We all know that one person who’s SUPER ANNOYING.
Have you ever had the heart-stopping thought, that maybe, YOU’RE the annoying one — to someone?
I think I’m cool to hang out with — but what if I’m not??
I can remember every time that I’ve been excluded from things. In high school, by other women, by co-workers. And I’ve thought — ‘maybe I’m just annoying’.
Well, regardless: Annoying People are people, too!
Just because someone is annoying / weird / different doesn’t give you the right to be mean to them.
***Thoughts as I try to make new friends with the other wives on my husband’s new baseball team****
One of the worst parts of being a baseball wife, is stressing out to try and make a good first impression with the other wives / girlfriends in the stands.
Last season, my husband played for FOUR different teams — which meant, I had to meet a new group of women just about every month.
Do you know how intimidating it is to walk up to a group of 8-10 women, who all seem to be best friends, and casually drop in on their conversation in an effort to make some new friends?
Although I must say, 99% of the women are extremely nice! It’s just when I hear about a “bad” one — it’s usually based off *one* instance or *one* bad look..
In the world of baseball, you may meet one wife and then never see her again (husband gets traded, DFA’d, sent down, or she doesn’t come to many games).
So first impressions can be scary, too. It seems like if you have one rough encounter, you can be branded as “rude” or “weird”. Which sucks, and I’m hoping to change that.
I remember one time I was nervous meeting this one wife, and I made the *dumbest* pun-joke about her last name. As the words left my mouth, I immediately wanted to DIE. I still remember that encounter VIVIDLY to this day and it gives me the shivers. Ha. And of course, that was the only time I ever saw her. So at least one person out there thinks I’m super weird!
So this is what I’m asking of you, the reader:
Give people a chance. More than one. First impressions aren’t always the real story.
Be inclusive. Just because someone isn’t your best friend, doesn’t mean they should be left out when you and your co-workers get together. Especially if they’re new. It will mean a lot to them.
I remember when I had just taken a job in Florida. I was pretty down about moving again and how I didn’t have any friends at my new job.
I decided to go to the beach, by myself. Because the beach is awesome, regardless of how many friends you bring, right?
As I lay my towel down, I see a big group about 20 yards away from me. Upon closer look… it was about THIRTY of my co-workers. Including some other new people who had started the same time as me.
Cool, guys, real cool. Don’t worry. I’ll just sit over here by myself!
My new self would have marched right over and tried to socialize, assuming it was a mistake.
But back then, my self-confidence was low, and I’m very non-confrontational.
So I put my sunglasses on…. and I cried.
That is, until “Pony” by Genuine came on my headphones. Trying to cry through that song is impossible. So thanks, shuffle! Ha.
I will say, that eventually I actually became good friends with several people in that group that did not include me at first. But it took a little longer for me to come out of my shell after that first incident.
Bottom line: it doesn’t take much to include everyone. You don’t have to be best friends. But who knows, maybe one day you will 🙂
Blonde Moments 