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Go Head, Be Selfish

Numerous studies have shown that connectedness with others is critical to our health. Having contact and relationships with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and others—that is living in a state that is the opposite of isolation and loneliness—is the key to well-being.

That is why the travel shows and magazines feature the French, shopping daily at the butcher’s and baker’s. Buying fresh food for a wonderful dinner is one of the benefits of this pattern. The other and possibly more important benefit is the personal relationships and ongoing contact the French enjoy with their merchants.

Now this summer is not going to find me in France but I want to propose that, even if we don’t get any farther than Hammonasett, we can and should approach the merchants here in Branford as if we were in Normandy. I say this because, even in every big-box and nondescript chain store, there are people waiting to be discovered and celebrated.

My favorite is CVS Short Beach where Zoe (a recent Albertus graduate in communications) and “Sam” (Samantha, a criminal justice student) anchor the front. In the pharmacy, I share my concerns with Ann and a laugh with Rebecca. Today I was greeted in Big Y by a former CVS cashier (now a home healthcare worker) whose name I forget but who still endearingly greets me as “Buzz”.

Understand I am not suggesting you be respectful or kind out of altruism. It is good for your health. Do it for completely selfish reasons. Plus given the present tone of our nation, it wouldn’t hurt anything or anyone for you to help raise the bar here a bit.

Lloyd Buzzell

Branford