Miss Bibi’s Lessons in Diplomacy: Polite Dinner Conversation
Saturday night, a restaurant in the DC Suburbs. John and I were invited to a dinner party for some friends of ours whom we hadn’t seen in some time. As we entered the dining room I noticed my friend’s sister sitting at the table several pounds thinner and sporting a very cute, short haircut. We beamed, exclaiming “oh, it’s so good to see you” and kissed everyone on both cheeks (because for some unknown reason we become Eurotrash in social settings.)
Me (to Friend’s sister): You look fabulous! I love what you’ve done with your hair!
Friend’s sister: (with a quizzical look on her face) Thanks?
Me: No, really… you’ve never looked better!
Friend’s sister: Didn’t Deb tell you?
Me: Tell me what?
Friend’s sister: I had breast cancer. I lost a ton of weight and all my hair to chemo and radiation. It only started growing in a couple of months ago.
Me: Fuck.
Awww, sounds like she was just trying to make you feel bad. She should have just graciously accepted your heartfelt compliment, regardless of how she got there! The time for bringing up the cancer would have been if you said “You have GOT to tell me how you did it!”
Devilish Southern Belle
March 3, 2008 at 7:43 pm
OMG, that is SO something I would say!
Friglet
March 4, 2008 at 1:55 am
Haha!! It’s not really funny, but yet, it is!
Toryssa
March 4, 2008 at 10:45 am
awwww I have alot of foot in my mouth convo’s but, I agree with the first comment, she sounded like she was trying to make you feel bad, she should have given that answer if you asked “you must give me your secret!”. Very funny though classic moment of shit…
Ana
March 5, 2008 at 2:16 am