[This story is now featured in my latest book. More here!]
8 Comments
Amanda - 10 years ago
Oh man. I. Cannot. Stop. Laughing. I was not expecting the turn this took. Your response was perfect and so gracious, I can't believe it only took you a small beat to come up with.
It sounds like this could have been a little creepy, but you were able to turn it around.
Nathan - 10 years ago
Amanda,
Thank you! There's something so satisfying about interactions like this, where I get to talk about absurd things as if they were totally normal conversations... but I have noticed, this has the side effect of making me more gullible in real life: because I've developed a habit of taking absurd statements at face value while on the job, I'll do the same outside of work, and people will say, "how did you not get I was being sarcastic??" And I'll think to myself, "oh, you have no idea!"
Deb - 10 years ago
Oh, my! I can only hope to attain your level of aplomb!
Nathan - 10 years ago
You're going to be fantastic! Despite being extremely demanding of concentration, the job also also offers much time to think. You'll be nonplussed after a lot of incidents, but you'll know exactly what to say when they happen a *second* time!
gary - 10 years ago
Haha, "practice responding... with a straight face" that is hilarious!
Nathan - 10 years ago
Thanks, Gary! It almost feels like exercising, using those straight face muscles at such an unusual time!
Mia - 10 years ago
I so appreciate your diplomacy. Great response, Nathan!
Nathan - 10 years ago
Thanks, Mia! I wish the cupcake hander-outer had been able to see how much pleasure this man took in taking the first bite of the cupcake. A magic moment, as Lou Reed would say!
It sounds like this could have been a little creepy, but you were able to turn it around.
Thank you! There's something so satisfying about interactions like this, where I get to talk about absurd things as if they were totally normal conversations... but I have noticed, this has the side effect of making me more gullible in real life: because I've developed a habit of taking absurd statements at face value while on the job, I'll do the same outside of work, and people will say, "how did you not get I was being sarcastic??" And I'll think to myself, "oh, you have no idea!"