awkward moments

Last weekend, a friend stopped by, someone I've known for almost twenty years, someone for whom I have a lot of respect and admiration. Our state rep of many years' standing is retiring and my friend is running for the newly opened position. I would be proud and happy to call her my rep, I'd be delighted to vote for her, EXCEPT that there's someone else whom I'll probably vote for, someone else I think is much more qualified and who would be even better at the job. And, in my opinion, this someone else has a much better chance of winning the election.

So after my friend and I had chatted for a few minutes and she asked "So, would you like a lawn sign?" I had to answer carefully and find some part of the truth. The truth is that in our neighborhood, we typically don't post lawn signs and it helps keep the peace. I happen to know that our neighbors across the street are at real variance with us on most items of public policy. We are on good terms. I'd like to keep it that way.

And even if I were voting for my friend, I'd be hard-pressed to put up a sign for her.

My friend kind of cocked her head at me and said that she'd noticed that in my town, we tend not to put up lawn signs and she'd wondered why. Such a relief.

Am I a chicken or just barely managing to keep the peace? And does it matter?