In a small Midwestern town there was a gas station attendant. One Saturday morning a gentleman stopped in to get gas on his way into town. 'I am just moving into town,' he asked, 'can you tell me about the people around here?'

The attendant asked, 'how were the people in the town you come from?'

'They were unpleasant and egotistical, hard to get along and not very friendly. In fact, it was not a pleasant town to live in!'

'Well, I am sorry to say you will find folk around here are sort of the same way.'

Just then another fellow drove in. He was also new in town and asked a similar question. Once again the attendant asked hi'm, 'how were the people where you come from?'

'They were friendly, warm, hospitable and kind. Every one greeted you with a smile. It was a pleasant place. I loved it there and was sorry to have to leave!'

'Well, you will find people around here are pretty much like that. We will enjoy having you here,' said the attendant.

As the second man drove away, the first one said, 'You just told him the exact opposite of what you told me! What gives?'

'Well,' said the attendant, 'it is my experience that folk generally respond to the way they are treated and that you usually find people behave the way you expect them to. Therefore, you will find that people here are quite like the people you expect them to be. It works for him, and it works for you.'

I hope you have the right expectation and attitude and that you meet friendly, warm and welcoming people.

'The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work instead of living on public assistance.'   Cicero, 55 BC