You know one thing that just grinds at my nerves? When people apologize excessively for no reason. Ok, fine, if you feel bad about getting my attention, apologize once and get it over with. I get it. You’re sorry. But if you keep telling me so, then I’ll give you something to be sorry about.
That sounded violent. But geez, can you just get to the point? You’re wasting my time.
Today my limits were tested in this regard. A girl was asking me a question, but before she actually got to it, which was a good two minutes after she approached me, she was apologizing.
“I’m so sorry to bother you. Is it ok if I ask you something? I’m really sorry about this. I just wanted to know something. But if you’re busy…” as she rambled on, I turned around, obviously not busy since I could afford enough time to make extended eye contact, which she attempted to avoid.
In my head, the words were pushing against my skull like a torrent. “IF YOU’RE SO SORRY FOR INTERRUPTING ME, GET TO THE FREAKING POINT SO YOU DON’T CONTINUE TO DO SO. OTHERWISE, I HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO THAN SIT AROUND AND LISTEN TO YOU BLATHER AND WHINE.”
But of course, this was not an appropriate response. I am a leader.
Then again, she was really starting to get on my nerves. One sharp remark couldn’t hurt…
No, no, can’t make her more upset. “Just ask your question.” I tell her, as nicely as I can.
I don’t remember what the question was, but that’s not important. I spared this stuttering girl further discomfort today at the expense of my own personal satisfaction.
…I’m noticing that a lot of my “do something nice for someone” posts center around me not saying what’s on my mind. I think this might say something about me. :/
That you’re an evil person and you revel in other peoples suffering? Or, that you’re smart enough to realize when people think enough of you to think you might actually have something better to do with your time than answer a quick question. My bet though, that they feel stupid about having to ask the question and thusly aren’t really apologizing to you for having to ask a question, but rather having to ask such a stupid one. Also, I do believe they’re apologizing to them selves and creating and odd sort of justification for asking by apologizing. “It’s okay that I didn’t know and that I asked such a stupid question because I apologized.”
Good point, and I would back down if this was a one time incident. But it wasn’t. It’s happened several times a day in the past week.
I’m sorry to post, and waste space and time, but I just have to say, if I ever do this too you, I’m sorry in advance. I just feel so sorry. SO sorry. Aughhg.