Posted by Elle2021 on March 3, 2004, at 23:59:37
Rod: Okay, if you didn't read my above post to you, then read it first.
I'm sure this will sound quite trivial...
Tonight I went somewhere with my mum and sister. I would rather not say exactly where, but it was the type of place where one must mind her manners and not lose her temper. Anyway, this older man that I know quite well and speak to very often approached me and gave a few tugs to my purse. I have told him on numerous occasions that touching my purse is off limits. It is one of my major pet peeves. Mostly because my "psychiatric" medication is in it and I'm always paranoid that it will fall out and everyone will *know*. Anyway, tonight I was/am particularly in a tired mood. He tugged my purse. I turned around and somewhat jokingly said, "You are so irritating." I of course was half-way joking. He then began to act (I say act because I know he was putting on) as if he were offended or hurt. I clarified that I was just kidding, but he would not drop it. This person teases me all the time. Because of things that happened to me when I was growing up, I HATE to be teased in any way. It upsets me greatly. I'm already overly sensitive as it is. Then to make matters worse when I tried to defend myself, my mother took his side and gave me a slap on the arm that I am sure she did not mean to hurt, but it did. Neither my sister nor my mother stuck up for me. My mother is always so preoccupied with keeping up appearances and pretenses that she just let this guy walk all over me. I realize of course that I could have said something, and I tried, really I did. BUT, it was to no avail. I will have to return to this place again, and it is a for sure fact that I will encounter this person again. What should I do? I have told him before I do not take well to teasing, but he disregards my feelings. Is there a tactful but extremely firm and explicit way to handle this? :(
Elle
poster:Elle2021
thread:319979
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040303/msgs/319979.html