Southern Hospitality

I got a little homesick last night. Ok. So maybe a lot.

I finally have a cell phone that works, but the service is still spotty on the ranch, but it’s great here at the house. The problem is, I’m not here at the house all that much.

Last night made the second time that I’ve been to supper with folks I don’t know. Now, I know I grew up in the south, and I’ve been to supper with lots of folks I didn’t know, and I’ve never been made to feel like such an outsider. I’m sure it’s an oversight, as everyone up here is very nice but to me, conversations involve everyone sitting at the table. Not a grand total of 5 folks, when there are nine of us there.

No one asked one question about me. The only thing I was asked was if I was staying busy. One could assume that they know I’m here to help Zach on the ranch, so they figure I’m more than qualified to be doing what I’m doing, and there’s no point in discussing it, which may very well be the case. That’s not to say though, that I don’t think it’s nice of folks to sit there and discuss family matters/issues/people/old stories (which are all fine) as that is how you learn about people. But for one moment put yourself in my shoes. I’m new here, I don’t know a soul other than Zach and his family, and I’ve met the folks sitting at the table twice previously and that was it.

So call me ego-centric or what have you, but I really want to be around some folks that care to get to know me or be in a position to talk to those that do already know me and love me. Zach said afterward I could have had a conversation with just him had I decided to do that. I felt like that would be rude. How do the rest of my southern girls feel about this? Am I being unreasonable? Am I being selfish and self-centered? Would it have been rude to pull him aside and have a discussion with him about this, that, and the other?