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Tuesday, August 2, 2005

Saying the Wrong Thing

Maybe it’s because I’m entrenched in public-relations speak, but I often enjoy people who have a knack for saying the wrong thing. I cringe when the words fly, but it’s almost an enjoyable cringe.

There is one person in particular who sometimes manages to offend even me with a marvelous lack of tact. Let’s call him Big Mouth.

For example, last night we met some new people and Big Mouth’s first question was, “So what do you do?”

The answer: “Well, nothing right now…”

And his reply: “Oh, UNEMPLOYED! Scandalous! So are you living off the government?”

“No, I’m living off my husband.”

“He hasn’t made you have kids yet, has he?”

At that point, I gave him the look that said, “OK, shut the hell up now.”

And then later, as he was sipping some water, Big Mouth said to a friend, “I would offer you a drink, but I have herpes and I don’t think you want that.”

To which there is no good response.

Posted by Aaron on August 2, 2005 1:34 PM