You know that friend that sometimes causes you to sit back and wonder if they are really a friend or merely a foe in friends clothing? We’ve all got them and some are worse than others.
There’s various reasons to continue a relationship with these kinds of friends, such as when your husband went to school with and is a best buddy of the male half of the adversarial duo to name…….uh one reason. This is the case of a certain couple that we are about to embark on a vacation journey of pretty close quarters. Six of us will be staying in a beautiful cabin in Colorado owned by one of the couples, but not the couple that is the subject of this post.
I’d planned to write more in detail about the plans for this up and coming vacation, but I’ve been too busy searching the Internet for products with great promises for a thicker skin. I’m writing down and memorizing witty comebacks and practicing them in the mirror then working to nail the I don’t care what you think look on my usually very transparent face and finally loosening up the old middle finger salute.
I suspect all of these exercises in survival will fly right out the window the first time she folds her arms across her chest, raises her chin, and looks down upon me with a sweet smile as she very loudly proclaims “It must be nice to be able to come down for breakfast looking like shit and not worry about what others think. I could never pull that off as well as you.”
Huh? I look like shit?
I hope I can still call it a “vacation” by the time we get back.
July 14, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Yeah…I got friends like that. Mostly husbands of my wife’s friends. Whatever…go get ‘em girl! And enjoy the cabin and the mooses…or is it meeses? Whatever…
They do have mooses in Colorado don’t they?
July 14, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Let’s just hope that you are more patient than me! My sister has been known to “prune” her friend list from time to time, based on the fairly reliable “do they make me feel good about myself” criterion. Tricky if they are connected to your other half’s best bud, admittedly. Just bear in mind that you are smarter and funnier – and your friends actually enjoy your company!
July 14, 2008 at 7:16 pm
It took my mother about thirty years of friendship with one couple to finally tell the husband what she thinks of him and his opinions on everything. Now, she feels so much better, and to hell with the friendship that made her continually purse her lips trying to contain herself.
Fresh plums are so much nicer than stewed ones.
Laura (blogging about life in various stages of stewing and pruning at http://www.rebelliousthoughtsofawoman.com.
July 15, 2008 at 10:58 am
My problem is, I always think of a snappy come-back 2 days later.
And what is so frustrating is that it is a GREAT one but not 48 hours later.
Good luck and enjoy your vacation.
Bear((( )))
July 15, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I think I know her!!!! Good luck with your vacation!
July 15, 2008 at 2:17 pm
How about throwing the shit back in her face? As in:
“Are you trying to hurt my feelings or did that just come out wrong?” Said sweetly, with a smile, it tells her to back off while allowing her some space to do it. And maybe she is just a thoughtless wonder. Or maybe she thinks she’s a great wit. Whatever–if you say ‘back off’ nicely, you’ll feel a lot better.
July 15, 2008 at 2:55 pm
byjane: My biggest problem is I’m just like BearNaked and think of what I SHOULD have said 2 days later and by that time, it just doesn’t work. I really have been practicing combacks and I think (hope) I’m going to just say “OUCH” when she pulls her stuff. If I speak more than 1 word she’ll be staring off into the distance not listening anyways. Thanks for all the words of encouragement!!
September 16, 2008 at 11:49 am
i like it