Tuesday, January 06, 2009

I can't believe certain things either.

The gym is interesting.

Tonight? For example? A lady who was about sixty or so came and got on the elliptical next to mine.

I try not to ever make judgements on people at the gym because, presumably, we are all there for the same reason. This woman had on more make-up than I would generally wear in a year and I have serious doubts her elliptical was even actually moving, but whatever.

I don't like to chit-chat with people at the gym really, but I'm always pleasant enough. I smiled at her as she climbed upon the machine and I suppose that gave her the invitation to let her freak flag fly. I don't know.

The television was turned to the news and the story was, not surprisingly, about Barack Obama.

We watched in silence for a while and she turned to me and said,

"I never thought I'd see the day that an N-word was in office".


No. Seriously. She said that. But she didn't say "N-word" so much as she ACTUALLY SAID THE WORD.

Now, this woman was about my mother's age and also had no business being such a bitch. Why she felt the need to share her blatant racism with me is still unknown but I figured I could hit her where she would really hurt. So I did.

So I said, "Well, since you are SO OLD I guess that's why you feel that way. Did women even have the right to vote when you were born?"

She made a huffy noise and left the room.
I hummed a little tune and enjoyed the rest of my work-out.


I love the gym sometimes.

39 comments:

SJINCO said...

Oh my god Chick you are my hero! That was awesome! Enough that it made me laugh out loud (but that's something you most generally make me do anyway, so yeah, not worth much). I have no tolerance for ignorant people. I'm glad you don't either. Way to go, I'd high five you if I could!

Angie said...

Wow.

Just. . . wow.

Oh, yeah, and you rock.

Dawn~a~Bon said...

My GOD I cannot believe she said that! But I'm LMAO at your reply.

Frannie said...

oh holy hell!!! I can't believe that!!! I am so proud of you for making her feel like the idiot she is!!!

notsosmallfries said...

Holy crap. She did not. Just no.


You, are awesomeness for your response. I'm so impressed with your quick thinking. I'm always so stunned when people pull crap like this that I can't come up with a coherent response.

Patiently waiting said...

Wow! You rock for that!

Anonymous said...

Just know that one of these days she's going to open her fly trap to the wrong person.

Perhaps a person with a gun.

Anonymous said...

I love your come-backs. I could never think of something that good to say in the moment. I'd have stood there in shock, unable to figure out what the hell to say in response.

I need to start using the gym for material on my blog. If I do, just know, I am totally copying you.

Roxanne said...

Seriously. Can I hang out with you sometime? I always think of good comebacks about 3 days after the fact. You're on a roll, baby!

Coal Miner's Granddaughter said...

Yep. It's official. I love you. :)

judy in ky said...

No wonder we all love you!

judy in ky said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Patience said...

No excuse for saying the N-Word. Ever. Period.

I'm glad you called her on that. I hope I would have done the same thing!

LzyMom said...

I love you.

Maybe you could write a book on snappy comebacks?

:)

Unknown said...

i heart you.

Unknown said...

BURN!!!!

Good for you and thank you!

Tami said...

Awesome comeback!!

Stephanie said...

That is just horrible and so out of line. Old people think they can get away with crap that the rest of us never could.
I was shopping the other day and this OLD woman pretty much badgered this cashier to give her a sale on a pair of pants that were not on sale just because they were the same brand as a pair she was buying that were on sale. And the lady did it, just to get her out of there.

Karen said...

I am so glad you had a come back for the hag!

AndreAnna said...

OH NO SHE DI-INT!

I think I would have been too stunned for words to form properly. Good thing you had a quick comeback.

Tricia said...

No. Seriously? I am glad you put her in her place.

Tricia said...

No. Seriously? I am glad you put her in her place.

Mrs. Scuba said...

OMG!! You are AWESOME!!

Lynnbug said...

Perfect response. I hear crap like that all the time from people (I think because I live in Alabama). It makes my skin crawl and my eye twitch. Now I have a comeback! I WILL copy you!

Mrs. Booms said...

Oh my God, I love you.

Unknown said...

THAT was an awesome response! I wish I could think of stuff to say like that when in those kinda situations. Good for you!

Maui Mamma said...

I think those things all the time. Have the guts to say them? Not so much. Glad you did it for all of us...

Liz said...

Good for you. I wouldn't know what to say.

Anonymous said...

First of all, 60 isn't so old that the N word was commonly used--at least among folks I knew here on the west coast. It is reprehensible that she would think she could say that anywhere, anytime. She's just a hateful, sorry ass old bag who will die alone. And good for you to call her on it. By the way, I'm over 60 and never use my age to do something antisocial or cruel.

NGS said...

I think I would have just stared at her like a slack-jawed yokel. I mean, really? Who says things like that OUT LOUD? I thought most racists knew that it is considered inappropriate (at the very least) to actually admit racism in a vocalized form?!

Way to actually say something!!

Susan said...

Did you really??! You totally ROCK!!

That Chick Over There said...

notmuchofacook, that was my point. Her age wasn't really the important part...she's about the age of my mother and my mother would NEVER say something like that. My point was that she was a racist.

It was pretty obvious that it would offend her if I talked about her age, because she was trying to act like SHE WASN'T that age. Not that there is anything wrong with that either, necessarily, but she needed to get told.

Bethany said...

Oh my Lord, I love you.

KrustyLynn said...

Fan-stinkin-TASTIC! this is reason number 54,663,454 why we love you!!!

Anonymous said...

Ha! Nice comeback!

velocibadgergirl said...

You? Are the wind beneath my wings.

Devon said...

you have more guts than i!! this post made me laugh!!

Unknown said...

:0 LOL! Oh, Chick. You are quick and dead-on. That is the thing that I would have WISHED I said long after the workout.

Racism. It's just unbelievable what people say, think and do.

Rachel (Crazy-Is) said...

I cannot believe anyone would have the audacity to say anything like that to a complete stranger! I wouldn't even say it to people I know, but I suppose everyone is entitled to their opinion. Racism will probably never go away, but I feel like a big step has been taken.