I'm generally a non-confrontational person. There are exceptions of course (you may remember this post), but I'd rather not have an ugly incident if it's avoidable. On the other hand, I'm no shrinking violet. I was thinking about this today because I saw a woman that I strongly dislike. I won't bore you with the details of why I dislike her, but I've got some good reasons.
We made eye contact for a moment and I thought she was going to say something to me. I think she dislikes me as I much as I dislike her, so I wasn't sure what she might say. I know the way she is, so it would likely have been an insult of sorts, disguised as a pleasantry (I know you know the type). My mind started racing immediately, I had to decide what I might say in return. Should I be polite, should I pretend I didn't hear her, or just let it fly and rip her a new one?
In the split second I was contemplating ripping her a new one, I measured that response against my mental yardstick of "what purpose will this serve?". I try to ask myself that question every time I am tempted to do something I might later regret. There are times when the only purpose would be the satisfaction of putting someone in their place, and I'm okay with that. Sometimes it's all you can do. Other times, I think I'm better off to keep my extensive knowledge of profanity to myself and be the bigger person. Today, though, it was really a tough decision.
As it turned out, she walked past me without saying a word. It's probably better that way because I'm still not sure what I would have said. I know what I'd like to say to her, and someday I just might. Now that would be an interesting post!
I'll be back later to open the bar. I hope you're thirsty, because we've got a great drink planned tonight!
We made eye contact for a moment and I thought she was going to say something to me. I think she dislikes me as I much as I dislike her, so I wasn't sure what she might say. I know the way she is, so it would likely have been an insult of sorts, disguised as a pleasantry (I know you know the type). My mind started racing immediately, I had to decide what I might say in return. Should I be polite, should I pretend I didn't hear her, or just let it fly and rip her a new one?
In the split second I was contemplating ripping her a new one, I measured that response against my mental yardstick of "what purpose will this serve?". I try to ask myself that question every time I am tempted to do something I might later regret. There are times when the only purpose would be the satisfaction of putting someone in their place, and I'm okay with that. Sometimes it's all you can do. Other times, I think I'm better off to keep my extensive knowledge of profanity to myself and be the bigger person. Today, though, it was really a tough decision.
As it turned out, she walked past me without saying a word. It's probably better that way because I'm still not sure what I would have said. I know what I'd like to say to her, and someday I just might. Now that would be an interesting post!
I'll be back later to open the bar. I hope you're thirsty, because we've got a great drink planned tonight!
Comments
You showed good restraint even though she didn't say anything to you.