I’m trying to be more honest, but people are making it very hard to refrain from those little white lies. There really are only two things I can do now if I feel threatened to tell an untruth.
- Laugh out loud
- Politely walk away
Both of which will undoubtedly cause embarrassment to the other party I am currently engaged. But on the bright side, I won’t have compromised my integrity, right? I have found myself in this uncomfortable situation twice this week.
Tuesday I had the unexpected pleasure of being approached by an elderly gentlemen that I know as an acquaintance. Without warning, he confronted me about my haircut.
“What did you do?” he asked.
“When?” I answered perplexed.
“What did you do to your hair?” he asked more insistently.
“Oh! I got a haircut.”
“I can see that, but why?”
“Because I wanted something different,” I answered curtly.
“Well, I hope you like it,” he huffed, “because I think women should have long hair.”
I just smiled politely as he excused himself.
Yesterday, I ordered food at our grocery store’s prepared counter. It was a rushed evening of drop-off and pick-up, with minimal time for meal preparation in between. Rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes and coleslaw from the local market was a good solution. The woman helping me was very friendly and engaged in delightful conversation. Unfortunately, the longer she talked, the more she touched her glasses. And then her hair. And then, Oh-my-gawd, her nose. It seemed ridiculous that she even bothered to put those damn plastic gloves on if she was going to do everything from fix her hair to scratch her butt. I really am clueless as to what she was talking about at that moment because I just wanted her to quickly release my food from being held hostage.
“Is there anything else I can help you with?” she sweetly asked.
“Um, no,” I mumbled taking my plastic containers of contamination.
if only people could read my mind
In both situations, my brain was pummeled with inappropriate responses or little white lies to help alleviate the stress of the situation. However, I decided to take a more honest approach.
Laugh it off.
Walk away.
Even if I was only laughing on the inside.
Prompt #5 What made you laugh this week?
You are so much better than me. I have a habit of saying what I think!
I find that “Bless your heart” is an all purpose answer that works well.
Eewwwww…I don’t think I’d be visiting Typhoid Mary again. As for the old man’s comments, I think you’re response was perfect. You can’t change them, but you sure can change the way you react. No need to spread the snark, especially when it makes for better blog fodder later.
Stopping by from Mama Kat.
YIKES!
So true, though sometimes discretely changing the subject would also work.