13 February, 2006

Feeling Alien


FBF (Flatmate/Best Friend) and I were invited to GB (Ginger Boss, whom I work with)'s house for dinner on Saturday evening. She had come to our place for dinner some time ago (about 6 months) and had decided she was required to return the favour, in a very polite British stylee. Both FBF and I would have been thrilled to never see her socially again (especially as I have to work with her every day); however, we accepted the invitation out of courtesy.

At first, it appeared that the evening would be fine. GB was being fairly pleasant, as were both of us. However, after a few bottles of wine, everyone was a little more relaxed, and the fireworks commenced.

It all started with a typical GB comment:

GB: Oh, I liked New Zealand, because I felt really superior...

FBF: Um, well that's an interesting perspective.

GB: Yes, well I feel superior in America too, being British.

Ziggy and FBF's jaws are slack with horror (especially as both of us are Australian, and it is fairly obvious she is letting us know that she is 'superior' to us also).

The interesting thing was that initially, I wasn't that surprised about what she was saying. The likely reason for that is I spend all my working time with her, and hear this sort of thing quite often. FBF only sees her on choice occasions like this one. So when FBF was suitably horrified, I realised just how negative this woman is.

How long can I continue to work with someone who regards me as inferior?

15 comments:

JM said...

As long as no one feels inferior to her, she can think what she wants to think.

zuzula said...

I suppose you have to hand it to her for being so utterly ignorant about how shameful it is to be a Brit these days! Next time she starts on why don't you subtly enquire about the superiority of football hooligans, happy slappers, brits abroad etc... it's enough to make me want to burn my passport!

Jay Noel said...

Half the people you will work with will think you are inferior. There's always some idiot like that somewhere. You really can't escape it.

Sar said...

Wow, that woman has one helluva a tude on her!

DaBich said...

Dang, I'd love to meet this umm...sorry excuse for a woman. I'd love to play with words with her LOL!

running42k said...

I had no idea you were Australian.

ziggystardust73 said...

To the Brits... i.e. TM and Zuze: I have no problem with British people, just want to clarify that, in the event that may have been perceived. Although both your messages did make me chuckle.

Angel and Phoenix - it was less about my inferiority and more about the fact that she views me as inferior as a result of my nationality.

Sar - you better believe it!

Dabich - I'd really, really love to see that!

Running - that has to be the absolutely best thing anyone could have said with regards to this post! BRILLIANT!

Karen said...

Sounds like she's got a low self-esteem...

Anhoni Patel said...

are you sure she wasn't just being tongue-in-cheek in typical dry British humor?

You should have responded in equally dry humor "Yes, I know *exactly* how you feel. I feel the same way when I;m in Britain."

If she feels "superior" in New Zealand (and the irony is that Kiwis have the right to feel superior the Britain) and America (fuck you Ginger Boss) then I wonder how she would feel in a country like India?

ziggystardust73 said...

Karen, yes - I think a lot of her stuff comes from insecurity - it's interesting you could note that from one post though! And welcome.

Anhoni - the woman is a nasty piece of work, it wasn't being said in a humorous way at all, which is why I reacted so badly!

Anonymous said...

Bring her over here to Jersey and we'll let the people of Newark decide who's superior. She'd crap her bloomers.

markus said...

she sounds like a real charmer... next time, decline the invite.

Ryan said...

Why do you guys hate being Brits so much? I'm an American, and your Big Brother is waaayyyy better than ours.

ziggystardust73 said...

aaaaahhhh how I love you, Organic.

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