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Every now and then I have a conversation with my landlord or his wife that reminds me that they are in the 1% and live in a TOTALLY different world than I. Take this one yesterday:
His wife and I were discussing the renovation of their basement, where the two college-age children have their bedrooms (and en-suite bathrooms). Their house is 4 storeys, a real money-pit, on the Historic Register. She said that she had had to take her laundry to her in-laws for a week or so, b/c of some issue with plumbing. I looked at her funny and asked why she just didn't use the washer and dryer in the basement in my building. She said that was mine and she couldn't. I laughed and said that in the future to use it if she wished. I know her son has used it to wash some of his hunting clothes. I know she won't. But this fits in with other behavior I've observed. There's a very clear demarcation between me and them. They are friendly enough but not what I would consider neighborly. When my oven was malfunctioning, a friend who owns (a very nice) B & B down at the end of the block let me use his kitchen. Not my landlord, who is literally the house right next door. (I'm part of his garage.) I'm good enough to look after his dog and watch his house when he's away. But that's as far I get. Don't get me wrong. I don't WANT to socialize with them. WE have nothing in common. They are Evangelical Trump-supporting Republicans. I keep wondering when my landlord will walk out of church one day, realize he's got a godless queer progressive activist living under his roof and decide I've got to go. So far money has been winning out. That, and he is old enough and educated enough to have a professed tolerance of difference.

BookDeath 8 May 19
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5 comments

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1

Yep...I barely make my rent most months, in the meantime, my landlord just build a garage for his gigantic RV. I hate the wealthy...they have used generations of poor to fund their lifestyle, ruined the planet and have no regrets.

1

I watched an interesting film last night, Fathers & Daughters. Might want to check it out.

2

I think I can understand why your landlord and his wife are acting the way they are. You have a landlord/tenant relationship, and they don’t want to blur the lines between the two. You know the expression “familiarity breeds contempt, ” well becoming overly friendly and using each other’s appliances would mean the relationship between you would alter subtly, and could lead to an over familiarity which could become a problem if you or they had an issue regarding the tenancy. This works both ways, and it’s probably best that they are observing the boundaries between you. It’s always much more difficult to deal with friends in contractual or commercial matters and they may have had experience of this in the past. If everything else is fine with the tenancy, and they are not hostile to you or your beliefs, I would just be happy for that and not anticipate problems that may never materialise.

4

Through online dating, I met two rich, elitist, Republican snobs who believe they are superior to other people.

"You're not in my socio-economic class," Jim sneered. No wonder he was divorced three times. He was mean. FLUSH. (I picture him swirling down the drain.)

Charlie, a medical doctor, was repeatedly reprimanded for insulting nurses at work. "I am better than nurses because I have far more years of education," he said.
I felt appalled. "You're such a snob," I replied, disgusted.

"Isn't this beautiful?" I asked excitedly when I took Charlie hiking at Ingalls Creek.

"I have seen more beautiful rivers," Charlie sniffed. "I've been to Austria." FLUSH.

Both men were shocked when I dumped them.

I haven’t met a Dr or R/N that wasn’t book smart, and I associate with many on a daily basis. At the end of the day, I’ll take a nurse over a doctor, hands down, no competition. (No offense to the doc’s out there). It’s just how it’s been for me.

@billhoo

I am dating a doctor who is kind and compassionate. Ten years younger than me, Bill has a plane and is a competitive bicyclist and weightlifter. What a body!

He is an extraordinary lover.

"Where do you want to go?" Bill asks. We fly over the Cascade Mountains where I love to hike. "I love your happy feet," he said. I love flying in small planes.

"I want to keep my muscles so I am attractive to you," he said.

@LiterateHiker The pictures are breathtaking. You guys make a very nice looking couple. He sounds like a keeper, and so do you. Hope this guy gives you his best!

@billhoo

Thank you. That's where I live in Washington State. Mt. Rainier (14,127 feet) is in the first photo. The second is North Cascades National Park. The last pic shows a small section of Lake Chelan.

At my request, Bill flew me to Stehekin (at the highest end of Lake Chelan) and over North Cascades National Park. It was snowing at 10,000 feet. With no place to land in an emergency, we turned around.

Returning, Bill flew just 200 feet above Lake Chelan, following the serpentine curves of the lake. I felt embraced by mountain ridges on both sides of the lake.

The lake was calm; no wind. From the air, I watched currents changing direction. A magical moment.

A rainbow followed us down the Columbia River as we flew back to Wenatchee where I live.

3

I’ve known the sort that I think you’re describing. I bet they seem a little “standoffish” at times.
Most likely they want to keep you at a distance, as they may need to put business first with you one day. They need to maintain the customer-client relationship. I’ve been guilty of appearing the same way with my subordinates at work. Their world view on LGBT or belief systems probably run a distant second place to money. I wouldn’t sweat it. You are representing the gay, and atheist communities. I see here, an opportunity for you to dispel any pre notions they may have.

I agree...they probably just don’t want to blur the lines, in what to them is a commercial relationship.

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