Holy Crap. With a capital C-R-A-P. I was going to write this deep and meaningful post about an epiphany I had last night:
"Everybody has emotional baggage. Question is, are you going to let yours weigh you down?"
It’s weird where these epiphanies come from and how sometimes they’re not even related to a conversation you’re in when they come to you. However, my mind has been boggled today by things at w-o-r-k, and so my epiphany is going to have to take a back seat.
I live in the armpit of the south. Or, as some people call it, the Bible Belt. Whatever. I live in a very strange place where the rudest insults can be slung about another person so long as it is followed by or preceded by "bless his/her/its/their heart(s)." There are proper ways to do things and then there are the way other people do things. I thought I had a handle on this for the most part, right?
WRONG.
I just found out that some people are put off by the way I ask things to get done because I don’t say please all the time or use a sugary sweet tone of voice, and I’m pretty sure I don’t have the proper Southernese lingo down to sound like I’m asking a huge favor and I’ll forever be in their debt so as they will feel important and needed in a warm-fuzzy-all-over feeling.
I say things like, "Can you do this?" or "Will you do this?" or "Do you have time to help me with this?" Sometimes I remember to say please, but it’s not every time. Now, I don’t think I’m barking orders, but apparently it comes across like that (at least to one person in particular).
Let me just stop here and ask you something. WHAT THE FUCK?
I generally think I’m a nice person and I certainly am not a bully about asking for help. In fact, I rarely ever ask for help, so if I do, I REALLY need help.
Still, I live in the S-O-U-T-H. I’ve been here for 10 years and I still haven’t figured out the proper way to do things around here. Well, you know what? I think it’s about damn time I get the hell outta Dodge. That’s what I think.
Sissies.
I get the same reaction when I’m straight forward about my opinions. I’ve had guys tell me that I’m intimidating because I don’t pussyfoot around the issue.
In our Texas plant, the production people call me “Sir” because I am a manager. It freaks me out.
Move to the SF Bay Area. We don’t do that crap here, and you would totally fit in.
next time you should say…..”hey, is there any way that you could possibly find the time to help me out? You are wonderful and I could REALLY use your help. Thank you so much for all your help, you have no idea what it means to me, bitch. Oh, I’m sorry, did I say that out loud? Dear me! Bless your heart, you sure CAN be a bitch. ”
oh wait…I may have deviated somewhere…..
Believe me, as someone who grew up in LA and is now living in Virginia I understand. On the other hand the people here have helped me perfect that “I’m totally insulting you, but because I’m doing it with a smile on my face you’re too dumb to notice” thing.
By the way, your kitten is the cutest thing….like ever.
yes, yes, kimosabe…it is time you moved on. Have you ever thought about NC?