Stay Cool Everybody!

Over the last two weeks, a new salutation has become popular in my conversations with folks around the country and in Jefferson County.  We have begun ending our conversations with “Stay Cool” rather than the previously popular, “Take Care” or “See you soon”. 

As a child in the 70’s, I can remember hearing the phrase “Stay Cool” but at that time it meant something much different than today.  Today’s phrase is literal in meaning - not the slang expression of hipsters from yesteryear.  It reminds me of the 2004 blockbuster movie, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.  I
envision an updated version of Ron Burgundy’s (played by Will Ferrell) signature
sign-off phrase, “Stay Classy San Diego” ringing out from today’s local
television anchors, “Stay Cool, St. Louis.”

Alas, although the heat makes the campaign trail I travel uncomfortable, we all know it will not delay elections, so yes, I’m still out knocking doors in this three digit heat wave.  The phrase I hear most commonly from those behind those doors is, “I can’t believe you are out campaigning in this heat”.   To which, I answer with a smiling, sweating face, “Yep.  Please vote for me in August and November.”  Followed by, you guessed it, “Stay cool”.

One can only hope that this new traditional sign off sticks (and I don’t mean “sticks” like the shirt you wear after about 10 minutes outside these days).  Wouldn’t it be nice to continue to tell each other to “Stay Cool” even after this heat wave ends?  In a “cooler” future, we could use the salutation as an acknowledgement of the speaker’s admiration of the calm and composed demeanor of the hearer and as our sincere wish that they can maintain this favorable composure well into the future.

With that, I say, “Stay Cool, my friends” in both senses of the phrase.