Truth and tact is a tricky one. I’m not a fan of telling everything I know. However, there are those amongst us who live for prying open Pandora’s Box with a tire iron and will do whatever it takes to get at the juicy goods. This is where proper upbringing is at its most impressive. Phrases such as “bless his heart,” “isn’t that special,” “you don’t say,” “I don’t really know him personally” and “really, I hadn’t noticed” come into play. And when I do want to tell what I know, I may need to open the war chest with “he’s just popular,” “he does tend to end up a tad over-served” or “well, you know his whole family is that way (bless his heart).” And with that, I promptly pull myself away to speak to someone across the room (I just pick anyone, it doesn’t matter) or reach in my pocket to set off my phone in order to escape further interrogation. Let’s face it. Some fools are not easily deterred—or interred either, judging by their behavior.
When in over my hear, I’ve found in life that plastering a smile on my face and nodding is the only thing that keeps me from curling into the fetal position and sucking on a Sippy cup of vodka. I’ve almost caught myself saying “Yes, I was just thinking the same thing,” “Oh right, I thought that was the case” or “did I agree to that?” when truthfully I need someone to show up with those orange coned flashlights to pull my plane into the gate because I didn’t even yet have my landing gear down. My personal favorite that I’ve used so often the edges are frayed is “Oh! What? I thought I’d already done that!” The sad truth is I can’t really recall if I did or didn’t. It may have something to do with that vodka.
Now before you get all high and mighty on me I must say unequivocally that I am not a proponent of lying or overly-stretching the truth. I merely practice the fine art of distraction. Some people just can’t handle being disappointed…and can’t handle the truth either.
I’m not sure I’m a great person, that I control others’ chaos or even have a cure for bad conversation, but there are situations in which I know it’s best not to react. Much less overact. I’m not at the top of my game every day, but I’m asked to make the day for others in my job. To do that, I simply try to be available, listen, and not embarrass them any more than they’re already doing sometimes. Bless their hearts.