They Sent a Communist
Thursday August 2, 2007 | 4 comments
Part of setting up a new house is installing a new security system. It’s not that we are paranoid or that we own expensive equipment and antiques, it’s just that our insurance company gives a big discount on a home owner’s insurance if you have a security system installed with a certain security company. And, since I am all about bargains and absolutely love a good deal, I thought, why not?
That was before I met my security system installer this morning. At this point I can tell you exactly why not, but they already have my credit card number, so it’s too late to back out. Besides, I don’t think there is anything wrong with him as a professional, it’s just that his world views rubbed me the wrong way. A really wrong way.
Because I have such a different name, it always gives me away. Right off the bat, people know I am “ethnic,” whatever that means. This was the case with my lovely installer as well. Right away he started asking if I was Ukrainian. I politely told him I was Russian, born and raised in Estonia.
“Estonia used to be Russia?” was his next question.
“Well, not exactly, just part of the Soviet Union.”
“Soviet Union?”
“Yes.”
He looked at me for a second and then walked away, mumbling under his breath the words that rubbed me the wrong way and sent chills down my spine. In fact, I imagine being punched in the stomach might feel the same way, when all your insides get twisted, turned, and jolted into painful convulsions. Six words, “All communists will go to heaven.”
Don’t get me wrong. I am sure there will be plenty of communists in heaven. Repented communists. I have no problem with communists as individuals, misguided as they are. I do have a problem with communism as a regime. It started out as this blissful utopia and ended up ruthlessly and mercilessly wiping millions of people off the face of the earth.
And for someone who had never lived under communism to say it’s the best thing ever, well, I find that just plain rude. I even told him so, “Sorry buddy, but I don’t see how you are qualified to make a judgment on the effectiveness of communism since you never lived under this particular regime.” Now I am wondering if our security system is screwed because of my big, opinionated mouth.
And he didn’t stop at communism, either. He also warned me that the world is going to come to a very abrupt end shortly all because of…get ready…CAPITALISM. And then, just as I was beginning to recover from his bizarre statements he asked if there were still a lot of Jews living in Eastern Europe, which, in and of itself is a harmless question, except when the mouth that utters it belongs to a self-professed communist.
If I were this guy’s therapist, I would deem him unstable and suggest that he check in for observation. Although, maybe he is just socially awkward? The kind of socially awkward that comes across as mentally unstable. And if so, I am wondering what he is doing installing home security systems. I think I am actually feeling more paranoid now that we have one installed by a communist-loving, Jew-hating, Capitalism-will-cause-the-end-of-the-world-proclaiming man.
{ Speak Your Mind }
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Tell me this didn’t REALLY happen to you???? Where do these people come from?!!! Just shows how ignorant people can be.
Hey, on another note I write for an online magazine now called www.blindigo.com if you want to check it out. It’s ALL entertainment articles and I know how much you like entertainment just like me!!!
Wow! Some people. I would call the security company and say “I think something isn’t right with my system can you send someone out to look at it?” Then ask that it be someone different than the guy who installed it. I would feel a little uncomfortable with that too! Bummer.
Laura: I have been thinking about calling them up, but I am still debating whether or not I should. It’s like this guy wanted to make small talk, but really wasn’t socially adept. I am still trying to kind of get over that whole incident. Oh, and as far as dogs go—good advice and word of wisdom. We still might get a puppy, but only if one of us staying home on a somewhat full-time basis. Right now it’s just too much.
Ugh…that is all I have to say about that!