To Explain? Or Not To Explain?
The DL


The situation was not unusual. I walked into the shared bathroom at work and she was there. Yep. The dreaded "she". The woman who just asks way too many personal questions, when all I want to do is my business and get back to work.

Usually her questions are more along the lines of, "Where did you get your dress?" or "How do you get your hair like that?"

Not today though. I was going through my daily totals in my pump in the bathroom, and she caught me, pump in hand, tubing down my dress. In her very odd accent, "OOO What is that?"

The question...the question that although doesn't change, my answers does. If I'd rather just move on in my life, I say it's an Mp3 player. My office shares this bathroom with a dentist's office, so I assumed she would know what an insulin pump was was I answered as if she knew....

"It's an insulin pump."

"Oh...you have diabetes?"

"Yep."

"Oh, so you can't eat anything?!?! But you look so healthy."

OH LORD. Nope. Can't do it today. Normally, I am all for education, but not in the bathroom and not with her.

"I was born with it. It's an autoimmune disease." As I ran out the door. I didn't even get to use the bathroom. I'm not sure why she drove me so crazy. But now I dread going to the bathroom at work, because I wonder if I'll run into her again."

Part of me feels bad that I didn't take the time to explain, but part of me is still more upset about the way she made me feel. That look of sympathy that makes my stomach turn, and the way that from now on every time I run into her, I bet she brings it up.

Do I explain later? Do I never use the bathroom again??

To add to my day...

I felt a little funny, and I knew it was low blood sugar...tested 60...hmm ok.

Plan of action, got the juice from my desk and started to feel better. Moved on with my day. Come after lunch, I'm ready to test...wait...where is my meter??? I SEARCHED EVERYWHERE!!!!

And then...


Yep. At the very bottom. I have no idea how it got there.

Thank you low blood sugar...
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5 Responses
  1. Alyssa Says:
    August 18, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    Ooh, I HATE not knowing where I put things when I'm low. Just the other night, I was recovering from a low and looking for the remote everywhere. Couldn't find it-even between the couch cushions and in the kitchen (yeah, I know it's weird to look there but it's happened before). Where did I find it? Next to my meter when I tested to make sure I was coming up! (Right on the couch, where I started looking in the first place.)

    Now, about HER.

    I absolutely abhor that look you get for sympathy. Whether it's from a medical condition or my family's situation (single father raising two teenaged girls), I can't STAND it, and I usually tell off whoever it careless enough to trip up on it. It's a sore spot with me. And there are some people who bother me when they ask questions more than others, too.

    I'd say that you should do your best to keep conversations with her short. Answer her questions, but tersely, with one-word answers, if possible. Make sure she sees you're busy or in a hurry (even if you're not). I doubt she'll get the hint, but at least you won't have to put up with her for very long. (This is the best technique I have come up with for all the "Her"s in my world.)


  2. Scully Says:
    August 19, 2011 at 3:44 AM

    I probably would have reacted the same way. But I can be a real bitch in public. If I don't want to talk to someone, especially someone that annoys the hell out of me, I would have done the same thing.
    Sometimes we just don't feel like having a pity party. No harm done dude. You don't owe her anything. Next time, when you're in a better mood (and not in a public bathroom) I'm sure you'll be more apt to give her a basic rundown.


  3. Anonymous Says:
    August 19, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    I'm sorry you had that frustrating experience. She actually asked if you couldn't eat anything??? What a doofus.

    Here are some of my suggestions:

    1. "No hablo ingles."
    2. "I'm very contagious. Please step away."
    3. "Oh no! Please go find Nancy* and tell her to come in here, quick!" *any name that no one has on your floor.
    or
    4. "Actually I'm a recreational drug user. I prefer continuous intravenous consumption."

    Love,
    Andy


  4. Holly Says:
    August 21, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    Oh gosh. I would've done the same-maybe you could type up a memo for her? : ) Avoid the conversation altogether? ; )


  5. Meagan Says:
    August 27, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    So glad you found your meter! Scary feeling for sure.

    Oooh boy, I swear EVERY office has one of "those" people. While I loved Andy's suggestions...esp #4...LOL, I would suggest just telling her once and for all that it is very PERSONAL and you aren't comfortable discussing it with her. She should stop asking (hopefully!) after that. Good luck!!! :)


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