I have been my husband’s traveling sidekick since this past Tuesday.
For the last two days we have been in a small South Texas town that is currently experiencing an oil boom.
(there is a post brewing in my thinking on this topic, but that is for another day)
So, left to my own devices, while my husband and his colleagues took care of business obligations, I explored , sat in a window booth at a local restaurant multiple times, drove to another town 40 miles away to explore some more, and read James Lee Burke’s latest Dave Robicheaux novel titled The Glass Rainbow.
While sitting in my booth one day at lunch, as my friend JB would say,
I got into
“some more of my business”
which translates to
NONE of my business.
I couldn’t help myself.
It is that edifying compulsion.
Later, after I told my husband what I had done,he said I should have my own radio show, offering advice to all who call in,
called
Talking Across Texas.
Call in folks! You didn’t know you needed advice, but Laura’s in the house, and
SHE THINKS YOU DO!
This is what I did…
I noticed the attire of the three young waitresses in the restaurant as well as the predominantly male clientele.
I also noticed a little too much familiarity.
From my stake-out position, I observed this on multiple occasions.
I made my decision.
I may as well have changed clothes in a phone booth- from my cropped pants and Yellowbox jeweled flip flops to
my Superwoman alias stern faced English teacher voice of doom persona.
I motioned for the waitress assigned to my booth to come over-
Me: (smiling) Hi.
You’re doing a great job.
How old are you?
Her Answer: 22
Me: That’s wonderful- you have so much to look forward to- what are your plans?
Her Answer: Nothing right now.
Me: Well, you have your whole life ahead of you, and there are all sorts of ways to get an education, and you have choices.
Her Answer: Really?
Me: Yes of course- you can do it- but I am VERY worried about something and as the mother of 3 adult daughters I feel like I need to say this.
This restaurant is filled with men of all ages all day long and there is too much flirting going on. It can create false impressions.
You need to be careful.
Promise me you will be careful.
Tell the other girls too. Do your job, smile, and save your tips so when those choices come along you are ready.
Promise?
Answer: Yes m’am.
I ALMOST said something to the owner who was sitting at the cash register about looking out for these young women throughout the day,
but I didn’t.
***
Call 1-800-Talking Across Texas
with Laura…
My daughters are saying- right this minute-
“Welcome to my World!”
e r
26 comments:
You Rock!! Some young women need a mother to help point them in a safe direction. I truly believe God puts us in places we need to be and pushes us to speak words that need to be said.
I love the idea. And, I think you are the right woman for the job! You never know, one day this young lady MIGHT actually remember what you said to her on this day....and be thankful for it!
LOL-Bravo! Good job, Dr. Laura...the consultant is IN HOUSE! Now...let's just hope that she doesn't marry BillyBob Beckster and wind up with a flock of young'uns because the flirting turned to baby-making!
I had 2 young girls come in for an interview this week-this is NO joke-in a hospital setting. One of them had a low cut top on- so low that I could see LOTSA cleavage and she HAD LOTSA clevage accompanied by JEANS so tight that she could hardly sit down....yeah...she's not getting the job...so I am waiting to see what Applicant #2 looks like....Ohhhh...she is even better than Number ONE! She has on a MINI-SKIRT and a painted on SWEATER (it is August for Jolly Good's Sake) both piece of which leave nothing to the imagination. Yeah...guess what? SHE'S not getting the job either. Now here's the funny part...they both assumed the interviewer was a man-hahaha...jokes on them! Diana
Wow, those words need to be said to so many young girls these days. Where are their moms anyway. Just take a look at the Jr. and High school girls. You go girl. Good for you. Hugs, Marty
Good for you!!!!!! ((((hugs))))
Have a great weekend!
You and my mom would have gotten along just dandy! If only a little of what you told her stuck...hooray! You might have saved her a world of heartache on down the road. At least she knows someone cared.
That'll teach the hubby to leave you alone...even for just a little while!
Debbie
Oh Mama Laura, you preach it girl! Young women just don't get what men think about when they flirt with them. For girls it may just be about harmless ego boosting but men see ACTION! I pray she took you seriously. Can I have my youngest daughter call in...she doesn't seem to understand my English. Have a wonderful weekend, Patty
Good for you!I'm sure this young lady will remember what you said. I only hope it is not after making bad choices.
I think it is hard to turn the teacher in us off(as said by a retired teacher), so I don't even try.Mr. VS sometimes cringes when I start but if it needs to be said, Say it!
Oily's prayer: Dear God, please, grant us just one more oil boom. We promise not to mess it up this time. (Cleaned up for blog world.) Okay, here we go again. Same English teacher, second verse...My soapbox often involves smoking. I'll see some beautiful young woman, standing outside her workplace, smoking during her break. Me: "You're way too pretty to smoke." Pretty Young Thing: "Oh." Me: "It will make you look old long before your time, and furthermore, you don't have enough of your own sense of smell left to know how nasty you smell...all the time...whether you're currently smoking or not." PYT: "Oh." Me: "Promise me you'll stop smoking." PYT: "Yes m'am" I'm sure they think that I am a daffy old woman, but maybe...just maybe...they'll think about quitting sooner rather than later. Keep up the good work! I'd listen to your show. Cherry Kay
I think it's a great idea! Talk Across Texas - perfect title. Some young girls seem to have no clue, and what does it hurt for you to gently nudge them in the right direction? If half of what you said sinks in it might make a difference in her life. Did you enjoy The Glass Rainbow? I've not had a chance to read it yet, but it's on my list.
You are oh so right. They are not THINKING about the future or past the next fiftten minutes. Oh the stories I could tell from when I took care of pregnant girls in an offic I worked in as a RN. Well done Miss Laura! Have a lovely weekend♥olive
One person can make a huge difference if they just speak sometimes:) Sounds like you spoke and we'll pray she listened and shared it with the other waitresses!
Have a blessed day and I'll post that phone number on the web... hehe!
Sometimes the message has to come from a stranger. Good for you. I'll bet that waitress remembers you and your advice for the rest of her life! I heard the other "Dr. Laura" was leaving radio....you could be her more even tempered replacement! :)
I love the idea, Laura. Just please get on KURV before Col. Ray... or better yet, see if you can replace him!
Yes, I'm praying for another oil boom too!!!
GREAT posting... as usual. And as the mother of three (beautiful and successful) daughters and a retired teacher, you've seen a lot and the world needs your wisdom.
Now what's that number again???
Karen
Ladybug Creek
Good for you Miss Laura-
The world needs more people like you, you took your time to make a difference in someones life. That young lady was truly blessed.
Hugs sweet lady.
Nancy
I love this!
I am standing clapping a huge TEXAS clap and yelling YEA for you!!!! As a mother of five boys and one 19 year old daughter I just love this!!!
On the sad side I also know the story of what has happened just recently to a friend's daughter...yea for giving your advice....may more of us have the same courage!!!!!
Good job and you put is so nicely.
I wonder if some girls have no one in their life to tell them these things.
"Act like a lady," my mom always said.
Bravo! Great job. I have said and done similar things. I always thought of it as it being the mom in me that caused me to comment.
Have a great weekend!
~ Tracy
Good for you! I hope she listens to you.
That is excellent. The girls today really do need some guidance. Maybe you could start a tour! haha
xo
amanda
This is why I keep coming back to White Spray Paint. You are sheer delight. Love this story. Hope these girls take the advice to heart.
You go girl! Sometimes people just need to be reminded that they have choices even if those choices involve sacrifice and hard work. You're always such a delight to visit with!
Good for you!!!! Awesome job! Some times you have to do what your heart ( or the holy spirit ) calls you to do!!! I so hope these young ladies took your advice to heart!
LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!! We need to get into "some more of your business" every now and then...does the body good!
love you,
JB
good for you Laura...my hubby and I have a place where we go eat and hang out...and their are young waitress's there we have become familiar with...we tend to give them advice also...they seem to enjoy it...because they still talk to us...hopefully some of it will help them...stay in school...watch out for the slick talking me...don't drink and drive..don't text and drive...say NO to drugs...a parents job is never done...even if they aren't your kiddos you might make a good influence in their lives...
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