Yesterday afternoon, my friend and I went to a local restaurant to have lunch. I was starving, and I think she planned to tell me about her big upcoming project… at least that was the plan.
Instead, we both got to know “Tim” — quite well, in fact.
See, Tim does not know this yet (I don’t think), but he was on speaker phone when the guy speaking to him sat down at the table next to us in the crowded establishment. I’m pretty sure his volume level was set to “obnoxiously high” too.
“Tim” was quite unfiltered, and the volume was up so high that everyone in the eatery was forced to participate, whether they had intended to or not — and I’m assuming the later rather than the former.
It was an interesting discussion of betrayal, lost love, other friends losing jobs because they’re deadbeats — at least according to Tim, and he seemed to be a guy that calls it as it is.
Anymore, though, when such unsettling, notable stories occur, I try to ask myself, “Was this a teaching moment?” Or, “What did I and others learn from this situation?”
After a little thought, I’ve came up with a few:
I learned that rude people really bother me. Not my inner peace, but probably in the same ways they do any other human being: rude people are just obnoxious. Obviously.
But the learning/teaching moment doesn’t stop there.
The gentleman sitting beside us learned that I will most certainly tell him to “Be sure to say ‘Hi!’ to ‘Tim’ for me” when I make my way past his table to leave. It was the politest way I could say, “You’re a complete jerk, and you just ruined everyone’s lunch in here today because of your ridiculousness.” He got the message — at least it was delivered.
Probably about next week, “Tim” is going to learn that he was on speaker inside a crowded local restaurant. I’m guessing the local gossip mill will get back to him by then — perhaps faster given all of his strong opinions about all sorts of people. All of them publicly-aired in a crowded place no less.
In reality, “Tim” may be lonely soon — virtually friendless, already womanless, and perhaps jobless.
But “Tim,” I kinda like you. I like people who I know where I stand with them, not fake, and it appears that will not be an issue.
I’ll even add you to my short list of friends that I make it a point to answer the phone “You’re on speaker!” three times before they can even say “Hi!” I mean, doesn’t everyone have at least one friend like that?
Please note: Some names and details have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent.