Like Duh

Don't you wish you could sometimes say how it really is?

Maybe you do. Some people try to be direct but they leave you having to mentally translate their words. I guess that is the passive-aggressive personality. I like the direct approach myself, but it has to be done with decorum. And assuming I couldn't do that, I just let things roll off my back.

When I used to work full time for a Human Resources firm, we had a saying among our team, "silii tilat" meaning - 'say it like it is, take it like a trooper.' Luckily, we were all good friends and forgave each other when an idea was presented and it would be shot down because it was dumb, frankly. Instead of saying, "Interesting idea. Maybe we could tweak that a bit. How about this..." Everyone would say, "That's a crappy idea. Next."

It was funny. Even when it was your idea that was nixed.

I was reminded of this direct approach when after moving here, I was at the mall with Reese and Blair.
Blair was just a baby at the time so I was trying to maneuver opening the mall door, scooting Reese in and pushing the stroller through. Noticing my clumsiness, a gentleman ran to the door and held it open for me. Reese's eyes were right on him as we were walking into the store. I was a bit curious because of Reese's repugnant stare. The man held a lit cigarette in his hand waiting for us to go inside. Inhaling smoke, I thanked him. Not for allowing me to inhale the smoke but for holding the door. Just wanted to make that clear.

Just as I was almost through, Reese, still staring, said to the man with a condescending tone,
"Don't you know that smoking is bad for you???" He had that "Like, duuuhh" attitude so prevalent in teen-agers.

I gasped. My 4 year old is taking on the tobacco industry one person at a time. While I think that taking on big tobacco is honorable, there are better ways of going about it, I am sure.

I gently scolded him and apologized to the man who was trying to be chivalrous.
Except for the second hand smoke thing.

The gentleman laughed and looked at another person and said, "Did you hear what that kid said??"

Embarrassed, I tell Reese that he can't go around telling someone how to live his life.

Looking at me with the gravitas of a 40 year old, Reese exclaimed, "Well, somebody has to."

Like duuuhh, mom.