They're not laughing at you--they're laughing near you.
Today, two childhood memories came to mind. They were linked by one common factor: grownups laughing at me. I realize now, of course, that they were laughing because I was so disarmingly cute. But unlike some kids who know this about themselves and milk it, I was completely oblivious. On the contrary, I had an amplified sense of my own dignity.
The first instance occurred at some sort of garden party hosted by my stuffier relatives. Anticipating the impending stuffiness, my mother had coached me in etiquette prior to the party. "Call everybody Mr. or Mrs. So-and-so." No problem. As it turned out, not everyone at the party was as stuffy as expected. During the introductions, one elderly lady even told me to call her Liz. I replied, "Ok, Liz," only to be met by giggles from the old ladies. I was afraid I had done something wrong.
Another time, I was at a neighborhood picnic when one of my new neighbors wanted to play "Can you say..." Being a mite too old for such games, I decided to indulge him out of politeness. Apparently, he was an Auburn fan, because all I remember is repeating "War Eagle" back at him and the whole picnic breaking up. That's when my over-developed indignation kicked in. I told my mother I had to go to the bathroom, and once inside, gave her a stern lecture about how I didn't appreciate grownups making fun of me and how I wasn't going back out there. She, in her infinite wisdom, managed to smooth things over, but I was never quite as trusting after that.
I suppose I'm not as quick-witted as I always thought, seeing as it took me 18 years to figure out what was so funny.
Took me a while and a lot of googling, but I finally got it ;)
Posted by: Derek on January 27, 2004 08:54 AMAh, but the real test is whether you can get it without help. ;)
Posted by: Meredith on January 27, 2004 07:38 PM...disarmingly cute
I'm glad some things haven't changed ;)
Aw, shucks. ;)
Posted by: Meredith on January 28, 2004 09:03 AM