Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Why ask?

I am someone who is naturally curious. I enjoy learning about different things. Consequently, I ask a lot of questions and usually receive a lot of answers to those questions. When I ask questions, I want honest and correct responses. So, I would expect someone to want the same of me. Apparently, that is not always the case.

Why ask me a question if I'm not going to give you the answer you WANT to hear? Have you ever been in this situation? You receive a phone call, exchange polite greetings and then you're asked a question...of course, you give an answer to the best of your ability...only to be told "Oh, well, I'll call (so & so). Truly, I wanted to reach through the phone line and scream "Then why didn't you call her in THE FIRST PLACE????!!" (Rant over--thank you for letting me vent.)

People, I'm sorry. I give honest answers. Is that a problem? Should I just tell you what you want to hear only to find that I was correct in the first place? That seems to be a waste of our collective time. When I don't know the answer, I take the time to find the right answer for your purposes. I offer for your consideration this post. The one in which I was tied up in knots, but I managed to get answers for the people involved. By the way, Dinosaur Rocks! is a definite go for the second graders. Whoo-hoo! I'm thrilled and truly hope the students enjoy the program.

My other PTA responsibility is the Book Fair. My chairperson and I met today and worked on the letter inviting the students and their parents to come "check us out". Scholastic has an entire program in which they offer all sorts of suggestions and assign a sales representative assist in planning and coordinating your fair. This year's theme is "Read Around the World". We have a month and a half to plan, coordinate and line up volunteers to help. Since the students visit during class time, we need volunteers to assist the children in selecting a book (or two) to purchase. I've already made a mental list of people I want to help us with the fair. I'll keep you updated on our progress.

13 comments:

Natalie said...

Joyce - Anne, you and I are made from the same cloth. I HEAR YOU SISTER! Don't let the turkeys get you down.xx♥

Unknown said...

Turkey? Did someone mention Turkey?

Oh, well, anyway - always tell it like it is. Because any other way would not be you. And we like you ... just as you are.

Cookie said...

Can only imagine someone got on your bad side. But I agree with you. Gotta be honest.

Tara R. said...

That is a pet peeve of mine too. That and when they argue with the answer you give.

Joyce-Anne said...

Natalie- Thanks. When she came back to me repeating the answer I already gave her, I refrained from saying, "I told you so."

Lceel- Thank you. I like you the way you are too. I like to think I am diplomatic and honest.

Cookie- Someone annoyed me. That's all. She didn't believe me and it turns out I was right.

Tara- I don't think it's worth the effort of arguing, especially when the person tells you she is going to check with someone else. So, I bite my tongue and let her dig her figure it out for herself. ('Cause I'm usually right.)

Momisodes said...

I'm glad you're the kind of person who tells it like it is. Those are the friends I keep around. Probably why I like you :)

So glad to hear Dinosaur Rocks! is on! Congrats.

Joyce-Anne said...

Momisodes- Thank you. I really do believe in being honest.

Grandy said...

You keep being honest, and true to yourself. People will shop for answers they think they want to hear...but you keep being you, lovely lady. ;)

Joyce-Anne said...

Grandy- You are right, people will shop for answers, especially when they don't get the ones they want to hear.

Holly said...

Hah, we're doing a Scholastic book fair at my son's preschool too.

I have a friend who claims she can be a bit too brutally honest. She says her husband tells her all the time to "be an eight" -- not to go all the way to 10 in being truthful with people. Funny, huh?

What got me in trouble was in my first job out of college, my boss thought I was being insubordinate because when she brought a problem to me, I would try to explain why I did what I did -- something my parents had asked of me. She thought I was being defensive and making excuses, though.

Joyce-Anne said...

HaTOM- Don't kid yourself, Scholastic stands to make a lot of money from these book fairs. Or they wouldn't do them. Meanwhile, perception is part of the problem when dealing with others. I try to remember who I am talking to and gear the conversation in a manner they will understand and not become offended. Which, of course, isn't always easy.

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