The View from a Drawbridge

Tag: polite

  • Are You Sure?

    From a recent conversation: Me: “I need someone from maintenance to come out and remove some car parts from the middle of my drawbridge, as they are backing up traffic.” “Um… That drawbridge is no longer in our system.” “Er, yes it is. I think you’re thinking of the Montlake Bridge.” “Are you sure?” “Yes,…

  • Standing in My Integrity

    I once stayed in a 16-year relationship because I didn’t want to hurt the guy’s feelings. Like most women, I’ve been trained since childhood to put everyone ahead of myself. And I’m good at it. Too good. Some things never change. I came across this article about a school in Utah where the little girls…

  • A New Take on the Seattle Freeze

    Moving to Seattle is the best thing I’ve ever done. I love it here. I’m fairly sure I’ll never completely fit in, though. But then, I don’t suppose I did in Florida, either. After being confused by mixed signals for a couple months, I finally learned about the Seattle Freeze. In one blog entry, before…

  • Actually, No.

    Here’s the thing. (Yes, there’s always a thing.) I was raised to be a good girl. My default position is to respect authority. Be cooperative. Don’t make waves. Accommodate others. And above all, always, always be polite. Well, you know what? Fuck that. All those values are great if everyone is playing by the golden…

  • Age Hath Its Privileges

    Many years ago, I was standing with my niece and nephew in their Missouri kitchen. As we talked, I got the orange juice out of the refrigerator to pour myself a glass. Just then my brother-in-law walked in and snapped, “Who left the refrigerator door open???” The tension level in that room was palpable. My…

  • How to Piss Off a Bridgetender

    I have spent a great deal of time writing about how much I love my job. I really do. I swear I do. Just… not today. Perhaps it’s because we are marinating in the last, bitter dregs of the holiday season, and everyone is getting cranky. Perhaps I’m the bitter one, because everyone is out…

  • Better Words for Women

    One of my regular readers challenged me recently after reading my post, All in a Huff over Vocabulary Reserved for Women. She asked me to come up with alternate vocabulary—words that weren’t disparaging or downright insulting. I think that’s an excellent idea. Challenge accepted! For example: How about passionate instead of easy, asking for it,…

  • Another Story-The Hardest Thing to Say

    Whenever possible, I attend a monthly storytelling group here in Seattle called Fresh Ground Stories. Each month it has a theme, and this month’s was “The Hardest Thing to Say”. I decided to tell a story about how hard it has been to remain dignified and polite in the world of internet dating. You can…

  • Bully for You, Maybe, but not for Me

    Bully for You, Maybe, but not for Me

    I am done with curling up in a ball.

  • When She’s Just Not into You

    I have this coworker who doesn’t like me. I don’t know why. I’ve tried to figure it out for years. I suppose I could come right out and ask, but what would be the point? It would just open me up to insults, and her mind is already made up. She is the type of…