Ways of speaking

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One afternoon, us living in town then, I spotted a new neighbor so I called across to him: "Welcome to the neighborhood!" Answer? A mocking repeat of what I'd greeted him with then a laugh and a shoulder away. Sunday I visited the little town that we are moving to in a few years. I found a sweet walking trail and when we pulled into the parking lot, two men who were putting long fishing poles into their car's trunk. I decided to be bold. I asked them if there was a river near by? They said yes, about a mile's walk past a glorious old barn. Yum! I told the two men that I'd just bought a house here and was getting to know the town a little. Their answer? A friendly "Welcome to the town!" Such a difference. Two other times some one told me "Welcome!" No mocking. Big smiles and hellos. Sure made my day sunnier.