I'm a friendly person by nature, but I think New York has significantly reduced my desire to be chatty with strangers. When I'm in a cab, getting my nails done, or picking up my laundry, I just want to be left alone. Sometimes I'll joke with the guys at the convenient mart down the street (they've seen me at my finest—grabbing as many bags of chips as I can carry at 3am), but generally I don't want any part in chit chat. My weekend plans are none of your business, and no, I don't know whether or not it's supposed to rain tomorrow. Sorry.
So you can imagine my horror when the girl next to me at the grocery store the other day started loudly proclaiming that she REALLY DIDN'T NEED TO BE EATING the Edy's ice cream she put in her cart. As I intently searched for my favorite Weight Watchers bars, hoping she'd just go away, I heard, "I gained 20 pounds, and I'm the heaviest I've ever been. I've never been so...FAT! I really shouldn't be buying this." I sheepishly looked over, and sure enough she was staring right at me. Right, my turn. "Ohh...um...really?" That is all the encouragement she needed. The next five minutes were a bit of a blur, but this is what I learned about my new friend:
She broke off her engagement four months ago, and has been sitting on her couch eating takeout ever since. She loved the guy...truly, but he was too much of a "fucking crack addict" to have a future with. She's done with drugs. Well, for the most part. The next guy that came along hit her. She punched him in the nose. And broke it. Peace! This weekend she's having a sexy rendezvous in Philly with her high school sweetheart. But OMG, what should she wear?! Absolutely nothing FITS! More fat talk. And some more. There was also something in there about wanting to lose weight so she can go back to not wearing a bra. And other shit I can't recall. I told her good luck as I made my way over to the cereal aisle.
Ohh and check out this chick's TMI story. It's pretty damn funny! On the same note, remember this post I did about yoga class and farting? Classic.
Umm yeah, that was a bit invasive. Poor girl, though, I think she really needed someone's ear. Tell me: Has anyone ever gone TMI-crazy on you? What did you do?
Posts
Assuming we're not talking about when I'm in session and get paid to hear TMI, I have very little tolerance for it. I get a blank look on my face, say "uh huh" and then mumble something about bein gin a hurry because (kids at home, late for doctor's appointment, whatever pops into my head) and then scuttle off.
ReplyDeleteOkay seriously laughing on the floor right now! That is crazy!!
ReplyDeleteDo you worry about your personal safety when people launch into super personal monologues like that? Like, worry that when you walk away they're going to lose it on you?
ReplyDeleteThere's this guy at work who will come in to report something and then will launch into a minute-by-minute review of his work day so far, as if it has anything to do with me. I think I have "free therapist" written all over my face.
haliwoodsaywhat.blogspot.com
Haha- i'm thinking this girl needs to NoT meet the next guy until she feels great about herself- she needs to wake up to spending time with herself.
ReplyDeleteOh i totally appreciate the privacy being sacred thing- i live by it.
I think it's partially her fault that she won't pick herself up off the ground.
ReplyDeleteIt's okay to fall down and be sad for a little while, but ultimately we're the only ones who can change ourselves.
Too many times, I don't know what draws these people to me. On the bus, at the grocery store, while I'm volunteering... yeah.
ReplyDeleteOhhhhh WOW. I would have dropped by basket and run. For reals. Please say you didn't give her your number.
ReplyDeleteUnless, you know... you need a new crack dealer.
omg, i don't know what i would've done in that situation. because that's horrifying! incidently, I had a TMI moment last nite, though not with a total stranger. I was out at the gay bar with a friend who used to work at my job, she's a nice girl, we always have fun, but she ALWAYS tells me too much. like the details about her st. patrick's day hookup that one should never tell anyone, let alone someone you used to work with. in her defense, she was drunk when she told me. but on the flip side, she would've told me even if she were sober...
ReplyDeleteSAW, I should have made an excuse, but I think I was in so much shock, I didn't know what to do!
ReplyDeleteWell thanks, Kim. I wasn't worried about it...until now... ;)
So true, Wallflower. I believe in allowing yourself to cry your eyes out, be sad for a while, but then pull it together. Well I guess at least she's not into drugs anymore..."for the most part.."
Ha, noo LiLu, I did NOT give her my number. I didn't stick around long enough after her rant to ask!
Oh god, Nadette, that's the WORST. Does she usually feel awkward for spilling the next day?
I'm always rambling to random people on public transportation and the like. If I didn't I'd end up talking to myself, and I don't want to be one of those people that talks to himself on the el, so I probably get on some people's nerves. That chic is crazy though who goes into that much personal detail about stuff at a grocery store? Nutter.
ReplyDeleteellen, she's totally shameless. she doesn't bat an eyelash at revealing too much information. ever. she used to regail her drinking follies at lunch when she used to work with at my job, and would only edit them slightly if our boss was there, but only SLIGHTLY. she's just one of those people without boundaries. smh...
ReplyDelete