Talk talk

Some times, the things you do come back around in an odd way.

This past weekend, a friend shared with me that a former acquaintance had been "bothered" by how I handled a goodbye to my former LCS. This person seemed to think I was "enjoying it too much" and that I was gratuitously hurting someone's feelings.

Not true, from my point of view. I was extraordinarily uncomfortable about the circumstances and found the necessity of going back to the store--after I'd made a rather final exit--to be darkly humorous. It probably didn't come off that way. But nevertheless, it bothered someone... and I guess they are still talking or thinking about it.

You know what? It doesn't matter.

The person who was bothered by what I did never bothered to talk with me about it. Instead, a friend took the risky step of passing along what others were apparently gossiping about (months after the fact), to let me know. While I appreciate their willingness to take that chance, it isn't precisely a teaching moment for me because:

a. the person upon whom I supposedly inflicted harm (or this person's friend, the nameless gossip) never addressed me about it; and
b. what, I'm supposed to listen to or be schooled by some nameless gossip?

No.

That's what separates a friend from an acquaintance, IMO. A friend takes a chance on telling you something you might not want to hear; an acquaintance-- especially one that doesn't mean you well-- gossips about it behind your back.

I can tell you which of the two I'd prefer to hang out with.