Here we can all be heard for a little while. Part 2

codemonkey

It's a really good friend. We meet up every couple of months but I haven't seen her since summer. I'm going to have to go aren't I? It's annoying because I really need a new winter coat (just noticed my old one has a huge rip under the arm) and won't be able to buy one til payday if I go as I've made a start on my Christmas shopping. I have a big family and even if I only buy for the kids, its still a lot. And I've had 5 kids birthdays this month. Grrr. Beans on toast it is then.

A lot of families around here are celebrating Diwali and their houses are all lit up with fairy lights. It's very pretty.

mellymoo74

Apparently I need to be out more the kids are chasing wrestling and cleaning each other so I am not needed

Waves_and_Smiles

Hugs, Pyxis. I think I said before that, that person sounded rather manipulative the last time, you are probably correct that she has problems in her own life but there is no excuse to make others feel bad to try to make herself feel better. You likely are correct that jealousy is part of it, you are a very helpful, obviously kind and caring person who others like being around. To someone who doesn't like themselves very much and is feeling bitter about their life that alone can be quite a threat and something to envy. I know it is difficult but try to carry on as you always have, this is very much her problem and not yours, and it wouldn't help her or you if you were to change the way you usually interact. Have another hug.

Pyxis

Thanks WaSsie!:A



Code....
You are short of money at the moment due to Christmas.
You need a new coat.

You disagree with the principle of party selling and see it as a scam.
You also disagree with the fact that it survives by feeding off the goodwill of friends and family.
You know that the products are overpriced compared with retail outlets.
You don't want or need the products.
The cheapest thing would be £25 and you really don't want to pay it.


Don't go!
However, she is your friend, so it would be important to have a chat with her and tell her all these things. Plus to warn her that, while she might do well initially, with friends and family, they aren't going to keep buying stuff month after month, so it will get a lot harder to maintain her income through it.

You are also her friend, so she should be able to understand and appreciate your reasons for not wanting to buy anything, or even to support what you see as a 'scam'/pyramid system.

Many years ago, when I was in my twenties, I had a friend who was a smoker. I was very anti-smoking.
I was about to go on a very rare holiday abroad, and knowing I didn't smoke, she asked me if I would get her my duty-free allowance of cigarettes. She would give me the money.
Hmmm. I was very anti-smoking, to the extent that even with someone else's money, I felt very, very loth to be a party to buying any, and thereby induce ill-health in her. But she was my friend. What to do?

In the end, the moral decision won. When I told her why I couldn't, yes, she was annoyed. But she phoned me later to say that, on reflection, she did understand, and she did admire me for sticking to my principles.

Waves_and_Smiles

Ahem...so I'm a bit drunk. The day didn't go to plan at all but it was fun! By the time we got to the beach it was pouring down so we sat in the car and watched the waves, not much else to do really! We decided to drive around for a while and ended up driving past a John Lewis in the middle of nowhere that had banners outside advertising their Christmas department opening for card holders, of which I happen to be one. It was 15 minutes to closing so on the spur of the moment I asked WaSp to check how busy it was. There were 3 people in the Christmas section plus a few staff, and the customers there were paying for goods and leaving!

So being all brave and stuff today the blanket went over my head and off I trotted into the store. Because life hates me at this moment the nerve in my neck decided not to cooperate so not only couldn't I lift my right arm, it started shaking like a leaf. Just imagine the vision of a woman snuggled under a blanket approaching a store with a dropped shoulder and violently shaking arm....

They took my card number at the door whilst looking rather worried and WaSp blurted "She's disabled!" which almost made me crack up laughing. At that point I was immediately sat at a at a very expensive showroom table on a very expensive showroom chair and brought a mince pie and a glass of champagne which turned out to be a freebie for everyone attending. As WaSp was driving I drank his, too! We had a quick look around the department which was gorgeous and sparkly before being stopped by a manager and asked if we would like more champagne and mince pies as it was the end of the day and they were going to throw them away. So I had another two large glasses and two more mince pies sitting on a different display table amongst the Christmas decorations. By this point the blanket was over my arm and I was feeling rather warm and happy, all the other customers had left. We had a last look at the Christmas tree display and headed towards the exit where a sales assistant was clearing a display of samples of Irish Cream she had left over and asked if we wanted to try them, yep had two of those as well.

We ended up staying until 8.30, half an hour past closing and they didn't hassle us at all, quite the opposite. Instead the alcohol and mince pies kept arriving! Full marks to them for being absolutely lovely, now I had better have a coffee!

tea_lover

Well that would not be my number one Beatles song!

tea_lover

Ooh John Lewis night sounds great!!

codemonkey

That sounds great WaS. Being brave has rewards :j. Yay for mince pies and champers.

I like John Lewis. Wherever you go, it's always the same.

Pyxis

WaS how do you do it!

Everywhere you go, you have people at your beck and call, bringing you goodies, laying out the red carpet, and treating you like a Queen! :rotfl::rotfl:

I think you're a fairy in human form, and you spellbind them! :rotfl:


TipsyWaS! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Are your others tipsy as well? You could have a party!

So, no fish and chips then?


Tea, what was the verdict?

Waves_and_Smiles

It was unexpected but it was a lot of fun! I certainly wasn't expecting to have glasses of champagne thrown at me today. Plus now I get to tease WaSp forever for blurting his "She's disabled!" comment in a panic. The blanket part didn't phase him but he said the arm shaking was so bad that it looked like I was having a stroke to him and he was worried someone was going to call an ambulance and not sure whether he should!

Hahahaha! I am just magic, Pyxis! Really, the state of me when I turned up made them worry so I got special service and people tucking my chair for me and asking if I needed anything. The funny thing is when the nerve in my neck is compressed that much it doesn't hurt at all, it just goes totally numb. It looks far worse than it feels, but they were absolutely lovely.