This is a story I am not sure I should tell. I have such mixed emotions about it. But it happened and is true and is probably a sense of our country right now and it happened to me this week.
We have a vacation home in Western North Carolina. Along with its beauty and respite comes responsibility and burden. (Burden is probably too heavy a word, but I liked the symmetry of the words.) Background information: Our place is basically in the woods: lots of trees and underbrush and mountain laurel and wild rhododendrons. Not a lot of grass or flower beds or garden but enough that we need someone to care for it especially when we aren’t here. The gardener stopped coming – no formal “quitting” – just doesn’t show up anymore and phone calls do not change the outcome.
We need a new landscape company. This is the story of the search. The Landscaper who came was on time and on the right day and I was immediately impressed. More came after I opened the door to go out and talk with him when he greeted me with “Baruch HaShem” (Blessed be God’s Name) in Hebrew. I figured it was the mezuzah on the doorpost. I said: “You’re kidding me.” To which he responded, “Shalom and ‘Elohim’”. I let that sit and started to talk about bushes and weeds. He asked me if I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I then figured it out and said: “Absolutely not! And we should probably agree to continue with how often does the grass need cutting.” (He belongs to a Messianic Congregation.)
A week later he was back to present me with the details of his proposal. I asked him if he would please put on his mask since we were outside, but kind of getting too close together. He echoed my words from the week before: “Absolutely not. I don’t believe in them. I believe the virus is real, but the media is exaggerating how contagious it is.” I was stunned into silence. Finally, I said – “You need to give me a moment.” My mind went racing. Do I impose my beliefs on him? Is the fact that he has a different (false and dangerous) view of reality my issue? Can’t I just let him cut the ***** grass and call it a day? I don’t know how long it took me to say the words: “I’m sorry this is a deal breaker and we can’t work together.”
As he left, I noticed the two big Trump bumper stickers on his car. To this moment, I don’t know if I was right. I know the incident plays like a serial in my mind. I know that it is symptomatic of how polarized we are. I know that we need to make this better. I know as a country and community of Americans we need to begin the process of healing. Vote!
rabbiunplugged 
For me, the virus is way too dangerous to take chances. The virus does not care about your party affiliations, your wealth, your race, your religion or anything about you. It will kill you just the same. I have to draw the line at anything or anyone, I believe unnecessarily increases the risk that my family, my friends or myself will fall victim to the virus. For these reasons, I believe you did the right thing.
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Correct decision. This man passionately wanted to convert you rather than have you as a customer. Dangerous imbalance in my eyes.
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Absolutely correct decision! There are some people you just can’t talk to because their opinions are so firmly entrenched that nothing you say can change their minds.
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Wow! 2 big issues. Religion and politics in one post.
Still amazes me that anyone with strong religious convictions can favor Trump – the most immoral person, who believes in nothing but himself.
You did the right thing – don’t get involved.
Who recommended him?
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One of the many, many, many unconscionable things Trump has unleashed on this country is convincing a large swath of the population that wearing a mask is a socio-political issue and not a public health matter — thus costing thousands of lives. You did the right thing.
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Bravo, Bravo, Bravo !
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One of the basic precepts of our democracy is that everyone’s opinion should be heard and respected. Everyone’s values and sensitivities should be respected. The statement made by one of our early patriots was about like this:
“Though the values expressed by that person turns my stomach, I will fight for the right for that person to express them”.
He didn’t abide by this and wouldn’t have valued your sensitivities.
You did what I would have done!!
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WOW..thats a lot to take in…
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You were right. He doesn’t have the right to put your life in danger. What is sr ok NG with these people?
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Great story. I would have done the same.
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Wow, he was right in your face from the git-go! He sure didn’t want any new clients! Did you do the right thing? I would have done what you did. And Happy Birthday …
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You were right. I suspect that even if you had chosen the other path, the relationship wouldn’t have lasted very long.
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Unreal story. Kutzbah I think. Are you still up North? Having an endoscopy tomorrow. Hope you and Ilene are better?
Sent from my iPhone
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👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
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Good for you!
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Bottom line is that all religion and politics aside, this is probably someone who your would not like to give your hard earned money to on a regular basis.
On to the next, hopefully more reputable lawn care person.
Good luck
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Had a similar experience in an elevator and had to walk out of the elevator to protect myself. Such Foolishness! But it sadly speaks to how much we disrespect one another. 😌
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It’s too bad that feelings run so high it influences who cuts your grass but I would not let anyone touch my grass who touches a voting ballad with a Trump selection checked off
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Safety first. I hope that was the priority.
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putting religion and politics aside… the bottom line Is You don’t want anybody around you who doesn’t believe your life is as important as his own. he was telling you that by not wearing a mask.
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This is a difficult situation. On the one hand, if he seems like someone who will do a reliable job taking care of your lawn, that can be hard to come by (as you’ve experienced with your last gardener). On the other hand, his actions were not very professional. Whether he believes the virus is “real” or not, he should realize as a businessman that when in doubt, side with your customer on protocol! You should always want your customer to feel comfortable when working with you.
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WOW ! It’s a good thing that something like this never has happened in the Jewish faith. True believers, believe, until their weirdness and the error in their ways is pointed out by those in the know. In your lawn are plants that we deem weeds. I bet on the planet Xemu they are treasured for their strength and greenness.
Shalom
Larry
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You made the right call. It’s a pluralistic society, so he’s entitled to his views on religion and on the virus. But the fact that he won’t wear a mask to protect you from his giving you the virus is a dealbreaker because it creates too large a risk. People have to accept the consequences of their beliefs. In your case, one of the consequences was that you still have to find a lawn person. In his case, he lost business. It’s an illustrative story about how divided we are. Blessings, Tom
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Of course you were right. His beliefs about God are not the issue. His stance on not wearing a mask in your presence violates your right to remain healthy and even if he doesnt agree with that, it is a work person’s responsibility to honor the health views of customers.
Shame on him– and I think that Jesus would say– “Wear a …. mask.”
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