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  • From: Clansgian AT wmconnect.com
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] Not so fast
  • Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2010 20:12:33 EDT



> >We all figured he, ...., was a man of his word.
>

I could never emphasize enough how important this is when living long term
in a community. And yet it seems so unimportant to people now of days.
Some one I know (a sojourner, not from around here, although it makes no
difference except it makes me wonder how people conduct themselves where
she's
from) had several trees blow down during the winter storms. Her husband, in
her presence, told me the trees were mine for the taking.

A short while later I found she had traded the trees for some trifle. Her
culture is likely different. Giving something away is not giving your word
and being able to derive some benefit from it as opposed to none voids
anything that might have previously been said.

We just don't think like that around here. Even if it is much to one's
disadvantage, if you give your word, even casually, you stick by it.

I'm not out much from not having the wood, most of it firewood but one or
two good pieces of cherry that I could have planked. I don't mind not
getting it. But I will never view those people the same way again. I know
better
than to have any business dealings whatever with them because they will
view things one way and I another. Neither of us right or wrong, good or
bad,
but just don't operate on the same planet.

I bought a vehicle yesterday. It had been parked in a public place with
'for sale' in soap on the windows. That is, it's a private party sale. We
did the usually Appalachian reverse bartering but when we finally came to an
agreement and gave our word, it was like the most binding contact signed in
triplicate in blood for both of us.

There was a 24 hour delay in consumating the deal so he could slap his son
in law around and get the title. He found out said wastrel relative had
gotten a title loan on the van and so he immediately went and paid it and
relases the title. (And there is more colorful story here, as there is in
almost
all our transactions and interaction, but I digress...)

During that 24 hour period, had he been offered twice as much for the van,
he'd have sold it to me anyway simply because he said he would. And during
that time had I found a van for half as much money, I'd have bought his
anyway simply because I said I would.

Don't say you are going to do something until you are sure you can stick by
what you've said. And try to avoid traffic and transactions with anyone
who does not do likewise.</HTML>




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