the other night i did my laundry.  i hate doing the laundry.  i have to lug my piled up dirty clothing and unmentionables a few blocks away from my apartment to a place that is run by some sort of asian family who speak in a dialect that may be beautiful if it werent overwhelmed with all the screaming while the children of the neighborhood run wild, almost confusing the average person that this place may in fact be a day care center.  

while on this particular trip to the laundrymat, there a man perhaps in his late 30s, spanish, and he asked me in english if i would mind if he put some other show on the tv. i planned on reading my book and told him i would not mind but thanked him for asking.  

later, after i packed up my folded clothes, the same man said to me as i passed him “have a nice night, young lady” and i surprisingly yet cheerfully responded “night” and walked out.  what interests me still is just how casual and polite this was.  in this neighborhood i would’ve expected something more like “hey mommie, you look goooood” or some sort of gross kissy noise or whistle, as is the usual weak attempt by the men in this neighborhood to speak to a woman.  

what interests me further still is when i think of a more expensive neighborhood, i am almost certain i would’ve been given a snooty look, perhaps a judgement on my nonsensical fashion style or no exchange at all, each party being almost too respectful to even acknowledge the other.  

in a very strange way, this stranger’s tone was not strange at all.  it was nice and maybe even complementary in some way yet lacking the slightest whiff of creepiness.  the interaction felt very … human.  very … decent.  

as if the hundreds of people we interact with on a daily basis still carry a singularity to them and that singularity is capable of pleasant interaction.  it was very nice.  but, i suppose in a place where everyone’s underpants are tumbling about, they should be amicable.  ;)

(originally written 9 June 2009)