DONT ASK
Where Have You Been?
Its been crazy lately. Getting used to this one post a day sh*t still has not sunk in. In any case I was recently reminded of an infamous and often annoying question…
“Where have you been?”
This very question has caused me to avoid far too many stores. I HATE when after a hiatus I go into a store and the person who works there asks “Where have you been?” even worse when they expect an answer or they go on about “long time no see.” Its oh so annoying and I typically don’t feel like I should have to go in on why I haven’t been back. If I did then I would be rude. Also typically after getting their guilt trip I avoid those places altogether.
For example there’s a Starbucks in my office building. I used to be a habitual patron. That shit is crack. I stopped going for the most part when I switched to green tea again and one day I wandered in to get that very question. Ugh!
The only thing worse than that third degree is when a friend or someone you are talking to give you the “Where have you been?,” or “Hey Stranger” line. The guilt trip is not the way to get someone to want to see or speak to you more frequently. Please believe. If I feel that our next interaction is going to begin with a nag, or guilt trip then I may feel inclined to pass. If you want to speak or see me more frequently then just engage or initiate that interaction.
So yes, if we have not spoken it was probably for a reason. Possibly one that may not even have anything to do with you. Other than that perhaps your “where have you been” third degree was not well received.
please advise me as to whether or not the following fall under the same umbrella of annoyance you’ve described above:
* What’cha been up to?
* How’ve you been?
* What’ve you been doing with yourself?
* Long time no see/hear from….
* Where’ve you been hiding?
* How’s it going?
All of the phrases I’ve listed get on my last nerve. Thing is, if you really wanted to know all of/any of these things, then our interaction would be frequent enough that you WOULD know all these things. If you haven’t been kept in my love loop, don’t elbow your way back in with what is essentially small talk. There are few things I hate more in life than small talk; reading over my shoulder or pedophiles being among those things.
thatbytchy'alllovetohate
20 Feb 10 at 5:35 am