Commentary Comedy

Sometimes, when people work into the wee hours, we find bloggy ways to take breaks. This goes down as my submission under the category of Intercontinental Comedy. The original post, What We Dislike, posed the idea that what we dislike most in others is what we have not accepted in ourselves.

I usually don't treat questions asked in sincerity with irreverency. But I asked the question, and it had been a rough week. This certainly seemed the right question to test the theory. That was my thoughtful rationalization. (translation: That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.)

Thank goodness for Lee who came in at the end to add some sanity.

The following conversation occurred across three continents. Eric is in the UK. ME (Liz) is in the US. Lee is in Australia. The time line listed is US CST.

Here is what transpired:

Eric Mutta said...
Indeed. As social creatures, we tend to desire company whether it be physically or in terms of subscribing to the same principles. Those who are similar to us blend in, those who are different, we tend to shy away from.
6:36 PM

ME Strauss said...
But Eric that's not what the question is about. The question says we don't like in others what we don't like in ourselves.Liz
6:55 PM

Eric Mutta said...
Hmmm, I should have refilled my cup of coffee before posting. Ooops :-)
10:02 PM

ME Strauss said...
But your thoughts were indeed very pithy. :)))
10:04 PM

Eric Mutta said...
Must have been that last drop I had before posting. Thanks :-)
11:49 PM

ME Strauss said...
What kind of coffee are you drinking?
11:51 PM

Eric Mutta said...
You'll have to join the SSOPCD (Secret Society Of Philosophical Coffee Drinkers) to get the answer to that one ;-)
12:22 AM

ME Strauss said...
Is there a fee?
12:40 AM

Eric Mutta said...
Not if you know me, there isn't! I work as the bouncer there, asking a deep philosophical question like "how many spoons of sugar do I take in my coffee?", before allowing admission. [whispered] Just answer 3.14159 spoons and you are in ;-)
1:14 AM

ME Strauss said...
I'm supposed to put pi in my coffee?
1:19 AM

Eric Mutta said...
Tadaaaaa!! You've succeeded and are now an official member of SSOPCD. Here is your special mug, the extra special coffee, and a shotgun just in case. Welcome!
1:34 AM

ME Strauss said...
Ah coffee, just in time for me to hit the hay and catch some zzzz
1:36 AM

Lee Carlon said...
I don't think I've ever actually seen this put in words before, but it rings true, and it's one of those funny ones that you don't really consider other people are aware of, but obviously they are.

btw; watch that Eric character; I think he might be trying to put together some sort of posse.
8:40 AM

ME Strauss said...
Hi Lee,Yes, I know what you mean. It was in a moment of serious self-reflection that I realized that something someone else did that constantly irritated me was a trait of my own. Now when someone bugs me, I look first for what my version of that behavior might me. I've heard others who've voiced this same sentiment, so I don't by any means, claim to be the sole keeper of this idea. But I did discover it for me.

As to that Eric guy, I've not decided yet. Do you think he's a ghost in the machine?
8:45 AM

Lee Carlon said...
I used to spend far too much time reflecting on such things, but this is probably a good thing, as it might have taught me some patience.

Glass houses and all that.I haven't made my mind up about Eric yet either. Maybe he's a coffee salesman.
9:11 AM

ME Strauss said...
I know what you mean, Lee. It's in the nature of writers to be reflective--no mirror puns coming.

On Eric, coffee salesman? From the Restaurant the End of the Universe--that would make sense.

The names have not been changed, because you could read about the guilty by clicking the comments link anyway.

Later Lamnasra and Garnet joined us with insights on the question that were on topic and moved the discussion forward. They were polite enough to overlook the shenanigans that had gone before them. Thanks to both of them for that.

—me strauss Letting me be