Saving the Planet One Coaster at a Time

This post title was inspired by our bartender at a local watering hole on Father’s Day. It came about when I told her I would just use the other side of the same coaster to write down my choices for my second flight – hey, it was Father’s Day, dads get to splurge – and she quipped that I was saving the planet one coaster at a time. After a good laugh, that got me thinking about the many little things we can do to conserve resources that take no effort at all, just a mindset shift. Then my mindset shifted away from the resources angle and to a follow-on to “On Social Discourse”. It was Shrek’s quote from the first movie, “Can’t we just settle this over a pint” that came to mind, and justified keeping the title – at least to me.

We are in crazy times in which all sides seem to have stopped thinking rationally, instead choosing a narrow-minded approach to everything. An approach that allows only their view to be acceptable. This is all too clear when many of those opposed to Covid vaccines and mask wearing use the phrase “my body my choice” to defend their position, but only believe that when it comes to their side of an issue. Yet many of those same people cry foul when those who support a woman’s right to chose use the same reasoning. The best (or worst) part about that is they fail to see the irony in it. Another example popped up on the news recently as one parent protested that his son’s school was going to require students to wear masks. He stated that this is America and we can’t be forced to do anything we don’t want to do. Then he went on to say he would forbid his son to wear a mask even though the boy thinks it’s cool because he’s like a ninja when he wears his mask.

Here’s an observation from the other far side. There are a lot of people calling for vaccine passports – for a vaccine that is not yet approved by the FDA. They justify, as a public health issue, requiring papers in order to move about freely. And a lot of these folks also espouse the “my body my choice” mantra – again, except when it comes to someone who does not agree with them on the issue. The irony escapes them as does the slippery slope that opens up for governing bodies to require such papers for anything deemed an emergency. This has been done around the world before and it has never ended well.

A friend on my softball team, over after-game pizza & beer (with coasters) at our sponsor’s pub - https://timkerwinstavern.com/, summed up the irony of the current attitude as “Don’t take away my freedom in the name of your freedom” or “My freedom is more important than your freedom” (thanks G). Both speak to the idea that one group is above the rest – remember Animal Farm and the pigs that were “more equal” than the other animals. Once again, sadly, this is lost on those who think that way. And things didn’t turn out so great for those pigs at the end of the book/movie.

OK, back to the coaster theme as I am safely seated on a bar stool. One thing missing for the most part in the Covid nightmare has been the ability to sit down with friends – or better yet meet strangers at the bar – and have real conversations. There’s nothing better than a good conversation conducted over a few pints - or insert your preferred drink - and this is where the coaster connection comes in (I know you were wondering how the heck I was going to do that!). I was reminded of this on a recent visit to my local brewery - https://www.ashtonbrewing.com/ - when I participated in just such a conversation with new friends. It was refreshing to be able to cover a wide variety of topics on which we had differing views in a civil manner over a couple of pints of good beer.

Historically, this has been the way deals are made, relationships are started, and knowledge has been passed along. It’s impossible to underestimate the importance of interacting with others and how much fun it can be to engage in relaxed, friendly banter with strangers. And true conversation is about listening without judgement, sharing views and opinions, and being immersed in the experience. Ah, the good old days when that was the norm!

Whether you prefer the local pub, brewery, winery, ice cream stand or burger joint, grab some friends and enjoy each other’s company along with some good – maybe even spirited but non-confrontational – conversation over drinks, cones, or burgers and fries. And remember to use your coaster.

For those of you interested in a little trivia:

Why are coasters so called?

The word coaster comes from the phrase “bottle-coaster,” which are round wheeled trays that were originally used to hold decanters. These trays “coasted” around the perimeter of a table to each guest during dinner, serving them their drink.