Sunday, February 08, 2009

Thanks for nothing

I am one of those British people who is terribly, terribly polite. Even to people who don't deserve it.


Imagine this situation: 
I had arrived back in Basingstoke, off the train from London.  It had been snowing in Basingstoke, but there were cars on the roads. I needed to get a bus home, so I headed to the bus-station.
No buses.  One woman had been waiting for 2 hours.  Apparently the roads were too unsafe for the route out to where I live.
I waited a while, chatted with some other people waiting.  Then I went over to some drivers who were loitering at the other end of the station.

'Excuse me,' I said 'do you know if there will be a number 2 any time soon?'
'No love, too dangerous.' replied a man clutching a clipboard.
'Oh I quite understand.  Its very difficult for you to ask drivers to go out in these conditions.  But is there any chance of letting us know if there are any developments?'
'Yeah, all right.'
'Thank you so much, I really appreciate it.'

30 minutes later, nothing.  no information, no buses.  I wandered over again.
'I'm sorry to bother you again, but have the condition s got any better?'
'No.'
'I don't suppose you've got any indication of when or if they'll get better?'
'No.'
'Ok, well thanks for your help.'

Thanks for your help?!  What's wrong with me?  He couldn't have been less helpful unless he'd thrown a snowball at me.  And I always do this.

Someone walks into me when I'm standing at the station.  What do I say?  'Sorry!'
Someone wheels their large suitcase over my foot. 'Sorry!'
Someone pushes their trolley into my shin at the supermarket. 'Sorry!' I say as I hobble out of their way.

It is a very British condition, but I think I'm a particularly bad case.  Perhaps I have to be more assertive:
Someone walks into me when I'm standing at the station.  What do I say?  'Sorry for standing in your way.  open your eyes next time.'
Someone wheels their large suitcase over my foot. 'Was my foot inconveniently positioned?  Perhaps I should cut it off...?'
Someone pushes their trolley into my shin at the supermarket. 'Oh forgive me for so inconsiderately queuing here.  Next time I should lie down in front of your trolley to facilitate your movement over me...'

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think that every now and then, we're given a choice on who we want to be, and who we don't want to be. This is your chance, Mylissa. Do you want to continue to be the person you are, or become what you despise..

A choice.

Mylissa said...

Thanks for your comment Teresa.
in reality, I'm never going to change - I just sometimes get a little frustrated by it all and need to vent...!

Anonymous said...

Whew! Very glad to hear that, Mylissa :) The world needs more people like you.

Mylissa said...

Oooh, thank you! *blushes*

Unknown said...

'needs more people like you' Eh? Mylissa. I am just like you, that's why I employ Dr Awsome.He told me - "no we don't need more people like you - what good will you be when we are over-run by muslims,fundamentalists, and other believers, eh? never thought of that did you?" Sorry Mylissa. When was yer picture taken then?