A Friendly-Looking Couple Was Walking By My Driveway

Preface for Context

You probably shouldn’t laugh at other people’s suffering, unless you’re a sadistic sociopath and that’s what you do, but it is okay to laugh at this story. Let me explain.

I will often recount experiences in an intentionally funny way, to elicit laughter. It’s natural for me. It’s why my junior high yearbook notes said “have a good summer – and if I don’t see you in high school, good luck with your comedian career”. Comedy was my first serious career intention.

I’ve unfortunately lost a few friends over the years for my choice to use comedy in this way, but I’m about half a century old at this point, and I remain firm that, when used as I am doing here, comedy can be effective – effective in sharing our stories, being who we are without apology, reducing stigma, and helping keep my own frustration short lived, all wrapped up in one process. So.

The Story Itself

I was in the driveway last month, and a friendly-looking couple was walking by. They smiled. I made it weird. This is how that went down.

• Me: (smiling) Hi
• Woman: (smiling) Hello
• Me: (said quickly) Nice day fa da wak!
• Woman: (looking puzzled) Sorry?
• Me: (literally same only louder) NICE DAY FA DA WAK!
• Woman: (scurrying away, saying nothing)
• Me: (thinking…then yelling after her) Oh! I’m from Boston! I think I said that in Boston! So you don’t know what I just said! (she is now very far away. Yes I’m still yelling, certain I can fix this, now saying all the consonants and Midwest vowels) It’s a nice day for the walk….right? Because it’s warm… And two days ago it was a blizzard… And now it’s not a blizzard… 😊
• Woman (yeah, I have no idea what she’s thinking at this point, as she’s gone)

There is no great life lesson, moral or take-away. I’m just sharing in case it’s relatable. Does anyone relate? 

Want to discuss this topic? There is a thread about it on the facebook page.