Have you ever been in an uncomfortable situation? We all have right?
Well, I just had one. I can tell you that I still want to rinse my ears our with peroxide.
You may have had an experience like it. . . You are in public and the person sitting next to you makes conversation with you by pointing out flaws or making fun of other people. Seriously. That is their idea of small talk?! As soon as you lean into listen, thinking the person is going to begin with polite conversation, but instead unleashes their insecurities . . . the flush of shock and embarrassment that their insensitive words instantly bring to your face is hot with “why the hell are you telling me this?!”. If this person was saying these horrible things about perfect strangers, imagine what they would say about someone they know.
Maybe I should have said something or changed the subject – but realistically I no longer wanted any part of of what that person was trying to draw me into. There are many ways to deal with uncomfortable situations and by no means am I an expert. . . with this particular one – I abruptly got up and left. What made me leave was the fact that it sickened me to the point that I could not allow one more derogatory adjective pierce my ear.
My parents did not raise me to gossip or make fun of others. It’s just mean. If I have something to say to you I will say it – but ridiculing someone because of how they look, or dress or walk is not something I do for sport or take part in.
I had a very real physical response to this person. I had to remove myself from their vile tentacles of insecurity. Granted, I could have found a more diplomatic way to excuse myself . . . but I don’t regret walking away.
Josiah Gilbert Holland said it best: “Gossip is always a personal confession either of malice or imbecility, and the young should not only shun it, but by the most thorough culture relieve themselves from all temptation to indulge in it. It is a low, frivolous, and too often a dirty business. There are country neighborhoods in which it rages like a pest. Churches are split in pieces by it. Neighbors are made enemies by it for life. In many persons it degenerates into a chronic disease, which is practically incurable. Let the young cure it while they may.”
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How have you handled uncomfortable situations?
