Last year at the end of January, we had a snow storm in the Atlanta area. The city was ill prepared and you can still hear the stories of people taking hours to get home and some of them had to ditch their cars and take refuge in stores and restaurants. The weather this winter in the USA has been a bit scary, lots of snow and ice. However, here in Georgia, we have been very lucky, some cold weather but then, it warms up and we enjoy the sun. Shhh....don't tell anyone, we will just keep this our little secret, okay? (The photos I am showing you here are from January of 2014!)
So, how are you doing? This past week has been a challenge for me at work. It has been very busy. You know the kind of woman who is patient and sweet and is always cool under pressure? Well, guess what, that would NOT be me!
This is an example for you of a few remarks this week from a co-worker...
"Are those gloves for warmth or you are wearing them for a joke" (I said nothing, what would you say to something so rude?) And by the way, my gloves are warm AND attractive, you know they are!
"Hel-LOOO Senorita!" When I said that I was a SENORA, he seemed annoyed because I knew the difference between the two Spanish words.
"How are we doing today? When I said that I was fine, he (very scoffingly, like he was talking to a child) said, "No, I don't mean YOU personally, I meant how was your work going? I made no reply to this. Dear reader, you must understand, I do listen to what people say, not what they mean to say.
These are just a few examples for you, I won't bore you with any of the others. This person is working here on a temporary basis and I wonder if anyone will come to me and say that he will be leaving and if I have any last words for him? Yes, I will say: Good riddance! (My English husband would have two other words for him!) I told you I am NOT a sweet natured woman! Now, you know my secret!
I suppose when I am met with the coldness of the world, I seek refuge in my blog. Thank you!
I am reminded of a poem by Robert Frost, an American poet but whose poetry was first published in England!
Fire and Ice
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
Warning to all rude people: BE NICE to me or you will end up on my blog! I mean it!
I can relate to what you're saying. I'm not calm or cool under pressure either. In fact, I let something bother me all day today even though it was pretty trivial. I can let some things go without any problem, but some times, it sticks and you just have to let it out. Gosh! I think I felt better just telling you this. Are you feeling better just "talking about it" on your post?
ReplyDeleteI'm wishing you an easier time next week.
Hey Kay, you know we are a lot alike! I really try not to let things get to me, and I hope I am getting better as I am getting older. I tell myself that anyway! I DID feel better after I wrote this post! Thanks for listening, my friend! Aloha!
DeleteThe phrase "You have to understand" sets me off like nothing else. I DO NOT have to understand anything. If you wish me to understand then explain it to me politely and I will decide whether or not I agree. Maybe your weather will stabilize soon.
ReplyDeleteI love the word "politely". How often do you hear it these days? Not very often, I think.
DeleteOur weather is sometimes cold and then it warms up, it was below freezing this morning, but it went up to 60 today. You have to wear one type of clothing in the early morning, and make sure you can peel off layers as the day goes by!
Mercy! I think this person got under your skin. Really! I would not have liked it either. I hope this disturbing person leaves your life quite soon!
ReplyDeleteI have led a rather sheltered life, though I hardly realized it at the time. But now I really don't need to deal with anyone I don't want to see and that's just fine with me! (But I think I would enjoy your company very much! )
I tried to laugh it off, to be honest with you. I looked around to see if I was on Candid Camera! Remember that show?!
DeleteIf I have to deal with impolite people, I tend to get away from them as soon as possible!
I have real difficulty handling rudeness and inconsiderate behaviour from people. I don't expect everybody to love me at first sight, just as I won't love them all to bits, but at least be civil with each other, and observe basic politeness. Especially at work - most people spend many more hours at work than at home, having to put up with their colleagues, customers etc. much longer than with their loved ones at home. Therefore, can't we all just try to get along?
ReplyDeleteThat rude person - yes, "good riddance" are fitting last words for him. But you know what - whenever someone is rude to me, I find myself turning into Sweetness herself. I can't help it, it is just my reaction, and probably wrong.
It's been cold here, a wet grey kind of cold, but no more snow except for some that fell on Tuesday but didn't stay.
Ha, you would make a nice Southern lady! We are taught to "kill 'em with kindness"! You are so right about the number of hours that we spend at work, it makes it so much better when you are with a nice bunch of people!
DeleteWe had a hard frost this morning but it warmed up to almost 60 degrees! Bright sun with a pure blue sky, lovely day!
Silly man. I think I'd probably ask him 'Is your rudeness natural or do you have to work at it?' A couple of years ago Jo had a T-shirt made for me - "Be careful or you'll end up on my blog". You should get one made, Kay.
ReplyDeleteHey John! (and Jo, great t-shirt maker!)
DeleteYou are so right, I need that shirt too! Folks better be careful, they have been warned!
That's a nice piece of writing. And I think I can imagine the words your husband might have used. And I think I would have reacted in much the same way as you did - possibly a little less tolerantly. But, was this person rude or simply gauche? I get fed up being asked, "Y' awlright?"- when what people are saying is, "How can I help you?".
ReplyDeleteThank you! My husband is a very polite man, really but he would have THOUGHT of saying that to him, if you see what I mean!
DeleteI think he was rude but hey, it takes all kinds to make the world go around. Sometimes, I just wish the weirdest ones would stay far away from me.
To be fair the hubby is English so he'll have two more words for that guy by adding "ye cunt" to whatever he was going to say. It's a much less taboo word here. Sorry to hear you're working with a bit of a wanker. I've worked with my fair share and there was one guy who eventually got so bad he was fired. He's the only guy I've ever seen fired and there's been so many I felt deserved it. As far as the weather goes we've had some snow this week. I've heard horror stories from my American friends though about the amount of snow they've had.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby is more likely to say the "w" word that you gave here, but not the "c" word, neither of those are words that I like to use!
DeletePeople have problems I know, but sometimes, I wonder how they always seem to bump into my life.
This winter has been really rough for many parts of the USA, but in Georgia, it's been mostly very nice.
Hilarious! Well, at least I thought so.
ReplyDeleteHA! I didn't tell you but I did look around to see if I might be on camera, if I could be on one of those reality shows, to see how I would react to this guy!
DeleteBleak cold winter days have a way of making everything and everyone a bit colder than we like for sure. I try hibernating for the most part and thanks to be retired I can now do that, but there were years that I worked and I can relate to what you are saying. Home was and still is my refuge.
ReplyDeleteI think that the bears have the right idea! Just hibernate all winter and come out in the Spring, sounds right to me!
DeleteRude people send me up the wall, I try not to respond in kind, knowing that I can't change their behavior but only my own.
ReplyDeleteRude people frequently show up on my blog, serves them right.
We had a beautiful week down here on the coast, up to the low 70's, but it's raining today.
It really isn't that difficult to be civil, so why work at insulting folks? I just don't get it.
DeleteWe are really lucky in Georgia, I think. We have the hot summer, but doggone it, the mild winters are worth it.
Once in a while I will tell people that I what I say should never mean anything except for what the words actually mean. I try to never take a hint, because I would probably get it wrong, and make everything worse, and drive myself crazy to boot.
ReplyDeleteI am a bit of a straight to the point kind of gal and that sometimes gets me in trouble! Also, I can't take "hints"! If you want to tell me something, then just tell me. Plain, down to earth...that is not trendy these days, I guess.
DeleteCertain people seem to feel better when they criticize others probably because they think everyone should think the same as them. I''ve had that in every job I've been in if it's more than ten folk working there.(There's always one in any large group.) I try not to let it bother me at work, though it's sometimes hard and you eventually have to stand up for yourself or those same types of negative people will walk all over you. Mainly it's blatant untruths, as I see them, that wind me up the most though.
ReplyDeleteIt's actually good to see a slightly less sunny side to you Kay:o) Keep practicing and you could even go on a full blown rant like I,m prone to do at times:o) That's very cathartic.
Oh Bob, I am laughing at this comment! You have no idea, I rant on an hourly basis! I try to keep on the sunny side, I truly do but my husband is the optimist. I try to keep positive people around me at all times, I need them.
DeleteYou are sweet and patient, and you just deal with these jokers they way they should be dealt with -- stony silence. People like that try our patience to the utmost, and we are only human!
ReplyDeleteSweet and patient, that sounds so nice, wish that were true! :-)
DeleteBest for me to keep my mouth shut, sometimes
Man, that is hard for me!
Knowing me, I probably would use those two words your husband would, Kay! He won't mind sharing, I'm sure! :)
ReplyDeleteI think some people go to a special course not only to learn how to be dumb, but how to piss others off! And some, unfortunately, pass with flying colours!
My husband is a really sweet polite guy, but some of the things that he WANTS to say to people, you can imagine, I am sure!
DeleteThey call it "pushing someone's buttons". Why would that give anyone pleasure, I just don't get it.
Kay, I bet you wanted to ask...are you really this rude or do you work at it. LOL. I have been glad when some people transferred from my dept.when I worked. I can honestly say, I have only had about 6 bad work episodes. Hope things get better. Aren't you glad your weather has improved?? I have started counting the days till spring. :):) Blessings, xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteHey Susie!
DeleteI don't ask for much at any job really...just leave me alone and don't be a jerk when you have to talk to me!
Take care!
A wise word turns away wrath.
ReplyDeleteOf course so does a slap in the kisser!
I can always think of the wise thing to say, but I think of it HOURS later!
DeleteAnd I don't want to slap them, I just want to run away from them!
Why do people say these things!!! It is totally beyond me! So sorry that you have had to put up with this. I think that your way of dealing with it by just ignoring them is best, you take the high road that way! I hope that next week will be better. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Amy! xx
DeleteOh my goodness, Kay, I love how you set him straight with the Senorita comment!!! You go, Senora!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Audrey!
DeleteWhen I told him that I was a SENORA, he said, "Well, I didn't want to INSULT you". What?????
Oh well, best to "let it go", like the overused song from Frozen!
So often my brother and I are on the same wavelength. I would have made the same comment (which I have to say is not original) 'Is your rudeness natural or do you have to work at it?' or something similar.
ReplyDeleteHey Graham!
DeleteI love that both brothers have left comments on this post! Now, I wish I had put a song from the Beatles on here, in your honor,...sorry, HONOUR!
Your blog post is super! I too have a problem with people. My last name is Starkey and at work they usually call me Starko...except when they change it too: Starcasm! Ha! Yep, I have a quick tongue when it comes to stupid and rude! You go girl! We're going to have that icky ice and snow tomorrow..enjoy your sunshine and send some up North!
ReplyDeleteThank you! You KNOW I love your last name!! I don't understand, people should be THRILLED with hearing your name, it is the same as Ringo! Surely people know that Richard Starkey is his real name, right? I love Ringo, so, that makes me love your name!
DeleteOh, I am glad we don't get snow and ice very often, I think it is tough, really tough to live with!
After readin this post, Kay, I thought of a comment attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt..."if you can't say anything nice about anyone, come sit next to me"
ReplyDelete