Crumbs From the Corner: Adventures in Woolgathering

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Performing Assistance Without a Licence



"If the person you are talking to doesn't appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear."
-Winnie the Pooh

That member of my family tree whom I refer to as The Aunt- she was forever interfering and helping, bless her. She never listened to a word any of us uttered; I quite think that she was a victim of too much fluff in her own ear. She heard what she chose to but one could not ever say she listened.
As soon as her mind was set upon assisting, despite our protests, there was no stopping the force of her insistence.
Years ago during school holidays I applied for a summer job at a prestigious hotel. Some weeks later I foolishly commented that I had not heard word from the proprietors about my status and prospective employment. The Aunt tutted and twitched an eyelid in defence of her dear niece.
Some weeks later I received a curt and tense letter in the post from that establishment.
It told that, in reference to my cousin's letter, I should be aware that I would hear back from them in due time. The process, they insisted, was lengthy and I was to be patient with them.
Cousin? Letter? I seethed upon enlightenment. My distant cousin is a local politician and manages the financial affairs of The Aunt. Said Aunt had asked him to intervene and push the hotel management into offering me the job.
I wept ever so slightly and then fashioned a polite but resigned letter back to them indicating that I had had nothing whatsoever to do with the ghastly and embarrassing situation and was completely innocent of attempts at using far-flung relatives to gain employment.
I never heard a thing back from them. I never again mentioned any potential endeavours to The Aunt.

4 comments:

Beth said...

oh my, that must have been humiliating. I assume you never said anything to the Aunt about it but just purposed to yourself to avoid the same set of facts in the future. That's the way I would have handled it, too. I fear confrontation even with people who dearly deserve it.

Pappy said...

It's only interference when it doesn't help us right?

beth said...

oh gosh....

I think most people have some fluff in their ears....at least my kids sure do often enough !

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

Beth- it was indeed humiliating but my own fault for telling her about the job interview in the first place.
That's why I didn't say anything. She might have misunderstood my mentioning it as asking for help ;) I'm not one to call people out on things, I'd rather back off and be wary next time.

Texican- yes, you're right, except in this particular case I wouldn't have wanted that help from her even if it was successful.

Beth- I think I could honestly say she had 'kindly' earfluff but oh, she just wouldn't listen. Good intentions, and all that...

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