The Welcome Wagon has come...twice

[Not_Giving_Up]

When we first moved here, we got a postcard stating that this group had a welcome package for us. I called, and a little old lady came to our house and gave us a folder that had all sorts of info about the wonderful city we've moved to. She ran down a list asking us if we needed information on things like doctors, the mall, and churches. She asked us if we'd found a church yet. I told her that we don't go to church. Her response was "Well, what religion are you?" I had to bite my tongue to keep from asking her if there was a branch of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster in town, but I simply replied "we're not". "Well, if you change your mind, we have a lot of wonderful churches here." The rest of the time she was here, she seemed uncomfortable, as if we secular people had rained on her little parade.

This afternoon, another little old lady rings my doorbell. She knows my name, but I don't know how. She was from a different welcome organization. I must say, she had a lot more information (and coupons!) than the other lady did. She also asked me about churches, and i told her that we don't go to church. Her response was "You're not religious? OK, I'll just save some trees and take these brochures back with me." This lady didn't seem bothered, just went on with the rest of her presentation.

I wonder how many more welcome associations there are in this town, and how they got our information in the first place.

[idgiehkt]

1. scary.

At my last temp job I was asked what church I went to and without even thinking I said "I don't go to church." I was horrified that I had said it but my mouth worked faster than my head. I really hate this small town b.s. It shouldn't be an issue but it is sometimes.

[Not_Giving_Up]

4. I don't care if they know that I don't go to church

But, that should be the end of the discussion. The first woman was pushing, and it pissed me off.

We lived in a small town in South Carolina years ago. My boss was a deacon at the local mega-church (they broadcasted services live and everything!)...he was always trying to get me to go to his church. He asked me once what religion I was raised in. I didn't think...My reply was what I say to friends..."I was raised Southern Baptist Hypocrite"...He backed off a little after that.

[mad-mommy]

2. persistant bunch?....

i thought you were going to say they brought you brownies and helped you unpack.

[Not_Giving_Up]

5. I wish

Brownies would have been nice.

[mad-mommy]

8. hopefully...

they got the hint.

[Not_Giving_Up]

10. I can hope

We left for a while though, and when we came back there was a door hanger from some church on the door. The complex that we live in is usually pretty good about stopping them as soon as they see them...of course, management doesn't work weekends.

[qnr]

3. I've never been called/visited. I did receive a welcome packet from my

utility company recently... about ten months after I opened my account with them ... that was different.

[Not_Giving_Up]

6. I've gotten them in the mail before

I'm not used to the personal attention. Freaky, freaky people.

Be glad you got something from the utility company that wasn't a bill!

[qnr]

7. I agree, especially since we pay the bill for two apartments, and getting

a reimbursement is iffy (there is only one meter for both apartments).

[Not_Giving_Up]

9. Nice!

I'm just looking forward to a light bill that's not going to require organ removal to pay now that we're out of the Texas heat.

[qnr]

11. Hmm, I should clarify, we are paying the electric bill for someone else

each month :)

[WCGreen]

12. Companies and organizations pay to be included in the

Welcome Wagon....

Churches have always been a big part of that push...

I remember when I served on the board at the area UU church, we always paid to be included in the Welcome Wagon campaign....