Although we all try to remain composed when dealing with difficult situations, there are times when we just want to throw hands. When someone really gets our goat or pushes our buttons, steam emits from our ears and it’s on!
For someone like me, a scheduled planner who lives by the calendar I’ve created for myself, I find it challenging to edit, especially last minute. And it’s not because I’m not flexible. I am certainly willing and able to make changes within a given timeframe. It is instead that I’ve already run through the whole scenario of dinner at that restaurant, or a day downtown going here before the line starts AND getting there by lunchtime, or leaving early for the drive anticipating rush hour. In my head it’s almost like I’ve gone through the dress rehearsal of the events to come. My plan was carefully curated taking a multitude of factors into consideration before settling on the choices and the order of said choices. So your last minute impulsive nonchalant request to change to my choreographed strategy irks me– to say the least.
So when you mess with me, I’m tempted to be unhappy. And to express myself via the written word, I’ve found some colorful ways to close out an email that to the trained reader might signify my unhappiness. Which one is your favorite?
“Calling my Mom after this,” is hilarious. I don’t really use those closings, but I want to! Anyway, I have a friend who calls me and always asks, “So… what’s your program today?” I love this line. It’s so respectful of my M.O. And it’s not what’s ON your program he asks. It’s what IS your program. He totally gets me. He knows that I usually have an orderly list of what needs my immediate attention today, what’s on deck for later, what can wait, and what’s on the growing wish list.
The word program reminds me of those paper pamphlets they hand out at a Second Grade Spring Concert. ‘Member those? They list the order of performances so the audience can manage their expectations and adjust in those obnoxiously squeaky auditorium seats before the off key chorus gets cookin’ or the breakaway soloist pipes up with a long winded tune. Who’s laughing? I’m serious! So just like the Spring Concert flyer, I’m one who loathes to vary from the program as I’ve already managed my expectations in anticipation of what’s to come.
Beyond my control is the business lunch that cancels at the last minute. I’ve showered. And dressed. I have hair and makeup already done and you’re cancelling? And moving to day when rain is expected? Could you not?? Yeah I understand in theory that you have a big client meeting that might run over or unexpected travel, a sick kid, emergency at your house blah blah blah. Whatever. What about my drycleanables that I’ve already creased? Can I get a reimbursement from your expense account to press them?? Or what about the fact that I have no luncheon meat in the house because we were supposed to meet at a restaurant that serves food? Now I have to change AND grocery shop in the next hour. Ugh. My day is now compromised… but sure. “Let’s move the lunch,” I always say with a smile because I’m expected to be flexible and understanding and not rigid and difficult.
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