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Saturday, December 5, 2009

What is the proper response?

Somebody please help me know what to do in these situations. They seem to be recurring and I am confused at what the proper response should be.

1. The radio is on when you enter the room, you begin to enjoy the radio and laugh along with the quirky Car Talk guys while preparing your breakfast. After about 10 minutes, once you are getting into it, the radio is suddenly and worldlessly turned off.

2. You're having a discussion with somebody who (1) doesn't like to be interrupted and (2) tends to take extremely long pauses. You have been the last one to speak, suddenly he says "why the long silence?"

3. You're sitting in the living room with at least one other person. A third person comes into the room and greets only the other person.

I think we'll start with these three and see what kind of advice I receive before moving on.

2 comments:

Mrs. Chili said...

1. "Oh, I'm sorry - I was listening to that. Would you mind switching it back on, please? I'll turn it off when I'm done."

2. "Oops! I thought you were thinking, and I didn't want to disturb you!"

3. "HI! Gee, it's great to see you, too!"

I could probably pull all but the third one off with minimal sarcasm...

Anonymous said...

1. I would turn it back on - wordlessly. If it gets turned off again, repeat. Suggest that if the other person doesn't like it, leave the room. Or tell them to fuck off. Whichever works.

2. I'd agree with the "I thought you were thinking" line.

3. I'd ignore the other person too. I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of acknowledging them - that would only give them the satisfaction of getting a response from you on their ignorance.