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From the Other Side of the Edge….
“My very un-PC,
Company Christmas Party”
By Joe Facinoli
Just had my first company CHRISTMAS party (for Unified Cleaning &
Construction Services, ...first one ever, after 5 years! ), on Sat.
12-19-15, and there was not a single complaint about the season, the
reason for the season, nor anything else!
Wonder why?
Had it at "La Chiquita", an El Salvadoran restaurant in Langley Park,
MD (near DC, where I was likely the only Gringo for 3 miles in any
direction!), and we all had a great time !!
I paid for 90 dinners (70 adults, 20 kids), and every single one of
them wished me a "Merry Christmas" many times during the evening, and
especially when they left, ..most of them teary eyed, bless 'em,
...from the emotion of the night, and of the Holiday.
And, not so insignificantly, because they were so overtly grateful to
someone (espec some Gringo!) who actually gives a damn about
them.
Oh, did I mention, ...that there were exactly three non-Hispanics in
attendance (me, my office mgr, and his wife), which had exactly
everything to do, with the mood of the evening !
No feelings of entitlement, nor of resentment, that I might somehow
make more money than them (enough, anyway, to somehow pay for that
shinidig!), nor bitterness as to their plight, their position in
society, their history, nor their life's heavy load, that so many
others (read: Americans!) feel that someone else should lighten,
or pay for, ...etc, etc.
No religious backlash, nor animosity, …no arrogant nor condescending
sentiments of the “my God is the only one, …and better than yours
anyway” variety, that we are forced to deal with, …daily, it seems, …in
today’s world.
No, there was only gratitude, ...from them to me, ...and most
definitely, the other way too. And there was this
"feeling" in the air, ...not only palpable, but clearly different, from
way too much of what we have to hear, and feel, today (and it was
wonderful !).
And there was diversity there too, …in its own way, …but it mattered
little, to any of us.
I know there were at least a couple of gay guys there (probably 4 or 5,
by my count, and I'm sure one or two lesbians, as well), as well as
some fat people, and folks far too skinny.
And there were short people (lots of short people), at least one tall
guy (the host), vegans, vegetarians, and
non-drinkers.
But we served Fajitas, and shrimp, and some kind of greasy (but
delicious) potatoes, and rice and beans, and sugary citrus coolers, and
a big piece of pumpkin cheese cake, and two adult drinks of choice, to
everyone who showed up.
And I’m still waiting for that first complaint, …from
anyone.
And of course, lots of different looking men and women were there, …big
ones, small ones, handsome ones, sexy ones, (and some, not so much),
…and probably a few of each, from all of the above categories, who
desperately wanted to be from one of the others.
But no problems whatsoever were created, nor started, over any of these
preferences, failings, or choices. Only
acceptance.
There were no Muslims (that I know of), and no Jewish guests either
(not so many Jews, nor Muslims, in Central America), …although they
were all certainly welcome, and would have been included (as long as
they “behaved”).
(I felt no threat, in any event, knowing that many in my gang were most
likely packin’, and are all very loyal to me. Security, and
tolerance, …comes in many forms, and has many faces.)
But nobody made a big deal about any of that, nor any of the other
political crap. Only happiness, …for the time they
were having, and for the season they were celebrating.
And for both the splendid company which they were keeping that night,
and for the company (and owner) who had given them employment for the
past year (and at a rate much higher than most could get anywhere else,
for this menial, tedious, and very hard and tiring work, ...that
Americans won't do, oh by the way).
Appreciation is a marvelous thing, and goes such a long way,
...especially when it's both ways.
Just to keep the record straight, I have two Jewish lawyers, and a
Jewish CPA, a Jewish banker, and a Jewish financial adviser, ...all of
whom were invited, but who all politely declined (could have had
something to do with the area the restaurant was in, ...but I didn't
ask).
Sooo, ...after that amazing last Saturday night, I was almost able to
gather some actual "Christmas Spirit", …in this old and cynical,
hardened and skeptical, non-trusting, black heart of mine.
And it was indeed, ...an amazing feeling! One I hadn't had
since I was maybe 12, ...but that's another story.
That feeling lasted all the way home (an hour's ride), and into the
next morning, ...until I turned on the news, that is, and then my
Sunday morning political fix (Jimmy Mathis, political talk show host,
on WBAL radio).
Those blasted me right back to "reality", and took care of that
wonderful feeling, ...post haste.
So, I've decided to start ignoring all the B.S. in our world today, and
go dark against almost everything in it, except for what's right in
front of me, and that matters most, and the people who really care
(some of you, included), for all the right reasons.
As long as it doesn't involve the crazy politics of today, ...not
anymore. At least not until “The Donald” is
rightfully elected, ...then I'll be back !!
Americans, and ALL organized religions, everywhere, need to start bein'
real, ...and stop hatin'.
Every one of us has their holy places, and their special, sacred
times. But these privileges are forfeited, when you
try to take (or deny), …those of someone else.
Hope you all had a Merry One, …and that your New Year will be good as
well (somehow).
HO, HO, HO, ...and a very un-PC, ...but a very MERRY CHRISTMAS (a
few days late), to everyone!!!
Or, as I most often prefer these days (based on trying to keep that
amazing, and wonderful "feeling" alive): FELIZ
NAVIDAD!!!
Joe Facinoli
P.S. Please share …it might just help a few to see the light, or
at least to get a small bit of that "feeling" back (or give somewhere
to look for it, once again).
And take good care of things, in my "absence" !
--Joe can be reached at: joefacinoli@gmail.com
Intelligent Response Encouraged !!
© Copyright 2015, Joe Facinoli
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