Even though I'm pretty thick skinned I have experienced embarrassment. I can make a very dumb mistake. I can say something that can be misinterpreted. I can misinterpret something and my response is to be embarrassed.
I think some people suffer embarrassment much more than others. I find that if I'm quick enough to catch on to an embarrassing situation the easier it is to survive. I can admit or acknowledge that I've done something embarrassing. As a guy, my fly is sometimes left down. If I happen to be lucky and somebody reminds me a quick comment of oops and thanks for the reminder gets me by. If I discover the situation myself, then I wonder how many stares I have missed and suffer embarrassment alone.
This week my partner embarrassed me. My partner asked me to pick up a book for her from the library. She's been reading James Herriot books lately and asked me to find one she hadn't read. She met me at the library and I had one book picked out but she had read it. There were a couple more on the list that we looked for and couldn't find. I asked and was informed that they were in the children's section.
Well, my partner just had to go to the children's section as she thought maybe she would find something suitable. We found one book and then asked where the other two were located. We were informed that they were picture books but the librarian insisted that we look at them. She insisted that she liked picture books and that my partner would enjoy the book. Well, guess what? My partner decided to take the kid's book!
So I said ,"How am I going to check this thing out? People will think that the old guy has regressed into his second childhood." So for this I can be humorous and joke about it. I suppose I could say that it's to read to a grandchild.
Now I've know the librarian who talked to us for a long time. My daughter had a job at the library during high school and worked for Laural. I was on the library board and Laural was an excellent children's librarian.
Now Laurel is also an accomplished writer of children's books. She writes picture books.
So you see that there is a connection to the event that took place. It was not embarrassing but a lot of good fun.
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yes, always use the kids or grandkids as cover. :)
ReplyDeleteUsually I don't mind things and carry on.
DeleteI'd sure the grandchild excuse too. LOL
ReplyDeleteI really miss the library system in Illinois. The library was HUGE and well funded. The kids section was amazing. I'm glad my granddaughter is enjoying it. Here is Hawaii, not so good. Sigh. I do like the Kindle books I can get though. Has your partner watched the All Creatures Great and Small series?
For the size of us we have a very nice library.
DeleteIt is donkeys years since I read James Herriot . I must re-read one.
ReplyDeleteI've read three or for and they were a good read.
DeleteI'm laughing because I have done a similar thing except I have looked the librarian or "writer at book signing" in the eye and said it was for me and then smiled.......andpause.....and then...... "what's your first name please"? :)
ReplyDeleteyou certainly caught their attention and got it away from you. Pretty sneaky!
DeleteI see more fun than embarrassment in this story!
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right. Embarrassment has a little more anxiety that this.
DeleteI enjoy reading children's books occasionally. They are light and uplifting.
ReplyDeleteAt age 15 my daughter worked in the children's section of the library. I asked her if she read the books. She said yes , at 15 I see more things from the story.
DeleteI like Tex's suggestion, which I thought of, too! I love your self-deprecating humour!
ReplyDeleteI did not have that type of humor until my forties.
Deletechecking out a children's book would embarrass you? Boy do you lead a soft life! You could say it was for the grandchild or next door neighbor's kid or that you were writing a children's book...or like me, say it looked like a good read.
ReplyDeleteI was poking fun at my partner and the librarian. I also wanted her to get and adult book.
DeleteI sometimes enjoy picture books. I recently finished a memoir by a cartoonist (Roz Chast) that tells of her parents as they grew old and died. It is really good and made me want to read more books like hers. No embarrassment here. :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree that there can be picture books for adults. The novel written in cartoon form is becoming more popular.
DeleteI try to keep one eye on my husbands fly...so he isn't embarrassed...after all these years if I make the zipping up motion he knows what the problem is! About the books..yes you could be reading to little kids:)
ReplyDeleteWell, at our age nothing should embarrass us!!!
DeleteWe all suffer embarrassment at one time or other. But I think using the grandkids as a cover is a fine idea! LOL
ReplyDeleteAs long as we don't dwell on the embarrassment we're OK.
DeleteI can imagine which of those books you'd pick up- my mother had a couple of Herriot children's books as well as other works by him.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how they can adapt books to suit different ages. When my Dad lost his sight he enjoyed talking books.
DeleteInteresting Red that you may be embarrassed to check out a children's book, I'd do it in a heartbeat and more than likely add "It's for my granddaughter" ... good cover! lol
ReplyDeleteI do agree that there are some amazing picture books out there today.
DeleteLike you I don't embarrass easily and I don't think that would have embarrassed me but the things that I can recall that did are things I'd rather not share just now!
ReplyDeleteyes, it's not good to go over and dwell on embarrassing moments.
DeleteI like the "it's for my grandkids" excuse myself! I also like to color and for that I don't apologize or get embarrassed. That was the best part of teaching 1st graders.
ReplyDeleteTeaching first graders is the best. I had three first graders when I taught in the old country school.
DeleteSome of my favorite books are children's books. I wouldn't be embarrassed to check them out at the library.
ReplyDeleteSome of the art in children's books is first class.
DeleteHi Red, That's a neat story. Somewhat related, I was recently reading about the traits that distinguish humans from other species. One is blushing. Now I wonder if humans are the only species that gets embarrassed.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite book was a children's book. Can't remember the name but it was about a boy who ran away from home and lived in the bottom of a big hollow tree. Here's the thing. When I was still employed as a secretary, one of the designers checked this book out and brought it to me, thinking I would enjoy reading it. I didn't know whether or not to be offended. I think she simply knew how much I loved the outdoors and meant no harm. I really enjoyed the book.
ReplyDeleteIf I were in line behind you at the check-out, I would just think your grandchildren were coming to visit! I've always loved James Herriot's books, too.
ReplyDeleteI love to read. I remember once when I was at the library.
ReplyDeleteI took out like 20 books that is when they allowed you. all subjects. As she was tamping them all. Then the librarian said to me. Have you read Sex in the city. I was so embarrassed.