Know a guy.
Been aware of this unwritten rule for a number of years. The people who ask me for help do not. They insult the tradition by trying to give me money…stunch refusal gets me strange looks but invites to weekend bbqs.
As a Japanese person, my first reaction was, “That sounds exhausting.” I’m genuinely curious, though. Is this something most Americans enjoy, or is it one of those social expectations that not everyone is actually comfortable with?
Definitely not something I’ve heard of. This is either very old school America (50-80s) or something done in very small towns where everyone knows one another.
That said, this is definiely something I know friends would do for each other. Truck or not. You have some boys over to help move some stuff around, you cook or grab food for them an pay the bill. But you gotta be pretty good friends for me to call you up like that (or vice versa).
Your comment resonates with me.
It’s one of those social expectations not everyone is comfortable with. I think it comes from a good place though. It’s essentially community sourced mutual aid. For lack of, you know, easy access to aid from society as a whole.
Someone just invented the concept of community
This sure did sound homely. And a life in a bygone era.
I live in the other part of America where you just hire someone.
When I talk about hiring someone, many people in other America nearly gasp.
I have a truck. I know at least two other people with trucks. Once the pizza is offered, and maybe some beers if it’s a big job, we’re there. It’s the truck code.
This is anarchy in the usa
This is the most American thing I have read in my life. I have lived for more than half a century, some of it in several different US states.
Seriously, if anyone asks what the US is like, show them this post. It’s perfect.
Oh shit. Oh no.
Im that guy who fixes small engines and computers.
I fucking love these.
My favorite is the Waffle House: https://wandering-nobunaga.com/stories/a-waffle-house-at-three-in
Can confirm. Until I threw my back in my forties, I was Tony.
I threw my back helping someone move an exercise machine. For someone else.
A pizza is the price. Two toppings is typical, or the everything special.
For a while I was also the guy with the cordless drill you could borrow.
Non-toxic Masculinity
Except women also have those connections.
The price may be different, like a baby blanket for their neice.
Two decades later, I still regret the temporary back injury a friend sustained helping me to load my heavy desk into a truck I rented.
I feel like this premise could make an entertaining movie if you figured out the 3 act structure
This is the best human interaction I’ve read about in a long time. Maybe ever.
I miss work for trade…
You just took care of a guy and when the time came, he took care of you.
“Today you… Tomorrow me…”
