I'm a BOAR!
Have you ever said something and then wondered why those words ever came out of your mouth.. and you wish for that one moment you could just disappear from the face of the earth.!! I've been in such situations before... but this one beats 'em all! (I hope there aren't anymore)
The day: was like any other..
The place: Snack-shak
The topic: Astrology
The discussion was about astrological/zodiac signs.. which month each of us were born in and the common characteristics. When I deviated slightly from the topic and declared that "I'm a boar"
Now to me, I was making a statement declaring that I was born in the Chinese year of the BOAR. But anyone could make their own interpretations of the statement.
To this, one retorted "what!! I thought you were a human" and without even realising I replied "I'm a boar and even my dad's a boar". Snigger's all around... and hushed laughter!
I just couldn't understand what was so wrong in what I said. And to add to the existing statements.. "I don't know what my mum is though"... That just did it... everyone had a good laugh at my expense! If I'm a boar, my dad had to be a boar.. and my mom most definitely had to be one!!! (not in a zodiacal way!!!)
And now I realised my folly and had to hide my face elsewhere... How could I not realise what I had just said? A terrible foot in the mouth experience. :( Someone even suggested putting up a discussion board on the intranet with musings of my talks!! Now that is just terribly embarrassing!
I've always had a good laugh at celebrities making such statements. But it just ain't a pretty experience when you make one yourself. I've learnt to think before I speak. I speak my mind.. But I need to control what I think and say things at an appropriate time.
I'm quieter at lunches now.. weighing every word carefully.. But I know this is just a phase and only a matter of time before I'm back to my chirpy-talkative phase.. People now say they are "boared" of not hearing me speak much.!
I also know there maybe so many people out there who've had similar experiences... I'd love to hear your story to ease my bruised ego!!!
On Second thoughts... was it a foot in a mouth?... or just a miscommunication?... I'd like to make myself feel better thinking its the latter!!!
posted by Kavya @ 2:33 PM
3 Comments:
He he... that's too funny... but why should it be embarassing? You should just laugh it out!!! You may feel like a total dumbass... but hey we all have our shining moments!!!
You know, I have a problem pronouncing V's and W's... well I can't differentiate between the sharp 'va' & the blunt 'wa' sounds. So yeah, I was in this crowded bar one fine saturday night and after patiently waiting for my turn I ordered 2 Vodka Red Bulls. But instead I got 2 glasses of Water and 2 cans of Red Bulls. And my friend who was right next to me couldn't stop herself cracking up. Pretty embarassing!!!
Another instance was during my student activism time when I was giving a speech to uni students at an anti-John Howard policy rally. (John Howard was the PM of Aust back then... and notice his last name has a 'W'!!!). After the speech, I was hanging around with a bunch of my fellow colleagues, when this new Indian student I had met earlier comes to me and asks who "John Hard" is?! My friends generally used to make fun of my Vs & Ws, but they had struck gold with John Hard. Ever since, people I haven't even met in the student organisation circles started approaching me offering their speech therapy lessons! I dared not repeat the last name of the ex-PM ever since. Imagine my relief when Kevin Rudd won the elections in Dec 2007!!!
It's pretty embarassing... but you just gotto "Smile and Wave" like your Madagascar Penguins!!! :)
And for the record, my dad's a horse, my mom's an ox, but I'm a rat. Go figure!
hmm..am not able to think of one now, but trust me there has been heaps of instances in my life....
Lemme post, when I can remember....
Kavya,
Since I was a witness to this conversation and was part of the crowd that really enjoyed the lunch session that day at your expense, I must say that there is nothing like a hurt EGO or embarrassment for anyone at Global. People put things behind them very soon or they remember the conversation fondly at a later date when a similar topic arises. I have had many many such instances when my statement are completely misinterpreted and the message sent across is completely different. I have laughed at myself and have contributed to further the discussion rather than feeling hurt and upset. I have never been quiet(except when I have a sore throat or sick). People laughing at me has never deterred me from talking and having fun in similar forums. I have also not hesitated in making myself the guinea pig just to ensure that the mood is lively.
Cheer up!!! You know the globalites. They just need a reason to laugh. They just need a Bakra(maybe Boar) at every lunch hour to have a enjoyable lunch session!!!
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