Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Little Kids

You might think by the time that I’d reached my six-foot height, people would think I was a grown up or at least getting there. If not then, maybe when I graduated college and got a job, a light could have flickered on the idea. My mom and dad were fairly sure about it. My son’s teachers knew when he went to school that I am a full-fledged adult. Somewhere along the line, even my brothers—older, older and younger, older—begrudgingly gave up the fight to believe I am a 12-year-old kid.

But some people just have it in their heads that everyone who is not them should do as they’re told. They treat everybody like little kids. Whereas, I believe that when it comes to my life, I get to pick. I know. It’s silly of me.

I might get more of this belittling treatment than some people do because I generally overlook the behavior of difficult people. I pretend that they are my mean, old Aunt Genevieve—the nasty old witch—the one we had to be nice to when we were kids. She was our mothers’ sister and that was respect. Well, it was respect for our mothers.

These Nasty Aunt Gens are constantly telling me what I should do and what I think. They tell me I’m selfish when I don’t put them first automatically. When I don’t think their thinking because I actually know something that disproves it—I’m just complaining. If they give me something I didn’t ask for, didn’t want, and don’t need, I’m expected to gush thank yous, or deal with pouting, self-pity, and snarky, snide remarks. No reasoning, explaining, or cajoling works with these lemons. They have only three speeds—neutral, used when they sleep, showering insecure affection, and totally hurt and upset.

It’s my nature to give them a place to stand. I usually find a way to see what made them that way, like I did for my wretched old Aunt—she really was sick in the head. There was no fixing her.

But the last two Nasty Aunt Gens I’ve met have been in their twenties. They were products of too much self-esteem. They were emotional bullies. They got their own way by switching gears from aggressive to hurt to aggressive again without letting anyone else breathe. I'm old now. They tire me out. My patience is thinning—in their case, rather that than my hair.

Imagine! Little kids trying to push me around just because I’m nice. HUH! Even nice people aren’t nice all of the time. Don’t they know that?

I’m going to spend tonight watching W.C. Fields movies so I can practice one thing.

“Go away, kid. You bother me.”

I think this idea might have some potential.
Maybe not, but a girl can dream.
—me strauss Letting me be

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Go away, kid, you bother me! LOL!! I haven't heard that in years! But it's usually those pesty brats that don't have the good sense to go away and keep coming back. Those 20-somethings have a lot of growing-up to do (smile). Hope your hair doesn't thin just thinking of that prospect.Do they read blogs? Maybe this will be a heads-up.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Dawn,
Good morning! I suspect the ones who need to read this would never think it would be about them. It's like that Carly Simon song, "You're So Vain." Do you really think she thought he was vain, or do you think he thought she was just mad?
Liz

Anonymous said...

Wow you have more patience than me. I can't stand being around people like that. Espeecially those who are always unhappy and take it out on others around them. I'm so not into the self-pity thing, or the 'I'm right, You're wrong' people of the world :)

:) Morning

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Jennifer!
Good morning, here's your juice.
I can take a lot of that kind of thing. I guess it's got something to do with being the baby of the family. You always had to sit in the middle in the back seat of the car. But I don't think I like it much from kids who act like they know more than I do when I could be their grandmother. :)
Liz

Anonymous said...

My whole family is like that. They thrive on other people's pain.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Sassy,
Gee I'm glad you came back.
I've decided to ignore anyone who doesn't contribute positively, whenever I possibly can. It sure takes will and practice to do it, though. Whew!

I leave the others their misery.

Anonymous said...

the other day reading one of the "american girl" books, my 9 year old daughter came across the sentence, "children should be seen and not heard." the story is set in high society 1920s. my daughter had no concept of what that meant. she goes, "but if someone's close enough to see me, how could they not hear me, too?"

it took me a while to explain it.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Rhein,
You're back! How great to see and HEAR you!

I can imagine how much time it must have take to explain that one. Do you know this one. "Little pictures have big ears."?

smiling to see you,
Liz

Anonymous said...

There's hope for you yet ;)

I once had a house guest. A very princess like house guest who resented the fact that I too wanted to spend time in my house.

Anyways, I told her I could give her a ride to the train station on my way to work but that I leave at 8 a.m. sharp. Naturally, little miss princess was late.
Guess what??? She got to walk!

I'm still enjoying my moment of nastiness from five years ago :)

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Every time you comment,Melly,
I learn from you. I really mean it.
You have a power and a presence that I really admire. I'm delighted to think that you find there's still hope for me.
I'm grinning really. :)
Liz

Anonymous said...

Liz, you should tell those children where to get off! Don't let them distract you! The next time you see them, look them in the eyes and tell them you're a grown woman who can do as she pleases. We need you to post for us in a calm voice. Please get back to us so we know that you told them what I told you to. Why don't you love us?

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Of course, I love you, Doug,
I can't help, but love you.
You make me laugh so much.
I start smiling when I see you've been here.
Liz

Anonymous said...

How pleasant it is to live your life your way, without excuse.

Enjoy.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Allan,
If only I could figure out how.
Good to see you again. :)
Liz

Anonymous said...

Hey Liz,

Being around those kind of people slowly drains away your energy and soon enough you get drawn into their conceited little worlds - simply cut the cord, let go and be done with them.

The one's annoying you sound like true narcissists: characterized by self-preoccupation, lack of empathy, and unconscious deficits in self-esteem.

Now who are these 20-something nasty aunts... maybe we can share notes ;-)

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hey Nacho guy,
I hear you loud and clear. I have pretty much done what I can for the moment to get as far from the frey as I possibly can.

Liz