Before it was turned into a “pub,” Home Tavern occupied a spot just off the highway near our old home in Portland. The area had once housed furniture factories, and clearly this was a convenient stopping off place for men to drop in after work. I say men because I only ever saw men there before it turned into a “pub.”The tavern was between our house and the large riverfront park, so I walked by its open door frequently. The small place emitted an unforgettable smell of cigarette smoke and stale beer, an odor I can still bring to mind just writing about it.
I could hear laughing, swearing, yelling and general camaraderie as I passed by. I could only guess what they were talking about, but figured it was raw, opinionated, and generally full of bull. I appreciated that they had their place to vent and relax after work, but I never had to learn their views on women, politics or the world. I didn’t figure I was missing anything.
That entire atmosphere seems to have been recreated on line. Between Facebook posts, tweets, comments to the newspapers and comments on comments, I now feel as if I have walked unwittingly into the Home Tavern. Sadly there is no one around to slap one of the writers on the back laughing at his point of view. Comments that once would have led to “let’s take this out to the street,” are now casually thrown back and forth. Most lacking is humor and a general understanding that it is all bull anyway.
Next time you get caught up in rants on line, imagine them coming from a man on his third beer loudly entertaining his friends at the Home Tavern.
Saved By Words 
Thinking back, there was a time when I was in a pub, ful of beer, and spouting ‘bull’. But I don’t regret that, as it was a big part of my ‘growing up’.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Well said, Elizabeth!
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I agree, Jennie!
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I tend to avoid rants online. As soon as I get to a rant I close the tab.
I won’t risk my blood pressure.
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The best response Cathy. If only everyone would understand that we cannot unsay things!
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Agreed
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Quite right
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Online, they’re all drunk on outrage.
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Excellent way to put it Debbie.
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I’ve seen terrible things said in comments. On Blogger there is no way of blocking people. You have to set all comments to ‘moderated’, which some bloggers have had to do.
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Yikes. I like blocking people.
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That’s what I’ve done. I’ve explained my reasoning to the nice folks who regularly comment on my blog posts, and they’ve been supportive of my decision to moderate comments.
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Perhaps that worked better than the craziness of online today. People are tot bold when they can remain anonymous.!
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‘too bold’ š
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The things some people write on social media make me shake my head. I might think some of those thoughts, but I sure wouldn’t write them as if they were gospel.
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And at least your wife can laugh if you do say them!
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A good post, Elizabeth….
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Thanks.
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I agree! So much of what is (often anonymously posed) on-line would never be treated seriously by those who actually sat face to face with them!
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They count on no actual confrontations!
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