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"She's good people." Remember a relative saying that about someone? Even if you'd never met the person, you'd know certain things, just hearing that.
Of course, what it meant probably depended a bit on the speaker. If you know the speaker's values, the speaker's shorthands, the speaker's language, you know some things about the subject. So. What does it mean when *I* say such a thing?
I just started to muse on this because I told a couple of people recently that they were "Good Folk, through and through." I realized after saying this that by some measures I don't know these people all that well. We aren't relatives; we haven't been friends for twenty years; we don't live anywhere near each other or see each other often. But I meant what I said. Why is that?
There are certain traits I like that are fairly apparent on superficial acquaintance. A willingness to make friends, or just to make conversation. A comfort within one's own skin. Taking joy from something in life, whether it's the company of friends or an intriguing puzzle or a really good Cabernet. Self-knowledge. An ability to listen. I like these traits and, all other things being equal, am more comfortable around people who display them than around people who do not.
There are also certain traits I dislike that are obvious in their absence, even in a short time of knowing someone. The tendency to blame others for one's problems. Saying things one does not mean. Being divisive or scornful or arrogant. Letting the reins of one's own life dangle in the dirt. All other things being equal, I'm less comfortable when I see these traits than I am when I don't.
I should note that my own report card, graded on these subjects, would be far from perfect. :-) Still, these are the little grains of sand that build up on one side of the scale until my brain clicks over and says "Y'know, I just *like* this person."
I'll probably think of more. Other people would probably paint an entirely different picture of what Good Folk would mean to them. For my grandma it would have to do with community and/or hospitality. For my mom there would be at least some element of spirituality. It's interesting for me to muse a bit on what it means to me.
I'm grateful for the Good Folk I know.
Of course, what it meant probably depended a bit on the speaker. If you know the speaker's values, the speaker's shorthands, the speaker's language, you know some things about the subject. So. What does it mean when *I* say such a thing?
I just started to muse on this because I told a couple of people recently that they were "Good Folk, through and through." I realized after saying this that by some measures I don't know these people all that well. We aren't relatives; we haven't been friends for twenty years; we don't live anywhere near each other or see each other often. But I meant what I said. Why is that?
There are certain traits I like that are fairly apparent on superficial acquaintance. A willingness to make friends, or just to make conversation. A comfort within one's own skin. Taking joy from something in life, whether it's the company of friends or an intriguing puzzle or a really good Cabernet. Self-knowledge. An ability to listen. I like these traits and, all other things being equal, am more comfortable around people who display them than around people who do not.
There are also certain traits I dislike that are obvious in their absence, even in a short time of knowing someone. The tendency to blame others for one's problems. Saying things one does not mean. Being divisive or scornful or arrogant. Letting the reins of one's own life dangle in the dirt. All other things being equal, I'm less comfortable when I see these traits than I am when I don't.
I should note that my own report card, graded on these subjects, would be far from perfect. :-) Still, these are the little grains of sand that build up on one side of the scale until my brain clicks over and says "Y'know, I just *like* this person."
I'll probably think of more. Other people would probably paint an entirely different picture of what Good Folk would mean to them. For my grandma it would have to do with community and/or hospitality. For my mom there would be at least some element of spirituality. It's interesting for me to muse a bit on what it means to me.
I'm grateful for the Good Folk I know.
