rant, rant, and meme
Jul. 22nd, 2008 06:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lauraanne_gilmanSome days, I find myself wondering if I'm really expecting too much of the human race.
Rant the First:
So there I was, sitting in Starbucks, letting them pay for the a/c in exchange for my buying lunch. Apparently lots of other people had a similar plan, because it was moderately packed. So much so in fact that every table was doubling up, until the only 'single-occupant' tables were mine, and an older gentleman at the table opposite me.
An older (60+) woman came by and started to sit down at my table. I looked up, somewhat surprised -- the tables were small, and I had a manuscript, a laptop, a drink and my sandwich covering every inch, while the other singleton table was clear. She must have seen my surprise (and, I admit it, my faint annoyance), because she said, rather indignantly, "I couldn't sit with a strange man."
Oh. Okay. I don't quite get that -- clearly a generational thing, and would it have killed her to ask me, before just sitting down? -- but I rearranged my stuff and she sat down. I went back to my manuscript -- and she promptly tried to engage me in conversation, despite the fact that I was obviously working. In fact, in response to her "what are you studying?" I said, rather bluntly, "I'm working on a project. For work. With a deadline."
"Oh. You work around here?"
*sighs*
Lady, you really need to learn the rules of the road. I was willing to give way before your generational bias (although I admit to being WTF? because it's a table for ten minutes, not overnight sleeping arrangements, but whatever), because to do otherwise would have been rude. However, the same niceties that keep you from sitting with a strange man as opposed to a strange woman really should also teach you a) asking if a seat is available is Just Good Manners, and b) that while casual chitchat is a good way to break the ice and pass time, it's not acceptable to force it on someone who clearly isn't interested. The fact that you persisted showed an amazing lack of respect, and made me less willing, next time, to give way in the face of YOUR personal needs.
Rant the Second:
Someone said "we need to get in touch with person who can help us with Important X." I said "I used to work with the person who is in charge of Important X at the company in question, and am willing to provide introductions, if you'd like."
Does Someone get in touch with me? Someone does not.
*is too tired to flail at the stupid stupidity*
Despite all that, I actually got a lot of work done today, so we'll end on a non-ranty meme:
Where is your cell phone?
Under a cat.
Your boyfriend/girlfriend husband/wife?
Out there, somewhere.
Your hair?
Braided, right now.
Where is your father?
Several miles downtown.
Cheesecake?
In small doses.
Your dream last night?
Weirder than usual.
Your favorite drink?
Depends on mood.
Your dream car?
Sleek and responsive.
The room you're in?
The office alcove.
George Bush?
Can go now.
Nipple rings?
I think not.
Who did you hang out with last night?
I was antisocial.
What you're not good at?
The list's long.
Your best friend?
Plural, not singular.
Student loans?
Long paid off.
Where did you grow up?
Suburban New Jersey.
The last thing you did?
Moved a cat.
What are you wearing?
Linen and cotton.
Tattoo on the lower back?
No ink anywhere.
Ketchup?
Only if spicy.
Your computer?
Up and running.
Your life?
Work in progress.
Your mood?
Content and cranky.
Missing?
Everyone's accounted for.
What are you thinking about right now?
Work to do.
Your car?
Upstate with![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
0eris0.
Your summer?
Busy and warm.
Your relationship status?
Complicated but good.
Your favorite color?
Burgundy and Forest.
When is the last time you laughed?
Yesterday, I think.
Last time you cried?
Last week -- exhaustion.
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow?
Done, doing, planning.
High school?
Do Not Miss.
Rant the First:
So there I was, sitting in Starbucks, letting them pay for the a/c in exchange for my buying lunch. Apparently lots of other people had a similar plan, because it was moderately packed. So much so in fact that every table was doubling up, until the only 'single-occupant' tables were mine, and an older gentleman at the table opposite me.
An older (60+) woman came by and started to sit down at my table. I looked up, somewhat surprised -- the tables were small, and I had a manuscript, a laptop, a drink and my sandwich covering every inch, while the other singleton table was clear. She must have seen my surprise (and, I admit it, my faint annoyance), because she said, rather indignantly, "I couldn't sit with a strange man."
Oh. Okay. I don't quite get that -- clearly a generational thing, and would it have killed her to ask me, before just sitting down? -- but I rearranged my stuff and she sat down. I went back to my manuscript -- and she promptly tried to engage me in conversation, despite the fact that I was obviously working. In fact, in response to her "what are you studying?" I said, rather bluntly, "I'm working on a project. For work. With a deadline."
"Oh. You work around here?"
*sighs*
Lady, you really need to learn the rules of the road. I was willing to give way before your generational bias (although I admit to being WTF? because it's a table for ten minutes, not overnight sleeping arrangements, but whatever), because to do otherwise would have been rude. However, the same niceties that keep you from sitting with a strange man as opposed to a strange woman really should also teach you a) asking if a seat is available is Just Good Manners, and b) that while casual chitchat is a good way to break the ice and pass time, it's not acceptable to force it on someone who clearly isn't interested. The fact that you persisted showed an amazing lack of respect, and made me less willing, next time, to give way in the face of YOUR personal needs.
Rant the Second:
Someone said "we need to get in touch with person who can help us with Important X." I said "I used to work with the person who is in charge of Important X at the company in question, and am willing to provide introductions, if you'd like."
Does Someone get in touch with me? Someone does not.
*is too tired to flail at the stupid stupidity*
Despite all that, I actually got a lot of work done today, so we'll end on a non-ranty meme:
Where is your cell phone?
Under a cat.
Your boyfriend/girlfriend husband/wife?
Out there, somewhere.
Your hair?
Braided, right now.
Where is your father?
Several miles downtown.
Cheesecake?
In small doses.
Your dream last night?
Weirder than usual.
Your favorite drink?
Depends on mood.
Your dream car?
Sleek and responsive.
The room you're in?
The office alcove.
George Bush?
Can go now.
Nipple rings?
I think not.
Who did you hang out with last night?
I was antisocial.
What you're not good at?
The list's long.
Your best friend?
Plural, not singular.
Student loans?
Long paid off.
Where did you grow up?
Suburban New Jersey.
The last thing you did?
Moved a cat.
What are you wearing?
Linen and cotton.
Tattoo on the lower back?
No ink anywhere.
Ketchup?
Only if spicy.
Your computer?
Up and running.
Your life?
Work in progress.
Your mood?
Content and cranky.
Missing?
Everyone's accounted for.
What are you thinking about right now?
Work to do.
Your car?
Upstate with
0eris0.Your summer?
Busy and warm.
Your relationship status?
Complicated but good.
Your favorite color?
Burgundy and Forest.
When is the last time you laughed?
Yesterday, I think.
Last time you cried?
Last week -- exhaustion.
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow?
Done, doing, planning.
High school?
Do Not Miss.
