Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Sometimes you just gotta speak your mind

Recently I ran into a Mom who's son used to go to school with Oldest. I hadn't seen her in over two years.

Being Asian, the first thing she said to me when she saw me was, "Ellen! Long time no see! Oh, you got big! You look like you need to lose some weight, huh. You need to watch what you eat and exercise. We aren't getting any younger, right?"

And then she laughed. And I swear she sounded exactly like the wicked witch of the west. Looks a lot like her too, except not as green.


She just happened to get me on a bad day. Instead of my normal "grit my teeth and smile" response, I said, "That's funny, (name redacted). I was thinking you must have lost all your manners, but then I realized you never had any."

And then I laughed. And she laughed. And we both smiled big toothy smiles while hating on each other.

But I bet anything that she will never make another comment about my weight again.

24 comments:

JJ said...

Oh Asians. Over the years I've developed a thick skin about the weight comments. Whatever; I can run 6 miles in under an hour. Can they?

PJD said...

Now I know what to say to you if we ever actually manage to meet in person. "Oh! Ellen! You look like you need to lose some weight, huh."

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

You know, I have a really thick skin from hearing it all the time, but every once in awhile, a particular person will really get to me and I'll just have a bit of a flip out. But, um, I can barely run a mile...

Ah Pete! I'd forgive you, but only after I'd wiped the floor clean with your butt. just kidding. maybe. ;o)

PJD said...

But... now I know I can run faster than you.

Angie said...

LOL! Go Ellen! :D

Angie

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

I can't run fast in a marathon - but I sprint remarkably fast for short distances and rage would give me enough of an endorphin to catch you. And if I didn't? I'm really good at hunting... he he

T.D. McFrost said...

I'm glad you stood up for yourself. Your book will soon be published and you will be attending events and the like where some truly 'big heads' will be abound. Being a pushover will only cause you to eat at yourself, because you will contemplate the reason you held your tongue when they deserved the blast.

I love what you said to her - score ten points for badass Ellen! LOL.

Charles Gramlich said...

If I ever meet you I will simply say a meek hello.

Jacqueline Kirk said...

Well done! Sometimes it's just good to let it out once in a while! Lol!

JKB said...

XD

I'm with Charles.

*meep*

Lori M. Lee said...

LOL Asians. How many times has this happened to me with my distant relations? lol. Except it was sort of in reverse... I had gained a bunch of weight right after my pregnancy and relatives I didn't even know told me "You're pretty now that you're fuller!"

Um. Thanks... lol.

And good for you standing up for yourself :D

Ellen Booraem said...

Good for you, Ello! Not just Asians, though. I think I remember JK Rowling telling a story about someone she hadn't seen in a long time approaching her and making a big deal about how much weight she'd lost and how great she looked. She thought (my paraphrase), "Since I saw you last I've had two more children and published a series of best-selling novels, and THIS is what you compliment me on?"

Laurel said...

YAY ELLEN! If more people would respond like that fewer people would say such things.

jjdebenedictis said...

What a bizarre woman. You handled it better than I would have.

Patti said...

weight you can lose, ugly not so much...

Bish Denham said...

Oh good for you to put it right back in her face!

Jeanne Ryan (Serenissima) said...

OMG, thanks for the laugh!

C.R. Evers said...

OMG! I think I would cry if someone said that to me! I only wish I would be able to say what you said. You go girl! She deserved it.

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

It's true - Asians are so bad about this! The other day, I'm at a restaurant eating dinner and the owner, who knows me, comes up and tells me I need to lose some weight! I'm like - I'm eating in your restaurant and you are telling me to lose weight? For real?!!!

But see - in their cases, they really aren't trying to be rude. They just can't help themselves.

Kristen Simmons said...

This is hilarious. Sorry. But it's hilarious.

Kimbra Kasch said...

Can hardly believe someone would say such a thing...

Angela Williams Duea said...

Wow, I can never think of a comeback until about 6 hours later...

Thu said...

First time follower. Love your blog so far!:) And loved the comment you made back. Can totally relate. Might suggest your story to my mom. She is already complaining about her sister-in-law whom we're about to see when we go to Cali to visit relatives. And my aunt apparently says the rudest things ever to my mom, and apparently about me as well. Can't figure if it's just an Asian cultural thing, or if she's really malicious...

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