Hey, life? Are you kidding me?

Don't Take it Personal?

Don't take it personal?

Positively, one of the stupidest phrases used.

First of all, it isn't even correct grammar which immediately makes me squirm - Don't take it personally! Personally being an adverb modifying how or in this case how not to 'take' it. Follows an action verb - all the clues are there.

Anyway, besides grammatically-challenged, the very act of versing it is going to make me take it personally. I mean, you are speaking to me about something that was said or done to me (aka a person). How should I take it?

All she said was she didn't like that color on you. Don't take it personal.

Hmmmm. . . How should I take it? As a personal offense to the color? Perhaps a verbal attack on a particular color of our blessed spectrum of shades? Umm. . . and she did add the words 'on you'. So, I basically ruin that color? That's a lot of power to have, way too much responsibility. Besides, personally I think it was a bitchy thing to say. Unless of course, I asked - which I wouldn't. Or if she was my colorist - which I can't even fathom having.

Anyway, enough of that. Am I the only one that has people in my life that I daily want to say 'Do you realize you really just said that aloud?" Well, there is one particular person that wins the prize for this in my life - I work with her, so it's not like I choose to see her everyday.

Here are a few examples:

(Upon hearing I was getting married - both my fiance' and I have been married before)

"Oh, so you are the consolation bride."

Lunchroom:

"How can you eat cheese all the time? Don't you know it will stop you up?"
(Seriously, no one has asked about my b.m.'s since my obsessive grandmother when i was about 4.)

"Were you running late this morning? I mean did you have time to assess that blouse and skirt combination?"

"Being a single mom must be sort of freeing. . . and saves money come to think of it - only 2 mouths to feed. You are so lucky."

I could go on but I'm getting the urge to punch someone and I'm the only one here so that would be somewhat counterproductive.

Bottom line: If you don't want me to take it personally - think before you speak or say something wonderful about me - I'll take that personally too.

Personally, I love to write,

Audra