Chewing Tobacco with Class
By Larry Oscar
In the course of many conversations the subject of someone having or lacking what we often call “class” is the subject of the day. Some people demonstrate class in everything they do while other poor lost souls just can’t get it together, and the rest of us sit back and marvel at how they just seem to stumble through life.
Class as defined by Webster’s new world dictionary is having high quality -Syn.elegance, refinement, distinction, panache. This definition seems to make it easier to understand. As you can see, it has nothing to do with having money. I know some people who are very wealthy and don’t exhibit any of the aforementioned traits while others with very little wealth have class in everything they do. Not having class is something you can’t blame on your parents or friends. It’s our own fault.
I recently witnessed some friends of mine demonstrate a high degree of class when they volunteered to be in a dunking tank to raise money for charity. Needless to say the water was very cold, but they sat in that tank while kids managed to plunge them into the water time and time again. They committed to helping out and regardless of their pain and suffering they lived up to their commitment. Now that is indeed serving with distinction. They definitely have class and having class earns them respect from the rest of us. I’m proud to know them.
You can dress up a pig in a suite and tie, and you know what….it’s still a pig. Now, I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. I’m all for pigs, but to illustrate my point, a change of cloths does not give you “class.” Class is something all of us need to work on. It’s not an inherited trait. Class will earn you respect and admiration. It will increase your quality of life and make you a better person. Class means you focus on the value of what you do and not on how cheap you can do it. Class means you take pride in what you do and who you are. People with class keep themselves and their surroundings clean and well maintained so others can take pride in knowing you.
Class means you focus on the positive things in life and allow others their opinions. People with class listen more than they talk. Class means you continue to educate yourself and you use your failures as educational experiences not to be repeated. Class means you don’t force your beliefs on others. People with class are honest to a fault. They don’t try to bring down others to elevate themselves or lie to make themselves look better. Classy people are not envious, but they are truly happy for others good fortune.
People with class almost never consider “what’s in for me”, but rather give of their time and efforts to make it better for the rest of us. Their reward is our smile. Most of all, people with class seem to always have fun and look at life with a smile themselves. They are just fun to be around and they gather a crowd wherever they go. Now some folks defy the definition.
For example: It’s hard to believe how some folks can chew tobacco and have class. But I have witnessed it. Those with class spit in a more refined and discrete manner, while those without class leave a disgusting spit cup lying around. Folks with class don’t eat, they dine. I saw a guy wolf down a burger last week in two bites. My dog doesn’t eat that fast. People sat there in awe as he stuffed handfuls of fries between his greasy cheeks. I guess we all could use some refinement.
Life would be much better if we slowed down and learned to enjoy it more. There is generally something good in everything. If we focus on the good and use the bad as an education in what not to do, we would all show a lot of class.
I’m going to try and get my wife to show some class this week by letting her wash my truck. I haven’t had much success in that effort over the years. I guess I married a woman that doesn’t have much class, or maybe it’s me. That’s it, I’m going to work on showing more class myself. After all, if people who listen to bluegrass music can show some class occasionally…….….. I guess anybody can!