I have a little story to tell on behalf of my mom.
She recently made the brave leap from living on a government disability pension back to the working world. Yesterday was her birthday, so she went downtown to the park to enjoy her salad and some early autumn sunshine during her lunch break.
A woman sat down on the bench beside her and mom told me that all she could think was, “Please don’t sit and smoke while I’m eating…”
Sure enough, the woman pulled out a cigarette and lighter and asked my mom, “Do you mind if I smoke?”
Mom gingerly, politely, and I’m sure, reluctantly replied, “Actually, kind of, yes.”
The woman was shocked and visibly angry. “You MIND?” she said, shaking her head in my mom’s direction.
Mom was taken aback by her rudeness.
“Maybe I don’t have the right to say so, but since you asked me, I’m answering you.”
The woman angrily got up to storm away. “And we’re OUTSIDE!” she exclaimed.
I ask you, why did that woman bother asking my mom if she minded her smoking if she didn’t really care what the answer was? I suppose it was just lip service. Well, smoking is disgusting, will probably kill you, and when I’m eating in a public place, if you ask me if I mind if you smoke, I’ll tell you YES, yes I do.
In other news…
Last year I started writing for a website. Then I quit my job, started another job that meant I’d be at work 70 hours a week, and that in turn meant that I wouldn’t be able to meet the minimum content requirements of the writing gig. Sadly I had to step away from that new opportunity. Now that things have calmed down a bit professionally (but not personally, never personally, it seems), I decided to contact the good folks at Suite101.com, and they are pleased to reinstate me. It means I’ll be contributing ten articles over the next three months. It’s a writing challenge for me. You see, I do want to spend more time developing my writing skills, and hope eventually to make a little money putting these skills to work. This is a great opportunity to roll up my sleeves and get to it.
Huzzah on the new writing gig!
And? Your mom has guts. I just decamped yesterday from a very pleasant bench where someone sat down and proceeded to blow smoke in my face. I want to smell the leaves, not my impending lung cancer, thank-you-very-much.
Your mom had every right. Go mom.
And go you, write you write!
Wait, so – do you mean to tell Bossy a person can earn money writing?
Congrats on the gig! I have been pondering trying to write for pay lately (just need to figure out how). Good for you!
And your mom was right to answer the question the way she did.
Also? You’re on Twitter too? I’m going to add you, swap buddy!
I can’t believe that woman! Unbelievable!
Congrats with the writing gig!
And, I got your email a while ago, and I would love to have coffee with you again sometime!