Remember that I wanted this blog to be interactive? I was hoping that all the "PLU'S" would share their stories about life in Utah. I know you are out there and I know you are reading. I run into people every day and hear their stories, so I'm just wondering – why no sharing ? What can I do to encourage you to write? I am not very good at begging, but half the fun is in knowing "People Like Us" are out there and we are not alone in this crazy life. Maybe Dirty Harry had it right. Let's see how his tactics work for encouragement. So….I dare you – "Go Ahead….Make My Day!!!!"
11 comments:
Hi. My wife and I are ex-mormon and live in utah. While not exactly people like you, we can appreciate a lot of what it's like. Although quite old, you may enjoy a story of ours: http://www.mormoned.com/contrib/choir.html Keep up the good work, it's good to get the outsiders view :)
Thanks Bob! Your story was funny, but not surprising. As a jewish girl who actually likes Christmas carols I find it crazy that people cannot get beyond the fact that it is OK to have different ideas and it makes the world so much more fun and interesting. I hope you will keep reading and sharing your experiences!
I'm "one of them" & I found your blog to be so insightful & true! I love being a Mormon, I believe it, that's why I am what I am. I also believe that "we" get a little too wrapped up in ourselves sometimes & I apologize for the love/hate relationship instead of the LOVE relationship you should have with "us". I think it should be a requirement for all Utah Mormons to live outside Utah for a year (at least) to feel what being on the "outside" feels like. But unfortunately not all get the opportunity, nor think it's necessary. I appreciate your delightful, honest & kind insight on "us" and will continue to tune in! A good look in the mirror is good medicine! Thanks for taking the time to care enough. ms
Thanks siguenza fam! I am thrilled that you found my blog and can appreciate my dilemna. I hope you will pass it on as the point is for all of us to get a better understanding. Keep reading and please let me know what you think along the way!
Well it seems that Dirty Harry did have it right...I've been inspired to post a comment. I am a proud member of the PLU family and, like all of you, I have daily encounters with the predominant culture that remind me that I am simply not one of them; whether it is driving past a ward (one of which is on every other block so its kinda hard to avoid them) or becoming lost in the LDS lingo. I look forward to posting all of my crazy experiences and sharing them with people who can relate. Stay tuned!!! :)
So excited to have a fellow PLU! I'm looking forward to hearing more from you!
Hi there! I read your posting on the main page of your site and my jaw hit the floor. I kept saying, "I'm not the only one!!!" Yippeee!!
I have found that living in Utah for the past 3 years has made me a bit paranoid in that I kept wondering if I was the "only one" that felt like I didn't quite fit in here. Like yourself, I too had a wonderful first year here and felt like this was "home." Mind you, my husband and I moved here from wild and crazy Las Vegas! However, shortly after having our first child two years ago I started feeling completely different about Utahns (mainly Mormons). I would get the cold shoulder from neighbors who realized that we were not "one of them." The "slap in the face" moment for me was when a neighbor (and someone I thought was a friend) said, "We love you guys even though you drink." I was dumb-founded and had no idea how to respond. I've never been told such things before and I realized at that moment that we would always be considered "outsiders."
My husband and I even started "hiding" the fact that we were pretty left-thinking individuals. We would always order water whenever we would dine with our Mormon neighbors. It's pretty pathetic that we felt as though we were getting a bit "sucked in" to the lifestyle. I enjoy a glass of wine, a bottle of beer, and can't live without my morning coffee. I don't think any of those things has made us evil people. I just wish LDS weren't so brainwashed about these things.
However, in their defense, Mormons are some of the kindest and most thoughtful people, but I have learned that they make better neighbors than friends.
I, like one of your other bloggers, now have a like/severe dislike relationship with Utah and am starting to drop hints to the hubby about moving somewhere else. Sad....
Thank you for letting me blog (my first time!) and I will be checking back soon!
So happy you found my blog Amy. I feel your pain and hope sharing your frustrations with "People Like Us" will help. You are not alone - let's try to find laughter and comfort with each other!!!!
I appreciate hearing your perspective on being an outsider. I am an outsider as a Mormon in a state other than Utah, and I'd just like to mention that this kind of behavior is not at all unique to Mormons. As a child, I was often left out of activities and parties because of my beliefs. My friends told me more than once that I was going to hell. My neighbors where I live now don't invite us to their get-togethers because they think we will not want to attend if there is alcohol, though this is not the case at all. You might have Mormon acquaintances that keep their children away from yours because you do not believe what they do. My non Mormon acquaintances have kept their children away from mine because we believe what we do. I'm not at all trying to trivialize your experiences, I'm just saying that I know how you feel, and I am a Mormon. Discrimination can come from both sides. People everywhere need to be so much more understanding and accepting.
Believe me as a Jewish person I know that discrimination exists everywhere, not just in Utah. It is always wrong and difficult to understand. I just try and tell my experience here to help others find comfort and/or gain insight into life here in the Beehive State. Thanks for participating in the conversation.
I'm a non-LDS teacher in Utah. So I end up with some interesting situations. My class of fourth graders was reading a story about a southern family's reunion. One of the items the family was sharing was a baby's baptismal gown. So I had to explain that in different religious some people get baptised as babies, some at age 7 and some as adults. One of my darlings raised his hand to announce that some got baptised after they died. Only in Utah...
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