My mom flew down to attend the event, which involved a luncheon at the university convention center. My mom is very careful about her diet, and is currently training for a 10k race, so she is at the lowest end of her weight range that can be considered healthy (discussion on that is a post for another day). She still, thank goodness, lets herself indulge in things she loves, so she had a slice of the cheesecake that was served to follow up the lunch. Yay momma, setting a good example for me.
So after the lunch, when people were mingling and congratulating and whatnot, this woman I don't even know came up to me, squeezed my arm, and said "It's great your mom could come. And we can see from her that you're not going to get too fat on us!"
Great, I'm being recognized for academic accomplishments, research, leadership roles, etc, and you're bubbly about the fact that it looks like my genes are going to help prevent me from becoming "too" fat at some indeterminate point in the future. Consider my validation bubble effectively imploded.
Anyone taking bets on whether she would have said that if I were a male?.
On the bright side, at least I get to use the catch-phrase, thanks again Lisa for articulating what I have so often felt!
8 comments:
Quite frankly, this poor woman may have had a bit more than a touch of the moron. Sometimes I don't understand people like this, but I guess it's good to find some humor in the situation.
Agreed - there's more than just a little moron going on here. I admire you for not making a scene.
My own mother - also a wonderful woman - always used the "water off a ducks back" metaphor. Since ducks' feathers are naturally oily, water just rolls right off their backs. All that negative stuff, crazy comments from the peanut gallery - just let it roll off.
And thanks for the shoutout :)
Wow, wow, wow... I find myself constantly baffled by the stupidity of people. What the hell was that supposed to mean? I'm very irritated on your behalf. Unfortunately, we can't control the beliefs of others, or the ignorance that comes spewing from their mouths. At least you can see it as moronic and move on!
Damn. Way to provide fuel for misanthropy, right?
Sorry, Cammy, that you had to listen to this woman for even a moment.
First congrats on making your decision!! I remember making the grad school decision, and gosh is it hard. Secondly, what a stoooooge. Some people seriously do not think before they speak. Also, it's almost certain she just wanted to express the sentiment of 'hey look, like-mother like-daughter, you're both skinny. how cute' (or 'secretly, I'm jealous'). Not that she had any actual fear/care/etc. of you getting "fat." Our society sucks sometimes. xoxo
Oh my.
People's words never fail to amaze me.
Maybe that's why I prefer to keep my own mouth shut!
Hi Cammy,
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Cheers,
Geoff
Hi Cammy,
You don't know me, but I have been lurking on your blog and many other blogs for quite a while. I think I found yours through Brie's. Anyway, I finally made my own blog! I hope it is okay that I am commenting on your blog.
I really like that phrase, 'a touch of moron' as well! And that lady sounds like she definitely had more than a touch! I am very sorry that you had to deal with her.
Well, like I said, I hope it is okay that I am commenting on your blog. Feel free to check out my blog if you would like!
Stella
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