On the Defensive

I don't know if anyone remembers the incident we had with a certain pot-smoker in our apartment that Chuck gave the business to. Well he moved out and in the process accused Chuck and I of being dishonest and untrustworthy to our employer....

I confronted him about it and he replied, "I have to advocate for my best interests and I didn't feel that you had my best interests in mind."

Which is an interesting comment that has me a little miffed. Perhaps it was the smoke that has clouded his judgement... I thought I did have his interests in mind. I mean, I cleaned up after his messes in the hallways, put a smiley face on his move out report, didn't call the police and evict him when he was doing illegal drugs in his apartment, and I tried to save him over $300.00... I also open the door for him and always smiled and said hello.

How did he get the impression that we were sneaky snakes? And why do I care what this kid thinks about us? (Chuck most certainly does not care... whatsoever)

Our employer said the comment was "in one ear and out the other." As he complimented Chuck and I on our integrity. And he also noted, "It seems we have an angry little pot smoker on our hands."

So it boils down to this, Dude tried to defame our character to our employer because we would not let him spark doobies in the apartment.

In another sense though I felt like I could relate to him... I mean I live a lot of my life on the defensive. I have dealt with a lot of businesses and organizations that have not been looking out for my best interests. I wonder how many hours of my life I have spent on the telephone trying to fix bills, bank statements, loans, stuff for school (the U of M is currently on my list of organizations that drive me bonkers that is another post entirely). How many times have you been swindled, bamboozled are just plain lied to... had someone try to sell you something you told them you don't need? Had to call a company and wait on line for ever to try and get it fixed only to be treated rudely? Been sent on a wild goose chase where people tell you "your problem" should be handled by someone else... only to get there and be passed along.

Not only that I can't go running at night, I have to always lock my doors and guard my purse in public settings (especially the grocery store where the check out ladies tell me... Don't Leave your purse in the cart!)

Kind of sad... Oh what a world... what a world we live in. I don't want to be on the defensive all the time...

But do I have a choice?