Judgemental much?

November 20, 2009

One of my jobs during this construction process, while Matt is busy working at the shop, is to call and drive around getting quotes for building materials. After finding the cheapest concrete block in town, I had driven up to pay for the block which would be delivered in a few days. Then I had to return the day of delivery to add mortar mix to our order so they would put it on the truck before it left at lunch time. I had spoken to the receptionist on the phone and told her I wasn't sure if one of us would make it there in time. But I did and showed up to pay for the mortar. While I was waiting for the paperwork to print the receptionist happened to ask if I had to take off of work to come there. Fair enough question. I replied, "No, I don't work". Now I'm not sure if it was because most people can't afford to build a house right now or because this company is located in the Lake Norman area, or what, but the lady said to me, "Oh, are you one of those princesses that won't work?" Excuse me? Who says that OUT LOUD....to a customer no less! Maybe it was the way I worded my response. I could have said, "I don't have a job" or "I don't work right now", but does it really matter? Maybe it was because I was dress in a cute wrap sweater and jeans, wearing makeup and jewelery. Maybe I should have showed up in my work boots and jeans with mud and concrete stains and a ponytail. How does she know I don't have 3 kids at home to take care of? I don't really care if she wants to think that silently in her head, but who has the audacity to say that out loud to the person you are talking about? Am I crazy here? I wish I would have showed a moderate reaction when she said that, so she would realize it was rude. But I never have the nerve to say anything until after the fact. I was friendly and simply said "Actually, I was laid off. And so is my husband and we are doing all this work ourselves because it's all we can afford." And proceeded to tell her what work I used to be in and chit chatted about the school system for a few minutes. This, or course, was all after we had given their company $1300. It's not like we can afford to go anywhere else. Oh well. What do ya do.