I have an instinct to say yes anytime anyone asks me anything (except at the library at closing time).
Would you please cover this shift? Yes.
Can you help set up for this event? Sure.
Would you like a fifth slice of chocolate cake? Absolutely.
Could you possibly let these 15 people cut ahead of you in line? Of course.
Would you mind carrying this small bag of unmarked currency through customs for me? Why not?
My natural inclination is to be agreeable. Sometimes it should not be. Like today at church when I was accosted by the wife of this guy I vaguely know from our brief dating experience.
Wife: Hey, I know this is kind of weird, because I don't really know you at all, but I know [my husband] knows you some, and I wanted to ask you something.
MBC (in head): Please don't ask me something weird and ludicrous like whether or not I'm secretly carrying a torch for your husband.
MBC: Oh, sure.
Wife: There's this guy I want to set you up with. I mean, I don't know you but you seem really cute and I've known him my whole life and he's the nicest guy and really likes to have fun . . . So, would you be interested?
See, this is where the lying should have started. This is where I should have mentioned that my boyfriend Jack doesn't like it when I date other people.
MBC: Oh, well, I'm going to Europe in 12 days.
And I'm not coming back for four months.
And then I'm moving across the country.
Wife: So, would you be interested in doing something with him this week?
And THIS is where the saying NO should have started.
MBC: Um, I guess you could give him my contact information as long as he's okay with the fact that I'm leaving the country.
And then I was giving her my phone number and it was very deja vu from when her husband was asking for my phone number and the whole situation was weird but here's the main thing: I have NO time before I leave. My family's coming to visit this week, I have to store all my stuff across town at my friend's house, I have to figure out how to fit four months of clothing and supplies for a trip that includes both being vomited on by babies and attending Mozart's Requiem at St. Martin-in-the-Fields across two seasons into two carry-on size bags, and I have to play, play, play with marmots and teach Tuey his new special mantra: I will take care of Aunt in her old age even if she misses my 3rd birthday.
Really must learn to say no.
6 comments:
I missed something--where are you moving when you return? I will have to find someone to set you up with. Like Jason Steinmetz.
Hm. Well, he has to call you first, right? Maybe it won't happen?
Be open. You never know! :)
Eliana--Not funny! The plan is that I will move my stuff to Tennessee and stay with my parents temporarily while I chose my next move after my return.
Chou--Fingers crossed!
Alice--I don't have time to be open. I'll be open as soon as I hit British soil.
Party Poopers miss opportunities. In this case, it is not okay to be the Pooper! ;) Haha. Do what you think is best, you are the captain of your journey!
I would first make sure with this girl that the guy she wants to set you up with isn't going to pull the same stunt her husband did.
Honestly, it feels like she is doing a guilt set up. Couldn't her husband just apologize if they feel so bad about what happened that they feel the need to set you up with somebody?
Sorry, may be just me being more harsh and judgemental than is needed, but please.
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