How not to . . .
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Barry was unfazed by it and said he was just being amusing. Maybe, but if
someone said something similar to me, I would be most annoyed.
After all,
you wouldn’t refer to someone’s size or skin, would you? Would you? Just
imagine, ‘I was talking to someone, a skinny gal/a fat guy/a bottle blonde wench/a
black man/a short fella/a spotty youth/ a beanpole like yourself.’
The job is being completed by reliable, efficient, courteous workmen as I type. It transpired that all the guttering needed to be replaced, which didn't really surprise us. It's good to get such jobs done.
I wouldn't have taken any notice, that's just the way I am. Good to hear all the guttering is being replaced. I was surprised recently to see a couple of men in my yard putting up a ladder, so I asked what rthey were doing and they said "cleaning the gutters" so I left them to it, but they didn't do much at all, I don't think they were legitimate workers at all, so I kept my doors locked. Usually when gutters get cleaned around here there is scaffolding and teams of men working together.
ReplyDeleteYou're a well-balanced person, I think.
DeleteOurs is just a single house so only ladders were required, otherwise we'd probably still be waiting!
How old was the guttering?
ReplyDeleteAbout 50 years, so it's done pretty well, really.
DeleteI would have preferred the tradesman didn't call me an old boy, which I probably am but it wouldn't bother me too much. I does sound a bit patronising.
ReplyDeleteWhen I wasn't such an old boy a few years ago I walked past a beggar in the street and without a reason I knew he called after me 'you f'ing old rich poofter c'. Oh I thought, I really don't appreciate being called old.
I love your sense of humour, Andrew. None of us like to be reminded of the passing of years, once past the age of about 25 . . .
DeleteHmm. I was once told by a young locum GP that I was well preserved for my age. I tried (hard) to take that as a compliment.
ReplyDeleteThere are ways and ways of being told you're looking good - being well-preserved makes you sound like a jar of jam!
DeleteThe lady in our local Hardware store always asks me (in quite a loud voice) if I have my "gold card" on me today. This is for pensioners in this country to get a small discount.
ReplyDeleteI always feel like I want to jump over the counter, grab her by the scruff of her neck & say DO I LOOK OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE A GOLD CARD?! (clearly I do!!). I am normally such a nice pleasant person but I can totally relate to how you felt when you overheard that. 😉
It sounds as though that 'lady' looks at you and is envious. Some people just put your back up without even trying!
DeleteWell....I've been very fortunate in my life,
ReplyDeletel'm not a physical or fighting person, never
been in a fight, never hit anyone, and no one
has ever hit me...HeHe! Being a 6ft 3in Sicilian,
(very unusual that) people tend to steer clear of
me, people are just so nice to me...Mind you...
One thing l always say jokingly, if someone needs
seeing to, l pick the phone up, and someone does it
for me...! Bless! :).
So...My sense of humour is with me 24/7...So, there
isn't a person in the world, that can ruffle my feathers...!
🍄 🍄 🍄 🍄 🍄 🍄 🍄 🍄🍄 🍄 🍄 🍄 🍄 🍄 🍄 🍄
PS..If you need a tall dud..to hold up the guttering, l'm yer
man.....! :O).
I love the implied threat - so many people think all Sicilians are involved with the Mafia.
DeleteNo one needs to be reminded you are getting older, I would feel the same, glad you had good workmanship done, it's always a worry when hiring someone to do work.
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit of a gamble, but this man came with excellent references. It's nice that it's done.
DeleteSome people just don't think, do they.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the work is being done though. xx
I think he probably was being cheerful and friendly and I took it wrongly.
DeleteIt's good that you found someone to do the work. But I'm like you and wonder where this person thought it was polite to talk to the customer like that.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm over-sensitive. I'm certainly far too aware of the passing of years, not helped by two of the daughters chiding us to 'be careful'. I know they care . . .
DeleteLet's imagine we could create a range of acceptable euphemisms for aging (before they too got turned into terms expressing prejudice rather than admiration) like 'well travelled' or 'complete service record', 'one careful (lady) owner', 'passed the publisher's edit'....suggestions on a postcard...
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid you'r right - any acceptable term would soon be (mis)appropriated. It''s the culture that needs to change and become more like the Chinese and Malaysians, and others, who respect the older members of society.
DeleteI suppose it's the patronizing tone that I dislike when I'm called "young lady" or the greeter in the supermarket calls out, "Hi, kids!" to us. My husband says he doesn't mind, and I know it's generally well meant, but I still don't like it.
ReplyDeleteI hate being called 'darling' by people I don't know, though in Liverpool it's common for everyone to be addressed as 'pet' and that I wouldn't mind, as it's applied no matter what the age.
DeleteI don't think men notice as much as women - maybe we're just touchier! (I know I am!) ;-)
It's true that my husband's feathers don't ruffle as easily as mine (and a good thing, too).
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good balance. ;-)
Delete;-
I would most definitely not be amused! xxx
ReplyDeleteI think I take offence where none is intended! (hangs head in shame) x x x
DeleteI don't think I would have taken any notice ...
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh when a little while ago buying a bottle of wine (in Tesco) I was asked for some identification to prove I was over 25years!
Apparently they "operate a strict age verification policy on some products, known as 'Think 25'. This means that if the cashier believes that you look under the age of 25 and you can’t provide an accepted form of identification, then we will refuse the sale."
I know the cashier was having a joke/laugh with me but have to say it made my day :)
All the best Jan
PS Pleased you got the guttering sorted.
I would have been a bit put out at first. I'm sure no offence was meant by it. With age comes wisdom!
ReplyDeleteI've had that experience too, and it made me smile. Some people know just how to pitch a comment.
ReplyDelete