I’m in my fourth week of redundancy and I continue to work in ‘my’ café every morning – writing blog posts, looking for work, networking, eating scones … all highly essential stuff. I’ve been writing here for approximately seven years, ever since I began my degree – and I’ve long since realised I work much more effectively here than at home.
Most of the people who are here during the day are old, and most of them are sweet – I’ve got to know a few and they do their thing (gossiping and drinking tea) … and I do mine. However, there are times when the generation gap is palpable and some older people just don’t take kindly to a café being used for anything other than drinking tea in.
Take this one particular couple for instance. I tweeted about them last week because I noticed them staring at me as I sat next to them and couldn’t quite work out what the problem was. I then took my laptop out and the woman said to her husband, “Told you so.”
Now, I’m a peaceful woman … I come to the café to work and keep myself to myself … BUT … I really (really) don’t like people staring at me – it’s just rude. If you’re going to people watch, at least be discrete. But not this couple. It seemed that my presence (and that of my laptop) had really irritated them.
I looked at the man to see what his reply to “I told you so” would be … maybe I was being particularly and unnecessarily sensitive. Yeah, I wasn’t. He looked at me, then his wife, then nodded.
What the actual ….?
I was minding my own business! Isn’t it just normal practice to find at least one person using a laptop in a café these days? Even my Dad uses a computer – and he’s 72! What’s the big deal?
It was a minor ‘to do’ .. and I honestly didn’t think any more of it. I was only mildly irritated.
Until they came back today – and then did exactly the same thing!
Now, the problem is, I was brought up by my parents to respect my elders – I’m old fashioned like that, and I am a very respectful person in general … but when people are just plain rude, I find it really difficult to bite my tongue.
And yet I managed it today. For the second time. Reckon I’m mellowing with age.
After they had finished talking about me and staring, they walked out and they both actually stopped … just to stare at me a bit more.
Truly bizarre.
However, I have to admit to taking a small amount of pleasure from the fact that I obviously wind them up so much … I just wish I knew what the problem is! I must just have one of ‘those’ faces!
I hate having to resort to staring competitions with OAPs … but they started it 🙂
What annoys me most is that I raise my boys to be polite, especially to the older generation, but sometimes I wonder why I bother when they don’t feel the need to reciprocate.
I have a second interview tomorrow that I’m very excited about … I really hope that I get back to work and out of this cafe soon!
Oooh I think you did the right thing but I’d be so tempted to know what they were actually thinking!! So rude!
It was rude wasn’t it?!
They fancy you and want a threesome
It was all code to see if you understood “the lifestyle”
Well so I am led to believe. A friend told me
Quite possible …
Oh I’m sorry, you are a much better woman than me! Xx
Jo Henley recently posted..It will get easier???
Was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done lol.