Thursday, February 14, 2008

Les Boules

I'm feeling like I know how to speak French today.

There was once a time when the thought of making a phone call in French scared the beejeesus outta me and sent me running for my Hubster. Even for something so simple as calling a friend. After 5 years, I feel like I'm finally starting to shake that.

Last night, I came home to hear a gruff message on my answer phone from a particular Worker Man. I was astonished by his message and as the French say, I had "les boules." Or in as I would say in English, I was pissed.

Without hesitation, I grabbed the phone, dialed the number, and started talking. We passed briefly through yelling, a few moments of explaining, several "mais, monsieurs," finally reaching a relative peace at the end.

Most of you that know me, know that I'm not a confrontational kinda person, but I have to admit to feeling empowered and strong after all this last night. I spoke my mind, I told Worker Man what I thought, I expressed myself. In French. And I think he got the point.

Of course, I didn't sleep a wink last night and I'm feeling emotionally exhausted. This morning, I bascially begged Hubster to deal with him from now on.

Sure, I might be getting better at my French, but I'm still horrible at conflict in any language.

5 comments:

Kitty said...

Hope this wasn't the roofer.

Dig said...

Nope. Thank goodness! Just the woodstove guy...

Kelly said...

I know what you mean about confrontation. I avoid it at any cost!

But now I can't with these fifth graders...

hubster dave said...

Quite amusing really... we order a stove in approx Sept 2006... it is finally installed in Dec 2007... after Dig has called the shop on pretty much a weekly basis for 6 months to move things along.
And the guy thinks we should settle the invoice in full IMMEDIATELY, despite the fact that it was faulty and needed a repair. And Dig would rather give in and pay him before we have tested the repair is good, just to avoid some conflict...

Oh well, thats Dig!!!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY hunny... luvs ya!!!

xoxoxo

Sue said...

I have to agree with Dig on this one. I hate conflict...in any language. This conversation was a definite ego booster to the non-native speaker. Well Done! Happy Valentine's Day to all!!!