Did You Just Shhh Me?
I got asked that last night for the second time since I’ve been here. My answer was a stare down with a strong “yes”. This time, there wasn’t the laughter and surprise that accompanied the first one. But it was still effective.
I’ll tell you why, too. (I knew you were just dying to know.)
When someone is used to having most people in their life go along with whatever they say and not question them, or when they feel you’re merely there to nod along appreciatively and look adoringly at them, sometimes the best thing they can hear is “shhh!” or “no”.
It was not done out of disrespect. In fact, it was done with a great deal of respect and it was also done to help extract someone’s foot from their mouth. It also served to play up a particular personality trait that serves my friend quite well professionally. And yes, we were in the middle of a professional setting, where a job offer may potentially be coming his way. It was a very tense moment or two as we stared each other down and I smiled kindly and turned my attention back to the gentleman who could be making an offer in the near future.
Said gentleman looked at us curiously. Buster excused himself and went to talk to someone else. I could see the steam coming from his ears for minute or two. Said gentleman continued to look back and forth at us. Curious. And that’s what I wanted.
He asked, “he doesn’t like to be told no or told to be quiet does he?” I replied, “frankly, no, he doesn’t. But sometimes he needs to hear it. We all do.” Said gentleman mumbled something about, “well, if my wife said…” and I looked at him curiously. I asked if that’s really true. He admitted that it wasn’t. Then he began asking me more about B. This was exactly what I knew would happen. And I was prepared to talk up my friend in a way he couldn’t even begin to do himself without coming across as arrogant. I knew what I was doing.
This is why I shhh’d him.
It’s kind of awesome to be able to do that. The talking up part. And the shushing.
For the record, I get shushed too. We all should be from time to time.
Wish I had that talent.
Comment by diamond dave — 2009/12/01 @ 18:43
I need friends like that…
Comment by Kevin — 2009/12/01 @ 20:48
Sssssshhhhhhhhhhhh.
Just kidding! I had to do it.
Comment by Jason — 2009/12/01 @ 21:59
Oh, I’ve been shushed plenty. And I usually deserve it. I’m cool with it.
Wish I could say that every shush works. It doesn’t. But there are times when it’s totally appropriate. I aim for as many of those moments as I can.
I’ll be quiet now.
Comment by DaGoddess — 2009/12/01 @ 22:23
I’ve done that to Arthur on a very few occasions and vice versa. Sometimes it just needs to be done!
Comment by Pam — 2009/12/02 @ 06:48
Most often, the Shhhhhhh’s I get end with it.
Comment by Stu — 2009/12/02 @ 07:48
I’ll shh you in the morning. I’ll shh you in the evening. I’ll shh you all week long. But don’t you ever try to shh me if I’m talking about chocolate.
Comment by DaGoddess — 2009/12/02 @ 08:57
Smart woman.
Comment by Theresa — 2009/12/02 @ 16:52
i don’t get shhushed. i get kicked in the shins.
Comment by patti — 2009/12/02 @ 16:58