Tuesday, December 01, 2015

You can has social skillz?

Sometimes my social filters just disappear. Not often, but always at an inopportune time. And horribly. (Like remarking to a person with low vision the other day, "Put on your sunglasses! Otherwise the sun will blind you!" Yes, really.)

But a few times lately I've had the joy of hearing someone goof this way with me, and it made me feel so good to not be on the "oops" side of a social situation!

As with everything, I would not, could not make this up. To make you even more proud, I managed not to snicker until after situation #1 and situation #2.

Situation #1, over coffee with a volunteer.
Me: Referring to 20 years ago when I was in college and there weren't many mental health resources for students.
Volunteer: "You're that old?"
(Note: she is 70.)

Situation #2, at a work event with another volunteer.
Volunteer: "I really appreciate your help, and all that you do! AND you're bipolar!"
Me: "No, I'm not."
Volunteer: "Well, I know you're something. What are you?"
Me: "I have major depressive disorder."
Volunteer: "Well, that's even worse!"

Situation #3, on Thanksgiving with friends.
Me to friend A (who is a guy): "So how was that date with that girl Jennifer?"
Friend B to friend A: "Oh my God! I thought you were gay!"

We all laughed (including friend A) for five solid minutes. Meanwhile, friend A posted that exchange on his Facebook page, and one of his gay friends wrote back, "Boy, is her gaydar off!"

Just glad none of these were from me.

19 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

I am a social klutz. And would have laughed.
You did much, much better than I could have managed.

Lynn said...

I would have laughed, too! I'm always having to apologize for laughing.

Rock Chef said...

Hello! It's me! No, not Adele, Rock Chef, responding to the summons :-)

These are great, especially #2.

Seriously, though, I like it when stuff is out like this, no careful treading around trying not to say/do the wrong thing. There should be a "Brutal Honesty Day", don't you think? A day for walking up to people and saying "OK, are you gay or what?" or "For God's sake, go easy on the make up it makes you look 20 years older than you really are!"

Hope this makes up for being missing!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Yeah, those are all pretty cringe-worthy! And funny!

Charles Gramlich said...

Damn, I don't feel so bad about my snark today. :)

klahanie said...

And? And yes, here I am, Riot Kitty!

Ah yes, why be bipolar when you can major depressive disorder! When my human ran a group for folks with mental health concerns, at times, it was almost a contest that implied by mental health illness is worse than yours....

Never heard of Facebook but I have heard of Farcebook, or is it Farcebark?

Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses,

Penny xx

Abby said...

Okay, I laughed. Situation #2 got the out loud version.
Word to the wise, don't ask a non-pregnant lady when her baby's due.

HBF said...

Glad I'm not the only one! Facecouch looks useful, I think I've facepillowed a few times in my day already :)

Unknown said...

Well I do such stupid things very often and my close friends and co-workers at http://www.stilusessaywriting.com/ really got used. I often fell even if there were nothing to fall over to. Here I am the queen of bumping into something and somebody everyday.

Lee said...

Hahahahaha! You're not alone, RK!

Only a couple of days ago a friend and I were chatting on the phone and discussing similar moments in which we've found ourselves...caused by one's self letting free a few wayward words without prior thought...not thinking thought was necessary.

As I said to my friend...when making such blunders, and with my mind spinning madly on the inside - on the outside a calmness reigns as if nothing untoward has fallen out of my mouth.

Without a blink or a hiccup...I just tweak everything a little...and gently, without making a fuss and drawing attention to my foolishness...I steer my story slowly, surely and unnoticed into another direction!

I find no one notices any blunder (unintentional blunder)...if I pretend I've not noticed and don't make a big thing out of it! lol

Trick them into submission! :)

Granny Annie said...

I believe I am turning into you. Suddenly I am wanting to write down the unbelievable comments that I hear in the senior center and in the church. Neither would be a good place to slap the shit out of people.

Aimlesswriter said...

Glad to know I'm not alone in speaking without thinking. sometimes I end with, "Oops! Was I thinking out loud again?"

G. B. Miller said...

I can only do those kind of social faux pas with my immediate co-workers (total number is 7). Otherwise, I rack up the complaints from those who are less enlightened and 100% thin skinned.

A Beer for the Shower said...

These were great. And also a firm reminder of why I keep my mouth shut. I'm very prone to these, but not if I keep quiet. Think of it as abstinence of the mouth.

CraveCute said...

Oh that is too funny! I try but sometimes my social skills fail me also. I'm prone to awkward conversations, esp with new people! I try to be quiet as much as possible!

Claire said...

Oh my goodness, these are priceless. I taste my shoes way too often!

Betty Manousos said...

these were great!
and i would have laughed, too!

hope all is well.

have a great weekend~

big hugs!

LL Cool Joe said...

Oh my that first goof of yours made me cringe. Damn that's the thought of think I'd do too.

Situation 2 cracked me up. So how did you respond?

Riot Kitty said...

Joe: She kept right on talking, so I didn't have to ;)