I was sure that I had blogged about this already but I've searched and searched. I can't find a record of it so I'll have to retell the story here.
Many months ago I was on a treadmill at the athletic club. 2 women climb on the the treadmills to my right and begin gossipping in very loud voices. It just so happened that these two women were talking about my high school friend and her parents. On and On these women went. Some of it was honest, some of it was true and a lot of it was slander. I got fed up, slammed the STOP button on the treadmill and promptly announced that it was my friend they were talking about and I found a new treadmill on the other side of the club.
Needless to say, they were caught off guard. I have no idea what they said or did after that but I bet they haven't forgotten it.
Well, today it happened again but this time I was the offender. I was sitting at a park with a friend discussing the kids' school. We critiqued the school, both good and bad, giving our honest impressions. Because we were so lost in our own conversation, we failed to notice that the wife of the school's director was sitting right behind us.
While nothing unforgivable was said, it still proved to be a very awkward situation. My friend and I are now racking our brains, trying to figure out what in the world we said and how the woman might have taken our honest commentary. Oh, it's just one of those things that gives you that icky pit in your stomach. Yuck!
"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." Proverbs 10:19. Someday I'll learn my lesson.
Awkward! If you guys were just being open and honest, not gossipping about certain people or anything, then she can't fault you for anything you said. Maybe it will even be a good thing, because she'll get to pass along some feedback the director may never even have heard. I know it still feels horrible, though.
ReplyDeleteI like that you busted the women on the treadmill at the gym. Once during college some friends and I were slamming this woman who headed up a trip we were on -- the trip was really disorganized and the woman was basically a lot like Peggy Hill. Anyway, as the words were flowing we realized the woman was standing just outside the doorway and had listened to all of it. Ugh. I still hate myself for that one, because I was being mean, not honest in any constructive way.
It's crazy how that stuff sticks with you...whether your being mean or just honest. (hopefully this conversation came off as honest but it was teetering for sure and who knows how she took it). The pit stays forever, I think.
ReplyDeleteI called someone the wrong name (3X, because she wasn't answering me, duh! It was the wrong person!!!) 9 years ago and I still can't forget it. Ick.
I am with Jen - I'm glad you called the women on their conversations on the treadmill. (And I still remember the story and exactly what you told me they said. :) I think it was good you spoke up. And a little kick in the pants of your own medicine is always acceptable once in a while, no big deal.
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bakes
I kind of wish the director's wife would have said something to us. I'm dying of curiosity. I wonder what she heard. She didn't have context for much of the conversation so I just don't know what she comprehended, if anything. I guess I'll never know. It's probably best.
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