why people is so hooked on their telephones/laptops/ipads...one day the will wonder why are feeling lonely.
These days the world seems to be colder and disrespectful 'cause anything you want, you can get it just through the screen.
But the only thing that is not possible to get that way is the warm vibe of one room with people just talking face to face, looking to each others eyes (how beautiful is to look someone in the eye!) and not to the stupid screen of a telephone. Shame.
Enjoy your meetings! Maybe i can join you through... a screen! haha!! ;) I am kidding.
xo. oLIVIA.
Posted by: Olivia | May 03, 2012 at 12:05 PM
This is hands-down my favorite entry. Thanks to Sara for keeping me in the loop!
Gail
Sara's grad school friend)
Posted by: Gail Hulbert | May 04, 2012 at 09:20 AM
From Florence:
Gail, thanks for your enthusiasm. “Sara’s Grad school friend” is a great credential.
Posted by: Florence | May 06, 2012 at 06:17 PM
From Florence:
Olivia, if you did it last month, you can do it again – slide out of Barcelona and come visit me in
Chicago again, and soon!
Posted by: Florence | May 06, 2012 at 06:18 PM
On the other hand, if I was not addicted to my laptop as an alternative to actual conversation, I would never have read your fine piece.
Love, Steve
Posted by: steve shay | May 07, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Steve:
hm, you are right! But it's "vicious circle" then... i think *balance* in life is everything.
Can't wait to visit you again Florence! I am really looking forward to it!! And i am starved for some cookies ;)
Lots of LoVE. oLIVIA
Posted by: Olivia | May 07, 2012 at 10:50 AM
You should put up your own salon. That will be a great start for you.
Posted by: Megan Lindsay | October 17, 2012 at 11:05 AM
yes its hard to achieve love over lust..people today have transformed in terms of their views in relationships, but hey this is a great post! its good that he is dumped anyway
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