So. Last week. Fourth grade. There's a little bit of down time while the class is elsewhere, so I'm chatting with the volunteer mom who comes in and checks in homework in the mornings. Among other things, it comes up that she works at Convergys, so naturally I mention that "my husband" works there too. She asks who he is and it turns out they know each other and there's all the crazy "small world, isn't it?" stuff and whatever . . . and then she mentions that she didn't realize I was married. And that she never would have guessed that I was.
That was not the first time I've had that conversation in recent memory.
I'm confused.
It's not like I'm trying to hide my marital status . . . on the other hand, I am also not flaunting the ring on my left hand in everyone's faces either. Mostly because I didn't even do that when we got engaged. And I'm used to the surprise from the kids when they find out I'm married. It's always so interesting to see which ones are interested and how many other questions they ask. And a certain young Eric, whom I'm pretty sure has had a crush on me for 3 years now, has reacted with pure shock and disbelief (and probably a little disappointment, lol) 3 times now upon hearing the news. I think it has something to do with the fact that I'm at least ten years younger than all the other aides. And . . . the fact that I go by "Miss Lacey" might have something to do with it. Maybe.
But seriously - the adult thing. I just do. Not. Get it. I can see the not realizing it thing, like I said I don't exactly flaunt it. But the would never have guessed it thing? The never occurred to them it was possible thing? I'm baffled. And I realize that while no one reading this is even remotely able to give an unbiased answer because, well, you people know me, I have to ask - do I send out some sort of single vibe? Do I exude some single-ready-to-mingle party girl aura? Where is this coming from? I. Am. Confused.
Maybe I should start drinking. Apparently I could score plenty of free drinks - even with the rock on my finger. And mostly I can't think of anything else that being single can get you for free at the moment. :-)
P. ost S. cript
From the "glad we didn't have a videographer file" . . . :-)
Okay, first, I do think that her comment was totally inappropriate. That's just something you don't say to people. The "I didn't realize you were married." That's okay, but the other one is completely out of bounds.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why, but I always find myself looking to see if people are married by looking at the left ring finger. If there's no ring on it, I assume they're not married, big whoop. I actually would never ask about it though.
Now you as far as it's concerned, since you don't flaunt your ring and if I didn't know you, because of what I wrote earlier, I would just assume (which we all know what that makes us) that weren't married; only for the soul purpose of not wearing a ring. When you then proceeded to talk about your husband I would then pretend that I knew it all along and in a future conversation ask how long you had been married.
You know, it never even occurred to me to be offended. I was too surprised by the content to even consider whether the comment itself was appropriate or not. And only one has made the "never guessed" thing, the others were just surprised. Mostly because let's be realistic here - how is a single girl surviving on a part time job where the paychecks dry up for three months? That's really the part that's boggling my mind right now. I don't particularly care that they're surprised, I'm just curious about the thought process that's leading people to check the single box.
DeleteThat video....is fantastic.
ReplyDelete