Saturday, March 12, 2011

It Had To Be Said

Have you ever made the mistake of saying something and realizing it’s the wrong thing just when it’s too late to stop, do you admit your mistake or just roll with the flow hoping to save face, I think the most of us do all we can to save face knowing full and well that it is not working.

One familiar scene that a lot of us have seen is the pregnant woman, or was she actually pregnant? Walking down the hall of the hospital I saw a man with his young son, the child pointed and said to his Dad, Look Dad that lady is going to have a baby, the Dad smiled and explained to his son that he was right and went on to explain pregnancy to him, then to add to the story he asked, When is your baby due, the reply was “My son was born yesterday” that’s him there, pointing into the nursery window.

Now how do you recover from this one, do you apologize and keep walking or do you explain to your son why she still looks pregnant? I don’t think there is an answer for this one, probably best to just keep walking.

Things my Dad says, this one I could write a whole book on as I have seen him slip out with a few comments that just couldn’t be taken back in time, like the time he argued with a clerk at the grocery store for charging him tax on his purchase, this was in Texas and the clerk explained that no tax was charged on food items, and since he was buying beer it was a taxable item, rather than thanking her for explaining he went on to argue that beer could be considered food, I think I got there and moved him along just before security arrived, yes he paid tax on his purchase and since he tried to cover his actions by offering to take her out to dinner, I had to start buying my groceries at another store.

At a convenience store in South Carolina he and I went in to get a cup of coffee, I picked up a few things and paid for our stuff, Dad went to the counter and was told that his coffee was paid for, he smiled and said Thank You Sir, the clerk told him I am not a sir please don’t call me that, Dad sat his coffee down and asked the clerk to repeat what was said and then went on to explain that he was raised to say Yes Sir, No Sir, Yes Mam and No Mam and that he would not apologize for doing so.

The clerk said “This is all well and good but I am not a sir” Dad started getting a little agitated so I apologized to the clerk and said Sorry Mam, you have a good day and I’ll see you tomorrow, she smiled and as we went out the door Dad looked at me and said “I can’t believe you called him Mam” I told him I can’t believe you called her Sir, he said that he was in the store every day and knew these people so he knew it was a man, I told him I am a visitor here and my first time in the store I noticed her name tag said Brenda.

He had to go back in just to check, and the sad thing is I think he still called her sir.

Sometimes you just have to pay attention to the little things, noticing a name tag and calling a person by their name shows you care, holding a door for someone, thanking them for explaining or just choosing not to argue a point when you are clearly wrong will help you look better than trying to get a date with someone that is charging you tax on beer, looking into the nursery window and asking “Which one is yours” rather than “When are you due” when a woman is in a hospital gown dragging an IV with her, because this could be a sign that she is not pregnant anymore, and sometimes the biggest thing you can do to keep the peace is to place your hand over my Dad’s mouth when you are out in public with him, Lord knows I try.

Sorry Dad but it had to be said.

15 comments:

  1. Bahahahahah
    (gasp) OH MAN Jimmy!
    This post tops them all for laughter on my side of the computer screen!
    And what makes it so funny...is that I've BEEN there and done that. Well...not ALL those things, but yes- said things where I've had to actually pull my foot from my mouth and humbly (while cringing)walk away.
    Hilariously all so very true.
    Some things do have to be said....just as some should not;))

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  2. So funny!!! Poor HOB was referring to some boy at a party we were at as "she." I had to pull him to the side and set him straight.

    Keep your eye on dad and your hand ready!

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  3. Every once in a while, I will put my foot in my mouth and often times, not truly understand the degree of my mistake until an hour or so later. So embarrassing!

    I just read that book last week, 'Sh*t My Dad Says' and it was funny. I've never watched the television show.

    Being a Yankee, I can't stand to be called 'Ma'am.' It makes me feel like saying, "I'm not your Ma'am or your Mom!"

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  4. "I told him I can’t believe you called her Sir, he said that he was in the store every day and knew these people so he knew it was a man.I told him I am a visitor here and my first time in the store I noticed her name tag said Brenda"

    Bwhahahahahaahahahahahaha! OMG, Jimmy...that's HYSTERICAL!!!!

    You're not going to believe this but the same thing happened to me, when I walked up to a customer to wait on and said, "May I help you Sir?" When suddenly I realized it was a WOMAN! I felt horrible and kept saying, "OMG, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry." Which made it worse. However, the woman smiled and laughed, and said, "Oh don't worry...everyone thinks I'm a man."

    Whew!

    But I'll tell you...she really did look like a man.

    Wonderful post, buddy! It totally reminded me of ALL the times I stick my foot in my mouth.

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  5. All I can say is... it's a good thing I have small feet. I frequently suffer from "Foot in Mouth" disease. My family thinks I need a muzzle!

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  6. No worries Jimmy--My Sister got over it!

    I'm still laughing though!!!


    J

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  7. OMG I didn't think you'd copy my script! Yes, been there, done that and said so. I haven't yet learned how to overcome either embarrassment or pig-ignorance by joking away a faux pas. And the worst thing is that it worries me for days afterwards. Maybe now you've aired the problem I'll think on in future.... maybe!

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  8. i am always saying the wrong thing even worst i've been know to say hi to someone that i think i know only to realize i'm talking to a stranger i'm a total loon.

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  9. Yes, I've said the wrong thing too. It's quite embarrassing. As for your dad, I know with my own father than older men can be very set in their ways.

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  10. Oh goodness, how mortifying. I had a girlfriend who was a little overweight but also got shots for diabetes in her stomach, so she was a little.... round... up front. People asked her ALL THE TIME when she was due, it got to the point where it didn't even phase her until one time a man ARGUED WITH HER, insisting that she was lying about not being pregnant. For that reason and that reason alone I never ask a woman that question unless I know with absolute certainty that she is pregnant.

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  11. that was funny and thought provoking. I've found that as folks get older the filter seems to misfire. What some folks think is what pops out of their mouth. My MIL tends to do these things...It can be embarassing for sure. It can also be funny!!!

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  12. Hi Jimmy!

    Just wanted to pop by and say hi!

    Hope all is well, buddy!

    Say hi to Cindy for me!

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  13. Thank You my dear friends I am so happy you enjoyed this one, has been a long week but you know how that goes :^)

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  14. That was an awesome giggle Jimmy! I think you're Dad and my Grandpa could have been related. Although at least your Dad says Sir and Mam. Grandpa called everyone sweetie and honey or bud.

    I do put my foot in my mouth from time to time and always try to apologize and make a little fun of myself to ease the situation.

    ♥Spot

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  15. I'm sorry I've been absent lately. Just getting around to checking in on everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Sounds like soemthing my dad would do! Loved it!

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