There're gas stations surrounding our 'hood at the Reservoir along with numerous liquor stores, bars (one that even lets you throw axes after a few drinks), "discount" tobacco and CBD (whatever that is) stores. This area has truly "matured" into the "last stop before home", particularly over the past few years.
This region that we've lived in (multiple decades) is right on the edge of the oldest developed portion of the ginormous Ross Barnett Reservoir "resort area" (on the outskirts of Jackson). "Resort areas", by definition, have recently been given legal credence to many of the aforementioned retailers. In other words, they wouldn't be allowed within this area otherwise. And this recent "Resort area" legislation was, of course, spearheaded by legislators who now own (all or a portion of) many of the leasable properties ("strip centers") here within this particular region of "The Rez".
We even have one of those - very recently added - standalone bag-o-ice robo-dispensaries out in the parking lot of a 40+ year old strip center! Of which, a few bags are just perfectly suited to fill the cooler (that's full of booze) in order to keep it nicely chilled for the start of the weekend.
I mean, this area has become about as white trash Mississippi as you can get. As such, all that's really missing now is an Asian massage parlor. It's no doubt morphed into a microcosmic anti-Madison.
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I was just out and about (earlier today) gassing up our vehicles (in preparation for next week's forecasted natural disaster) at one of these gas stations here adjacent to our 'hood, and I realized that it was right at 5 PM on a Friday afternoon. I had to go into this particular station to retrieve my receipt (pump printer paper was either out or jammed), and whilst doing so, was instantly struck by the scene.
The scene which screamed 5 PM on a Friday afternoon.
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A former friend, who's no longer here in Jackson, and I were chatting many years ago about how his beer stash within their family's fridge would inevitably be tampered with whenever his son would have friends stay overnight for a sleepover. And he found this amusing.
I remember asking him (this dude is a pastor) why he "occasionally" drinks beer at all. And ultimately, he answered that question by admitting that it's simply too cool to not.
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When I worked for the State of Mississippi between 2006-2012, I befriended a fellow bureaucrat (who didn't work within my bureau but tangentially to it). And this dude warmed up to Rob very quickly (to the point that it was a little freaky). I remember doing my darndest to minister to him (at arms length) through our friendship (succinct chats at work, etc.), but that all seemed ridiculous to continue with once he admitted to his true love.
I can still see his face when he stated that he - without any exception - drank 8 to 9 beers a night (that he purchased on his way home from work). The grin was unmistakable. It was one rooted in (in)toxi(cated) masculinity.
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So what exactly was that scene that I just recently witnessed at our one of many Reservoir gas stations?
Men being men. Cool men, in particular.
And what does this mean exactly? I'll be honest with you. I'm not really sure. For I'm certain booze doesn't taste nearly as good as some other beverages.
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Earlier this week, I stopped into (arguably) the most well established haberdashery in Jackson in order to purchase a gift certificate. It had been over a decade since I'd darkened the door of this retailer, and immediately upon walking in, I was instantly transported to my teen years when my mother used to bring me there (there was - back in the '80s - a boy's clothing offshoot upstairs).
The smell of the store, the style of the furnishings, even the scale of the space, relayed masculine comfortableness. And it wasn't a comfortableness that encouraged lingering (for men DO NOT linger), but as you might expect, retail efficiency.
And this points back to where we live out here at the Reservoir, which arguably has become - over the past 10 years - a masculine retail encampment.
And a big part of this has to do with booze. Lots and lots and lots of booze.
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Booze is a massive revenue producing liquid. It takes time and energy to brew, and trends force breweries to stay one step ahead of the masses' taste buds / specific definitions of cool.
But it's not just the booze itself. For I'm convinced it's just as much the purchase of the booze and the ice and so forth that's part of this very significant masculine identifier.
When I was faced with the scene at the gas station, the line was at least three patrons deep - all men - holding their respective case(s) of booze. Each of them knew the Persian clerk behind the counter by his first name (& he knew theirs), for I could hear their banter during the transaction. One of the patrons also purchased some sort of fruit flavored cigarettes to go with his weekend booze. I know this because it took him awhile to decide on what flavor (there looked to be +/-50 on display).
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There aren't that many retail hotspots solely dedicated / designed for / paying homage to men. But I'm now convinced that we do sort of live in one of them. Who'd a thunk? Cheers!
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