Fans of the internationally popular and inspirational adventures of Honey Boo Boo and her all-American family are heartbroken by reports of the unseemly relationship recently undertaken by Mama June, the disillusion of her relationship with cuddly Sugar Bear and the oldest daughter’s public baring of indecent acts allegedly committed on her when a child by Mama’s new boyfriend. The supermarket tabloid publishers are in a frenzy of delight over the early Christmas present.
For the rest of us, however, the shock is almost too much to bear. June’s four children by four different men are indisputable evidence of her allure and seductiveness, but we find it hard to accept this ex-con from the past who is fawning over her. Worse, she has reciprocated by dismissing Sugar Bear whose many fans find him adorable. It is hoped by all that with some teeth he’ll soon find a new amour. He may also end up with custody of Honey Boo Boo due to Mama June’s display of bad judgment.
The sad consequence of it all is that the fate and happiness of the whole family has been compromised; undoubtedly the girls’ college plans have been put on hold (I was envisioning graduate school). Shame and ridicule have befallen one of the reigning royal families of American television.
Now comes more devastating news; although fully completed, the entire fourth season has been cancelled (Oh God, make the horror stop!). We can only pray it will be included in the full boxed set. To the admirers of the heavy and the big-boned, the sexual magnetism of charming, fun-loving June is clear, but they must wonder what this guy’s got, compared to Sugar Bear, to keep her in this state of happy, irrational bliss.
It’s nice to be nice
For years I’ve followed a rabbi’s advice, “It’s nice to be nice, so be nice” and have been quick to compliment and be congenial (at times through gritting teeth). The results have been generally positive with a memorable exception being when I remarked on the attractiveness of a female co-worker’s ensemble and she accused me of unprofessional sexism (a compliment to her was so rare an occurrence; one could understand the aroused suspicion). It was pointed out to her (by others) I said similar things to the males in the office and the matter was grudgingly dropped (bitch!).
Of late I’ve noticed when I or other seniors offer appreciative pleasantries, the reciprocal results are more hesitant. The young think we are trying to pick them up and the seniors wonder what we want. Nevertheless, I have continued remarking positively on a person’s appearance (when possible) and giving a cheery greeting.
As I persevere, my neighbors old and young, before so wary or suspicious, now return my salutations and even smile. Give it a try. Find something nice to say about that old grouch in your building or at work; if no such quality is evident, a simple “Good morning” will do. They may be surprised at first, but you’ll both feel great when they (finally) return your smile or say, “Thank you.”
Of course such feedback is not guaranteed; some disappointments are inevitable. For example, yesterday, downtown, I saw one guy say, “Nice hat” to another and he received a blinding smile. So I did the same thing to a hunky lawyer type, but my reward was a withering scowl. True, I rephrased slightly, but “Your hat’s fabulous,” means the same thing, doesn’t it?
