Dealing with a spiritual bully got me to thinking about bullies in general.
The other week Fellow Traveler and I got an e-mail from an acquaitance we know from past barbecues and luncheon get-togethers. She invited us to a patio evening with a few friends of hers. She added that we could also bring friends -- but only if we ran their names by her. Because, she explained, some of the other women present at the parties we've been to together were a little too blue-collar; so she wanted to be sure that we only invited persons of a particular educational and occupational level.
As I read this missive, I was mentally transported back to the playground of Outer Podunk Elementary School. Our class queen bee Mean Shelley was informing me that I was not allowed to play jump rope with her and her friends. Moreover, I was instructed to stand at a defined distance away from them, lest onlookers mistake me for someone included in her circle.
Anyone who's ever been a "'tween" girl, or who has 'tween girls, knows that they can be vicious little divas. Thing is, usually they grow out of it.
I'm sure, looking back, that I was an outsider growing up, but I was so out of it that I didn't know the difference. Pretty sad, huh? I really do think that I have a disability of putting names and faces together, so it has always been hard for me to socialize in a group. These days I'm comfortable unless I'm tired, and I've learned some compensation skills that help only a little.
ReplyDeleteHoly Crap! What a bitch!
ReplyDeleteBut that actually does go on. My brother-in-law is a lawyer and partner with a big city firm and what I hear is that others in the office look down their noses at him because his father was blue collar and because he didn't marry a lawyer.
Then I've also heard of a family that stopped coming to our church (this is a few decades ago) because the ushers (one of whom was the mayor) laughed at them behind their backs because they didn't have very nice clothes to wear to church.
I don't know about you but if I got an invitation like the one you received and her reason for vetting prospective guests would make that acquaintance one that I wouldn't be very acquainted with anymore.
Yup. Needless to say, we are not attending this little soiree of the chosen.
ReplyDeleteIf you're "unable" to attend personally, why not send along your best friend instead - you know, the bloke who ate with tax collectors, hookers, assorted sinners and smelly fishermen? Wonder what Madame would make of Him?
ReplyDelete