Thursday, May 16, 2013

Were you raised to be ‘too’ nice?

I know folk who would like to be nasty when treated badly, but just don’t know how. And on the other hand I know witty folk who can come up with a perfect ‘put down’ before the perpetrator realizes they have been had.

I wish I had been the one who said, “If I were to agree with you, we would both be wrong!”   “WHAT?”

Most folk are not of a nasty nature. Many of us think, ‘I would like to give him/her a piece of my mind’, but we don’t.’ We swallow the thought and go on about our business, frustrated at ourselves because we were too timid to say anything (Maybe I can’t afford to ‘give’ a piece of my mind. LOL).

Once, ONLY ONCE, did I say the right thing under pressure, location, Istanbul, Turkey.

We were on liberty when a riot developed in Istanbul, just outside the giant Flea market. A buddy and I were caught in a mob that was protesting the 7th fleet’s presence up the Dardanelles. We were wearing Whites (Navy white uniforms). The leader came up to me with a can of spray paint, “You will look good black.” And he brandished a can of black spray paint.

I laughed nervously (of course) because It was obviously a can of US Government Issue spray paint. I knew he understood English because he had spoken English to me. I held my arms out to my side palms up in a gesture of hopelessness and said, “Hey man, Not with my own paint!” He held the can, prepared to spray, then laughed pushed me playfully and  spoke in Turkish to the crowd. They all laughed, but let us pass. CLOSE CALL!  The riot did escalate later to burning cars and buses, but thank goodness we made it back to Fleet landing and our ship.

I admire witty folk. Some of you guys are witty methinks. BUT even the wittiest, know when to cut someone down with a retort and when to keep silent.

I just wish I had that choice, because 30 mins later I say, “I should have said ‘your mama wears combat boots!’ or something cute. 

Oh well, we all live with ourselves. We should know our capabilities and live at peace.

 Nite Shipslog

PS:

Know your limitations and capabilities, it is very important to your happiness.

***************************************************

ATT00165

and the latest invention:

airbag

13 comments:

shirl72 said...
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shirl72 said...
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shirl72 said...
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Paula said...

I get so angry with myself that It takes me a while to think of what I should have said. The incidence with the paint sounds scary.

TARYTERRE said...

That was a close call. Glad you escaped without incident.

Chatty Crone said...

Jack - I'm witty - about an hour too late! I wish I was wittier - I think you are! sandie

jack69 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
jack69 said...

This comment is from Shirl...
Shirl said:
I knew 4 ladies that could
come up with something to say in
a second. I think 30 min. later
or say the wrong things. Glad
you got back to the fleet could
has been bad.

I love the air bag..that is hilarious.

Yeah and I know a couple of them you are talking about!!! jack

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I've always wished I could be witty, but am not at all. I've been mad and said the wrong things to the wrong people and then wished I could take the words back at times. But mostly I agree with you...We got to live with ourselves and know our capabilities and try to live in peace.

Louis la Vache said...

Close call in Istanbul! Whew!

Neat '57 Chevy.
The fuel injection was mechanical, derived from the fuel injection used on aircraft engines. The planned, but unbuilt '57 Packards would have had mechanical fuel injection and 4 wheel disc brakes as STANDARD equipment, an industry first in both cases. As it was, Studebaker was the first to use disc brakes - but on the front only - as standard equipment on the '63 Avanti.

Cher' Shots said...

But Jack, we all love you just the way you are. Witty enough to keep us coming back for more.
'love & hugs from afar'

Anonymous said...

I've partially declawed some of my witty over the years. I could be nasty about it when younger, I (mostly) prefer not to be nasty about anything now.

Lucy said...

I think all I need to say is I DO speak my mind, and most generally am sorry after I say it. Now the computer is different. I take a lot of frustrations out on it when it is not working well.