18
THE OZARKER
THOSE who complain that the United States is becoming a country of conformists have obviously not lived in the Ozarks where individualism has not only survived, but continues in excellent health.
The Ozarker is typically independent, has a casual regard for time, is reserved in his contact with outsiders (yet most hospitable if the outsider is not too pushy), rather laconic, and retains some of the Old Testament philosophy regarding segregation of the sexes.
His independence is expressed by a disdain for wealth if it requires leaving his hills, streams, and kinfolk, and by his reluctance to accept charity.
The casual regard for time is exemplified by broken appointments or late arrivals when the urge for fishing or hunting is overpowering. This casualness is frustrating to the clock-calendar-oriented outsider who interprets an unexplained broken appointment as dishonest because he fails to recognize that such a commitment automatically carries a silent rider rendering the contract void if hunting, fishing, or visiting kinsfolk reverse priorities.
The disregard for the clock and calendar becomes a dislike when attempts are made to schedule a meeting for a firm time and date. Such attempts may be completely frustrating because no one is willing to make a future time commitment. This reluctance demonstrates a basic honesty-why make a promise when the probability of breaking it is great?
The Ozarker's independence is also demonstrated by his proclivity for parking side by side on a country road for a visit. When you encounter such a road block, don't honk, just relax and wait a spell. After all, it is impolite to interrupt a conversation!
Although the Ozarker is a shrewd and hard bargainer, he is inherently honest and a man's word often replaces the legal contract of outside areas. Such an honesty-trust relationship was demonstrated several years ago when, in the purchase of 50 fence rails, the author gave the railtor (new word) a check for the rails and explained that several trips would be required for haulage. The railtor did not check the count as it was being loaded, thus demonstrating his personal standards of honesty which he assumed were equaled by the buyer.
Doing geologic work in remote areas of the Ozarks has brought about a conviction that, although the Ozarker is wary of outsiders, if the outsider takes his time and avoids creating the impression of being preoccupied with worldly values, hospitality is assured. The only complaint is that field work has been slowed down by invitations to “set a while” or eat dinner with the family. This complaint is a token one, for memories of such visits far exceed the value of the few hours lost from work.
This field work did teach one lesson. In part it involved tracking down the location of recently drilled water wells. In more ignorant days the author would drive up to a house and brusquely ask directions for finding the John Buck home. Sometimes the reply would be “Don't know, hain't never heered of him” despite subsequent discovery that Mr. Buck lived only a quarter mile down the road.
Eventually a lesson was learned that they didn't teach in college: slow down, identify oneself, tell what was being done, and why it was necessary to find John Buck's place. This approach worked and resulted in full cooperation upon establishment of credentials. The attitude was a reflection of that preserved perhaps from ancestors in Scotland. Protect your clan or group from the outsider, but if the outsider's motives are acceptable, accept him.
Any work which required staying in a given area demonstrated the efficacy of the Hill Telegraph. After a stop at a house to request permission for access, it was found that credentials had traveled faster than the traveler; thus the introductory speech was redundant, In one case, the author was identified as “one of them rock psychologists.”
“where
individualism has not only survived, but continues to be in excellent health”
Deep thought at a country auction.
“I gave the railtor [new word] a check for the rails”
“proclivity for parking side by side in a country road for a visit.”