Friday, June 22, 2007

White lies

If you ask me how job hunting goes, my standard answer is, "The same. I don't want to talk about it." It's the answer I gave my Dad today, when he asked me FOUR times in the space of seven minutes, how job hunting was going. My Mum knows better, and avoids asking me because she knows the question upsets me. My Dad, I inherited his stubborness. So he was quite peeved when I politely refused to talk about it and eventually, I just had to be downright blunt and quit chatting to him online.

I would like to think, that I'm the sort of person who's always straight up with you (the anonymous reader, the caring friend, the coffee buddy, etc). If you ask me how I'm doing, I'm assuming you cared enough to want to know the truth, and that's why you asked. So if I'm having a sh*t day, I'm going to tell you, "I've had better days," and leave it at that. We don't have to talk about it, I don't want to rant about it, and I'm not going to lie to you. I'm not going to say, "OOOH, GREAT! Just WUN-DER-BAR!" Which is what Babsy expects me to answer regardless of how I'm actually feeling :P But, why Babsy? Why do I have to lie to family and friends about such a trivial thing? Does it make you feel better that you asked, and I answered appropriately? Does it relieve you of your friend duties? :) Small chit chat makes people comfortable?

I hate job hunting. With a passion. I've had 10 different jobs in my career. Well, okay, my first job was as a 14 year old helping little old ladies find the right colour yarn in a dusty craft store. Anyways, you'd think job hunting gets easier. However, as a contractor, it doesn't. For the past week, my mornings were spent applying for a multitude of jobs, answering some random phone calls from useless agents, and coping with radio silence from agents for jobs that I _do_ want. Does that sound like something I'd like to spend time talking about? It makes me sad, it makes me depressed. I _know_ I'm capable. All it takes is a chance to prove it.

I'm not going to lie and say, "Everything's dreamy," when it's not. I'd just rather not talk about it. I believe there are better things to talk about, and that particular subject just makes me mopey. I'm sure my flatmate B will vouch for my mood swing when the subject comes up :P

Would you rather I lie to you? Is there a better way for me to respond? I won't hate you for asking, but you're not going to make me talk about something I don't want to talk about. I like taking the shortest path, but if you'd rather I spend an extra 10-15 mins making you feel alright about me not wanting to talk about certain subjects, let me know. I'll help you build that bridge *grin*

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

huh!!! I didnt say lie and say everythings just WONDERFUL!! I just said maybe you should say 'yes fine thanks' and move on... a more non-commital answer than one like 'I dont want to talk about'.. which sounds so.. blunt. ;p

kiss kiss
Babs

reenie said...

Shortest path :P Everything's not fine, and you asked!

JookBoy said...

As someone who spent 4 months looking for a job, parents who ask questions suck ass! The spending whilst unemployed, as opposed to employed, is a worry.

The other thing that helps is if someone else is unemployed at the same time like Kevvy was for me. It makes it not as bad, as you can swap war stories, and dream of other job that you could do instead e.g. Coyote Ugly style bar waitressing!

Good luck with it Reenie! :)