Say What You Mean

In the last 10 days or so I've had 3 different people hit me up with "action statements." What's that you ask? Well, that's when someone makes a statement, but it isn't just any statement, oh no. It has far more meaning than a mere statement. They expect you to follow it up with some action even though that's not what they said.

Example One: "Judy, I'm going to be in your neighborhood this weekend." See, it's a statement. My answer of, "Oh" was completely appropriate, but not really. I'm sure the person telling it to me meant for me to say... well, something. "Great! Let's do lunch!" or "Cool! Let's see a movie!" or even "Don't go down Main Street it's full of construction." I didn't though. I didn't have the desire to pursue it more. I had no idea if "I'm in your neighborhood" meant let's meet up for an activity or let's spend the day together and I didn't feel like playing 20 questions to figure it all out.

Example Two: "I have a big box of cardstock in my trunk." That's another statement. That one was a bit more puzzling so my reply of, "Why?" was spot on. The answer was that it was from a lady who was going into a home and couldn't take it all with her. My answer was then, "Oh." I'm sure I was supposed to offer to buy it from her, or take it, or offer some suggestion. Except for putting it in a recycle bin versus a trash can I don't have a suggestion, especially if that suggestion requires some sort of action or responsibility on my part. I'm full up on those this month.

Example Three: "I have January 2 off!" That's a fine declarative statement and I answered it with, "Me too!" Much like the first person I'm sure there were implications and hints that we should do something together. I was very reluctant to bite into that one mostly because that person is always very late if she shows at all. I didn't want to be beholden to someone else's time on my very last vacation day.

Interestingly, all three of these action statements ended there. The person who started it didn't pick up the conversation again to say what they were truly after. The way I look at it, that's on them. And since they are all women they are all probably pissed off at me now. I mentioned this to my male friend, and he said he was no fool. He knew to say exactly what you mean when talking to women. Then he invited me to lunch next week with an action statement for him, "I'll call you on Monday so we can decide when and where."  That's my kind of friend!

The Fine Print: Random kit cards that I made quite awhile ago and just now got around to sharing.You can't rush these things.