Etiquette Freak
I’ve always considered myself to be the norm in terms of social etiquette. After all I am English. *smirk* … But lately I have begun to realise that I am, in fact, the exception to the rule. The societal freak if you will. You see, I have a very strict personal code of conduct. When I say I will call somebody, then I call them!!!! I know, it’s bloody mad isn’t it???? Is that not the most fantastic weirdness you have ever heard of? Wait, it gets even crazier. I answer my emails promptly!! If I am going to be late (and I always am) I call the person I am meeting to let them know!!! To me, the words “I’ll call you tonight” do not mean “I’ll call you if and when I get around to remembering or feeling like doing so”. I really DO mean “I will call you tonight.” Now, I’m not perfect (I know, what a shock!!), there are times when for example, I am recovering from surgery or there is a five-alarm fire in the building when I will shamefully shirk my obligation. But more often than not I will do as I say. Of course, if I do not say I will call then do not expect me to do so. Then again, do not expect me to not do so either.
I grew up thinking that this was simply the way things were. Just as the sun rises every morning, one did as one said one would. I’m really not kidding here. I have always believed that when you make plans with somebody, reasonable excuse aside, you follow through on those plans. I believe that when somebody tells me they will call me — and I speak here of friends / lovers / strangers / coworkers / business-associates / stalkers / telemarketers / wrong numbers — that they truly will call me. So very many times I end up feeling like a small child finding out that the fat man in the red suit is not actually Santa but some homeless wino who has been dragged in off the street for a two-day gig. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Especially since I am not Christian. Then again, neither is Santa. But I digress. I have been randomly accused of being High Maintenance because I honestly and naively believe that when somebody says they will call/arrive/be-there/go-away/call-me-right-back, that the person will actually do as they say. Because I do.
Which apparently makes ME the freaky one.
November 6th, 2006 at 2:19 pm
I guess if those things make you high maintenance, then I am, too. I can’t get with people who don’t have the courtesy to follow through on the things they say they’re going to do.
November 6th, 2006 at 2:55 pm
Hmmm… well apparently those who taught you such proper English etiquette have been rather remiss in their continuing duties, hence the current crop of English teens being ranked the world’s worst, in terms of drunk and disorderly activity and outright brazen promiscuity, to wit today’s insightful story on CNN.
Regardless, you have heretofore (is that still a word?) hit upon one of my most favorite pet peeves and in relating such, so clearly and concisely, have avoided the other - poor grammar and spelling.
November 6th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
I can honestly admire that about you. I am AWFUL at doing the “little things” like: answering emails, commenting on my friend’s posts, returing phone messages, follow up on “we should” dates… all that. BUT. I am truly making an effort to BE a more reliable person for my friends.
I hope your friends decide to do the same.
It’s only right Dahling xoxoxoxo
November 6th, 2006 at 4:48 pm
This may be hard to fathom, but I am exactly like you when it comes to these kinds of things. While I’m thinking about it, I do believe this makes us sexually compatible.
I’m not sure how a guy like me who leases warehouse space in his head to women, whiskey and disgusting conduct has room left over for proper etiquette. Run that through the lab and let me know what the results are.
November 6th, 2006 at 5:25 pm
They’ll call you back if you swallow.
November 6th, 2006 at 6:28 pm
I am one of those people who arrives fifteen minutes early for everything and winds up feeling five minutes late. Then, I usually wind up sitting wherever I’m at for upwards of an hour while the friend I was supposed to meet sits at home chatting on her cellphone and ignoring my attempts to get a hold of her to see just what in the hell is up? Only one of my friends ever makes a point to call me when she’s going to be late (and, like you, she is always late, though she never expects me to take it for granted), and, as a result, she’s one of the only friends I meet anywhere anymore.
November 6th, 2006 at 6:59 pm
John: were I to be on talking terms with my family, I would inform them that they are responsible for the entire nation’s youth.
Rio: call me!!
Rik: I’m busy swallowing my pride.
Temma: Where’s the punch line?
November 7th, 2006 at 7:53 am
I used to be early to everything; then I married the slowest man on the planet. My pet peeve? People who don’t RSVP when the invitation clearly states to do so. Fuckers.
November 7th, 2006 at 9:18 am
Expecting people to call when they say they will? CALLING when you say YOU will?? Scary.
xxx