This is one of those conversations that sticks with you, where you wonder-what did she mean by that? Where you just want to cover your self-image ears and say "I don't hear you." Where you wonder why she would phrase it like that - or am I just a bit, OK, a lot paranoid?
Conversation Setting:
Characters:
- Me, 34 years old, around 140lbs.
- Naomi, 30 something, I won't judge her weight.
Props:
- A "double-wide" stroller.
- One butt.
- A smattering of rain.
Setting:
It's raining outside, but Me didn't bring an umbrella because the rain started halfway to Me's destination. Me, parks her stroller on the lawn under a tree to avoid getting drenched, sits comfortably on the stroller, and waits for school to let out. Naomi, another parent, approaches around the tree and in front of Me.
Conversation:
Naomi: "Wow! I had no idea that a stroller like that could hold that much."
Me: "Uhhhhhh....yep."
Naomi: "No really...not that you would be too large for it...but, Wow! I had a double stroller like like that for my girls - but I could have never fit in. Wow."
Me: "Oh, you have a double stroller too?"
Naomi: "Yes, but the wheels weren't has big as your wheels. That must be why...oh (noticing there was a divider separating the two seats) mine didn't have that. My butt wouldn't fit...hmmm."
Me: "Oh there's Nini! See you later!"
So, I can see where she's coming from - a grown woman sitting in a stroller - but what's with the wows? She could have left those out. My butt may not be small, but it should never in cure a "wow" unless being admired, of course!
Am I alone in these "plug your ears to self-esteem" conversations?
Have you ever tried to sit in your child's stroller?!
distance goal: No running, walked 2 miles
Writing goal: Wrote 45 minutes straight!
Writing goal: Wrote 45 minutes straight!
13 comments:
Isn't that bizarre? I wonder what it is that makes people feel like they are entitled to say whatever they want and we have no right to be offended? Last time I flew on an airplane, I had my 2 boys in my double stroller, my daughter, and my husband was in the bathroom. I got so many rude comments about having to many kids and being too young and by the time he got back I started crying.
Your post is very cleverly written. I love reading your blog.
i can honestly tell you that the adult me has never sat in a stroller...
Hmmm. I see what you mean about wondering where she was coming from.
Some people...
Great job on the writing and the miles. YOu go on!! :)
okay I am totally cracking up.. amazing the nerve people have to say something like that! I know I couldn't fit into a stroller, but to go on about it to someone you don't know.. nice of you to not judge her weight.. I am sure she was just jelous!
I can't believe she sad that. How crazy !!!!!
Oh yes, i did have a little red i my hair, when i was younger.
I'm confused, Michelle. Where was the divider nestling?? Listen, that mum is probably posting on her own blog right now, saying, 'Why do I ALWAYS come out with stupid things to say when I want to start a conversation?!'
What about this - my mum donated a bag of my clothes to my younger cousin. As my aunt sifted through the donations, she pulled out a pair of trousers and said to me, 'These are lovely! Did you wear these when you were thin?'
*pfffffft*
Sound of my ego deflating rapidly.
I am sure she wasn't trying to be rude, but, as Professor Dumbledore once said, "accidental rudeness happens so often. Best not to say anything at all." Such a funny little story, since it didn't happen to me. ;-)
I love Amanda's story about her aunt too.
Why do people have to be soo rude!! Holy cow. What the heck is up with that?
I had one of those experiences last week. My neighbor told me that if her husband was gone as much as mine is she would be fat too! Thanks that is what I wanted to hear!
Very odd, huh?! (cute pix below!)
I loved the way you blogged that! Very cute. That was pretty funny. Who knows what people mean, but it certainly was rude, intentional or not.
I never want to hear a [wow] about my butt unless it is in admiration, either!
You told this event so well, that I to wondered why she was making such a big deal over it. May be she was jealous that her butt would not fit in the stroller! You handled it very well. And I agree the only wow I want to be hearing is that of someone admiring me.
It's always so interesting to me what comes out of peoples mouths..before thinking. I have sat in my double stroller plenty of times.
I too would wonder what "Wow" meant. Good or bad?
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