When I was in the fifth grade, the first of my illustrious three-year-long career as a Catholic school pupil, Sister Anita used to quiet a classroom talker of indeterminate identity with “Who has diarrhea of the mouth?” Then, if anyone reacted to this lovely expression in a way that she considered excessive, we’d all get in trouble. She was a witch that way.
Even so, I thought of her question on the way home, because evidently I had the adult version of that affliction today.
I visited with a coworker for a few minutes this morning. She told me what was going on in her life. Her older daughter is doing well in college, her younger daughter is flying right after a hiatus from same, things are going fine at work, and the like. To this, did I respond “glad to hear it” or “I’m pleased things are going well”? Of course not. I said “hang onto this vibe, because you know, you get your feelings hurt too easily.”
She laughed, and I think it really was okay, but I still wished I hadn’t said it. ‘Cause, you know, bluntness is what someone with that characteristic most appreciates. Taste that? It’s irony.
Then I had an almost impromptu lunch with Melanie, my colleague, friend, and confidante of 13 years. She was discussing the possibility of inserting my name into a conversation about an opportunity that may develop. Did I say “sure; thanks” or “I appreciate the confidence”? Nope. How about: “Nah, don’t do that. You suck at ‘subtle.’”
Um. Yeah.
That generated a chuckle and was fine too. We are members of each other’s inner circle, and one of the cornerstones of our relationship is lack of pretense. I’d have probably even conveyed to her the spirit of the comment. But sheesh, not like that.
God bless tomorrow.
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But you were, um, you know, RIGHT!!! That’s why I laughed. It’s true, but you like me anyway.
Remember those five questions you asked me? (the post is coming soon, by the way.) Remember when you asked if I laughed out loud when I was alone? Well, I’m alone, and I’m laughing, ’cause you suck at subtle!
Hey its not that big. Everyone has days like this.
Sometimes being blunt is nice, sometimes – not so nice.
This one time – I made a really good friend of mine cry. And it was one of those – cut loose and tell it like it is moments. It was about splitting a bill between 4 of us. And she figured someone still owed her a dollar. I’m not that petty – its just money and its jsut a dollar between friends. I did lots of things for all of them out of the kindness of my heart and never asked for one red cent. Not that I’m all high and mighty – I just like doing nice things for friends. I got so aggravated and pissed off that I pitched an utter fit and dug out a dollar with a reprimand. So she cried because I forced a dollar on her. She needed the reprimand – but I was the one who felt like crap afterwards. And then I had to apologize a billion times afterwards. sigh
People feel guilty about things they say to others?