Example #1
Yesterday I went to art class, and amid the painting, a lot of talking. Eventually politics came up. I said I liked Obama and think he's gonna do a fine job, and am impressed by his cabinet choices. Silence. Then a lady spoke up saying "You'll think he's fine until you see him taking the oath of office on the Koran!" Loud groan from me.

Then my teacher (A nice woman) said "I really do think Bush has kept terrorists from attacking us again." Another groan from me. She knows I think Bush is an incompetent nincompoop. Time was up and I left. The other ladies stayed behind, and my ears burned. I know they were talking about me. I keep forgetting my peers here in the deep south would rather be snakebit than have a black man as president. And these same people still think Bush is a peachy guy. (Groan)

Example #2
Later I had a visit from a woman who was showing me her engagement ring studded with diamonds, and her wedding ring studded with even larger diamonds. She says her husband and son are gonna make payments on a diamond cocktail ring for her as a Christmas present. Next breath she tells me she and hubby want to buy a house some day. I say now's the time--it's a buyer's market.

Diamond lady says they have to wait 5 years to pay off a bunch of bills first. I said if you have to have a new car every year and spend your money on bling, you'll never save up enough to move out of your trailer. I should have kept my lips zipped.

Example #3
My best friend, or so I call her, phoned with news about her son separating from his wife. All her immediate family have chimed in with opinions about it, all against the wife of course, and they are phoning each other with updates. I said y'all should not be talking about their business; it's a private thing between husband and wife, and scurrilous attacks aren't nice. When there's trouble in marriage, it's usually a 50-50 thing.
My friend hasn't phoned for two days; I know she's mad at me. Once again, I shoulda zipped the lip. People don't want to hear the truth.

susil