(no subject)
I gained a little bit of self-insight yesterday, based on two completely unrelated incidents. I think about 90% of my actions, when interacting with people are based on recalling previous incidents. When I can't think of one such, I'm a bit flummoxed.
Incident 1: Approached by two, suit-wearing, young men with little, black name badges, who wanted to discuss Jesus with me.
What I did: Said... "Don't really believe in... mumble... mumble." Then fled as fast as possible.
What I should have done: Said... "No, thank-you. My views on Jesus are my business and I don't discuss them with strangers in the street. Besides, I find the founding story of your faith to be too bizarre and I like coffee far to much to ever even consider joining you. Now Good-Day!"
Incident 2: On top the nursery slope at the ski-club, I confronted a beginner in my class who was without a helmet. He said he'd forgotten to pick one up and asked if he could ride down to the clubhouse to get one, to save walking.
What I did: Said... "Mumble, mumble.... OK"
What I should have done: Said... "Absolutely, NO BLOODY WAY! If you get banged-up riding down and taken to hospital, and were without a helmet because I said OK, I will go from trainee-instructor to ex-trainee-instructor more-or-less instantly. You can damn-well walk down there and get a helmet!"
Now, these two "Should have done" things will now be said should those incidents recurr, although possibly with a marginal tone-down for politeness. But I only though of them a few seconds later, after I realized I'd done the wrong thing and was mentally re-running the interaction. But I'm now slightly worried that, without the backup of experience, slightly unfamiliar situation make me, by default, buckle to the other person - acquiesce to what they want, crawl to avoid giving offence or simply run away.
Not good.
Crossposted from Dreamwidth.
http://katsmeat.dreamwidth.org/206147.html#comments
Incident 1: Approached by two, suit-wearing, young men with little, black name badges, who wanted to discuss Jesus with me.
What I did: Said... "Don't really believe in... mumble... mumble." Then fled as fast as possible.
What I should have done: Said... "No, thank-you. My views on Jesus are my business and I don't discuss them with strangers in the street. Besides, I find the founding story of your faith to be too bizarre and I like coffee far to much to ever even consider joining you. Now Good-Day!"
Incident 2: On top the nursery slope at the ski-club, I confronted a beginner in my class who was without a helmet. He said he'd forgotten to pick one up and asked if he could ride down to the clubhouse to get one, to save walking.
What I did: Said... "Mumble, mumble.... OK"
What I should have done: Said... "Absolutely, NO BLOODY WAY! If you get banged-up riding down and taken to hospital, and were without a helmet because I said OK, I will go from trainee-instructor to ex-trainee-instructor more-or-less instantly. You can damn-well walk down there and get a helmet!"
Now, these two "Should have done" things will now be said should those incidents recurr, although possibly with a marginal tone-down for politeness. But I only though of them a few seconds later, after I realized I'd done the wrong thing and was mentally re-running the interaction. But I'm now slightly worried that, without the backup of experience, slightly unfamiliar situation make me, by default, buckle to the other person - acquiesce to what they want, crawl to avoid giving offence or simply run away.
Not good.
Crossposted from Dreamwidth.
http://katsmeat.dreamwidth.org/206147.html#comments