Drop by anytime?

Do you ever just drop by someone’s house without calling or texting ahead of time? If you answered yes, you may live in a small town.

My entire life (the years before I moved to the East Coast), people would often stop by our house, unannounced. We lived on one of the main roads used to go from Ione to many of the larger cities, so we were on their way. In the days before the cell phone, it made sense.

When I moved east, I didn’t know anyone really, and it took about five years before I had established some strong friendships. Once I did, it didn’t really cross my mind that people in the city may not do the casual “drop by.”

I only made the mistake once.

I had an extra ticket for a fundraiser gala. I had been dating someone that I intended to bring but realized I couldn’t “fake it” with the guy until the event just so I would have a date. I was out one day and saw that a friend’s car was in his driveway. I decided to stop and invite him to join me and our other friends at the event. Admittedly I had a crush on him.

When he answered the door, I instantly realized that people don’t just “drop by” back east. He looked confused and a bit irritated. I was flustered and regretted even stopping. I don’t think I actually ended up inviting him, or if I did he said no.

In the two and a half months that I have been back in my little rural area, I have already experienced about five various “drop bys.”  Even in these days where nearly everyone has a cell phone, the casual “drop by” lives on. I am pleasantly surprised each time it happens. It makes me think of that day back in Connecticut, and I smile.