I’d met someone casually and he took my number, ostensibly to discuss a project he was working on which I might be of some use.  He called me up and I was expecting a cordial businessy kind of discussion. HA!

As usual, here was some guy who was going to tell me how to live.  I’m sure if I said I was making spagetti he’d tell me the ‘right’ way to boil it, or if I mentioned arranging my closet, he’d come with advice.

When I go to a lawyer or doctor or anyone whom I have to pay for advice, I’ll listen. But to have this character set about telling me how to live?  And then, when I don’t immediately agree and obey, his voice becomes the kind you use when giving condolences.

Don’t you just hate it when people think they have some kind of right to tell you how to live?

Another thing I hate are those people who will virtually cross the street to insult you.  People who are so hot to insult you they are oblivious to reality?

A friend of mine set her machine to say; “Hi, what are you calling about?”  so she can get all the insults people normally wouldn’t want to have recorded. Another friend had left campus early due to a personal matter, and when returning, was told, in no uncertain terms, why she was not invited to a particular function.  I mean, if you’re going to insult someone, you should really make sure they are available for the insult.

Another trait that used to annoy me is when people don’t listen. They’ll ask you something, and while you are talking will tune you out.  When I know someone isn’t listening I’ll say something like; “So I left the Astronaut corps to join the circus.”

So many people don’t listen when you talk to them, that those who do are almost abberations.  I’ve found myself in opened mouth wonder, and the listener saying, “But you said that…”  thinking my reaction is a disclaimer of a remark, not that I’m shocked to my bones that some actually listened.

Oh, look! Mr. How To Live is calling!  I wonder what unwanted instructions he’s going to give today?