Tip o' the hat returns
Several people have asked me about bringing back the Tip o’ the hat section over the last few weeks, so we’re bringing it back for a test run.
I first heard of the Tip o’ the hat section back when I moved here in December and thought it was a great idea, but figured it had died out due to lack of interest or was removed for a good reason.
It turns out I was wrong, the interest is there. But, this kind of section can get messy if there aren’t some rules to keep it clean.
If you’re unfamiliar with it, it’s pretty simple. If someone, or a group of people, in the community have done something philanthropic, generous, or just something impressive without expecting anything in return then send it to me at editor@bigforkeagle.com and I’ll put it in our Tip o’ the hat section the following week.
The area is filled with extremely generous people and groups and their work impacts a lot of people. This is your chance to thank them and to let everyone know how they made a difference.
I don’t think it matters too much if the person or group being acknowledged is unknown. For instance, if someone picked up some trash on the side of the road but you don’t know who and you just want to let them and the community know you appreciate it, then that would be a fine submission.
It’s often the case with volunteers to want to remain anonymous.
I’ve been mulling over how to make this section work so that it continues even after I leave. (Don’t worry, I’m not leaving any time soon. I just want to make sure this doesn’t die off again.)
So, here are the rules:
1. No commercials
2. No negativity
3. Submitters must be willing to have their name and town printed, and provide me with their contact information as well, just to verify they were the one who sent it in.
The first rule is because messages that sound like commercials wouldn’t be in the spirit of the section. If someone is being paid to do something, and they do it well, then they are just doing their job. Reward them with a bonus, or by telling their boss, or by suggesting them to others. This section is only for recognizing those who go the extra mile, do something nice, and don’t expect or receive anything in return.
We have a phrase in Iowa that inspired the second rule. It’s called “Iowa nice.” It’s a broadly defined term that changes depending on who you ask, but one of its few consistencies is that Iowans are so nice that even when being mean, it looks like being nice. It’s basically sarcasm and back-handed compliments.
A message such as “Matt Naber’s so nice, he took a really good photo of my children, I can’t believe he never has any dates” wouldn’t count for two reasons. First, because the act wasn’t philanthropic, and secondly it would be pretty rude to point out anyone’s lack of dates.
Instead, tell us why you were impressed and how what he/she/they did helped you, someone you know, or the community as a whole.
Honestly the third rule came about because I am a little nervous about revamping this section. It would be very easy for this to turn into a really big mess.
Because of this concern, I am requiring each submission to include your name, town, and best way to contact you. This will allow me to make sure you were the one who submitted to the Tip o’ the hat section, and when it prints the following week it means you can deal with the ramifications, whether they are good or bad, just like with the Letters to the Editor section.
Reactions can vary dramatically. While one person thought my previous column, “You might be from Bigfork if…” was the most offensive thing ever printed and that I needed to leave town, another person told me it was hilarious and that I would make a great president. I have no idea how or why these people felt so strongly about a humor piece.
So, to kick off the reboot of the Tip o’ the hat section, I’ll do a few of my own as examples:
• To whomever it was that picked up the garbage along the Swan River trail, I really appreciate it. I frequently run up and down that trail, often barefoot, and thanks to you I no longer have to worry about stepping in something nasty or potentially painful.
• To the multiple nonprofit organizations in the area, it never fails to impress me just how much you are all able to contribute to the community.
• A very big tip o’ the hat to the young lady at the park who confronted someone else’s kid who was throwing a fit and told him to knock it off and apologize for cussing out his mom.