Wednesday 24 September 2008

Calm.......stay calm

Today I very nearly lost the plot.

I had expected some gossip surrounding the break-up of my relationship. After all, I work in the equivalent of a very small community where most of us live on-site and no-one escapes the gossip mill. And most of my colleagues are men.

Do I need to tell you that men gossip worse than women? If you didn't know that, then trust me on this, because they do.

Apparently, I waited until Himself had finished all the work on the cottage before throwing him out. OK two things here. Firstly, I didn't "throw him out" - we had a two week separation which, after 5 days, Himself decided to end by announcing he was leaving anyway. Secondly, all major works on the cottage were completed over 18 months ago. Other minor works still need doing!

Then, and this is a classic, I threw Himself out and immediately took in another dog. This little gem definitely came from my next door neighbour because he asked me, in that casual way you ask a question when you want to know something, who my fourth dog was and had I taken another in already. And who was this mysterious fourth dog? Well even you guys know the answer to that.......Millie the Whippet. My parents Whippet who was staying with me whilst they were on holiday.

You see how gossip starts? Nosey friggin' neighbours who can't stop themselves. He talked to Himself when he was here packing and I was out for the day. The Neighbour promptly went to work and started telling his boss all the juicy gossip. Fortunately, I had already briefed his boss....for this very reason, so he could stop gossip in its tracks. That took the wind out of The Neighbour's sails.

How much of this has originated with Himself being careless in what he said to The Neighbour or whether he did it deliberately or whether The Neighbour has added 2 and 2 and come to 45,000, I will never know.

If I hadn't been chatting to a visitor when The Neighbour arrived back at the office this afternoon, I would have let rip. Fortunately it gave me time to calm down and think about the situation. If I lose it, I will end up fanning the gossip flames and making the situation even worse. I just have to accept that it's my turn to be gossip flavour of the month and let it pass.

Of course, none of this has stopped The Neighbour asking me to look after his dog when he and his famly go to the States for Christmas.

Men!!

12 comments:

  1. Without a doubt, I find men to be far worse gossips then women. It's such a shame really, but it looks like you're dealing with it pretty well. And you're a way better person then me if you're looking after that nosey neighbor's dog over Christmas!

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  2. a spot of t said what I wanted to say... you are a very good person if you look after nosey neighbor's dog. Jerk.

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  3. what they said! although I might take the dog and then teach it to do something highly inappropriate when given a common command, you know, like jump all over someone when told to 'sit'. No wait, that's not fair to the dog.

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  4. Men! Forward them your blog, and be done with them!

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  5. We can be bastards sometimes, huh? lolol

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  6. I never realized how bad men are until I met this one. One day, he came home and told me all about how one of my neighbour's slept with (while she was married and pregnant) one of the guys he was working with. Luckily, he is not one to take gossip out of the house.

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  7. I would have told the neighbour that you didn't know what your own plans would be for Christmas at the moment. I would see how his behaviour goes and if nearer to Christmas you have found him to be greatly improved and can forgive him, say you will have the dog. If you still think he is gossiping don't commit to having the dog at any stage, and tell him that you might do something last minute. I think under normal circumstances it is too early to tie yourself down for Xmas anyway.

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  8. I am so annoyed for you. What an ar*e. Hope your friends hand is better sweetie, and I love the meme with all the different names, hee hee,

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  9. Do you have a good male friend or relation that you could invite for a stay-over? He could sleep on the couch, but when he leave, have him look furtively left and right, and dash out.
    Might as well give them something to talk about!!!
    smiles-
    Patience

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  10. I think I might have been tempted to refuse the doggy sitting request. I rather like Patience's suggestion! LOL

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  11. Lol!! Patience, Lisa has already suggested that idea!!

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  12. Just sending some hugs...what a hassle for you!

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