Mean people are mean

A few years ago my mom told me a story about myself at a young age.  When I was in elementary school and middle school I always took my lunch.  Every morning I would wake up and make my own lunch, seriously, EVERY morning.  Now I remember doing this, but didn't have a clue that there was a reason behind it.  Well my mom told me that I told her that I did it because I was scared of dropping my lunch tray and everyone looking at me.  I can totally see me saying this.  I hate being the center of attention and drawing attention to myself.  I am more of a color commentator rather than a play-by-play kind of person (to use a sports-type analogy).  

Well, coming home from DC on Friday, I was on the ATL to TLH leg of my flight and this old man totally humiliated me.  Back story: I am a tall person, if you have ever met me you most certainly know this.  Well on most airplanes my knees always touch the seat in front of me, I have no choice in this matter.  Now the story: apparently, this old man's precious little wife (grrr!) complained to her husband that I was "kicking her seat" and so he turned around and kind of loudly (and quite curtly and surly) asked me to stop kicking his wife's chair.  Well, lets see...I am not 10, I have manners, and I AM TALL.  So I was not kicking her chair, merely moving my legs (heaven forbid!).  Unfortunately I was in shock and too mortified to say anything (if you have ever seen "You've Got Mail" and Meg Ryan's character makes the comment about never thinking of a good 'zing' when someone says something to her, this is how I felt), plus it was an old man and I do have respect for people.  But I was totally humiliated and mortified (not exaggerating).  The old man said it loud enough that everyone looked at me, and plus being publicly rebuked is not the most fun ever, either.  So I basically did not move the rest of the flight and just stared out the window, willing myself not to cry.

But, when we landed and I was talking to my friend I just started crying.  So congratulations Mr. Crotchety Old Man and Wife, you made a 30 year old cry.

I would like to think I am over it, but I am not.