Must You Comment? Really?

[the_std]

I get the hiccups. A lot. My doctor once told me it was from a weak or slightly malformed diaphragm, it might be related to some breathing troubles I have, whatever. All I know for sure is that I get the hiccups probably at least four times a week, and they're never little hiccups, they're the big, loud, painful ones that shake my whole body. But I've had them ever since I can remember and I don't let them bother me. Then I started working in retail.

If I am interacting with a customer in some way and I get the hiccups, I will say "pardon me" and try to continue on as normal. A lot of people are good about it - they'll nod, maybe make a small remark ("ah, gotta love the hiccups!" or something like that) and then we'll continue with our conversation. That is no problem. My issue is with the seemingly increasing number of people who make a big freaking deal out of it.

"OH MY GOD, those are the loudest hiccups ever! I heard you from across the store! Don't those hurt? Why do you get them? How are you not in pain right now? Oh hahaha! That last one was super funny cause it cut you off in the middle of a word! You could base a stand-up act around them! You poor thing - I can't imagine that they're any fun to have!"

I once had a woman go on and for about five fucking minutes, ignoring every attempt I made to steer the conversation back onto the product we had been discussing. Now please remember - this was a customer and I had to be polite as she was not directly harassing me or causing any trouble, so suggestions of telling her to fuck off or shut up are stupid at best. Eventually we got back on topic, but man... Why do some of these people feel the need to go on and on about something so trivial? Yeah, I get it, I sound funny - make your one little joke and let's move on. Don't blather at me until they go away, because I hate you more and more with every comment you make.

Guh.

[blas87]

I'm unsure if it's more of people wanting to feel better about themselves by pointing out the obvious, as if it's never been pointed before, or if they just have no filter or manners.

[jackfaire]

I am sorry but she spent 5 minutes going on about a topic that makes you uncomfortable when people focus on it. She was harassing you.


I would be polite as well but it was harassment.

[HYHYBT]

It seems like the "you poor thing" line would be a good opening for "yes, and the worst part is people keep talking about them."

[Boozy]

It is not considered rude to say, "This topic of discussion is making me uncomfortable. Would it be all right if we changed the subject?" Say it with a smile.

And make the smile genuine, because the woman you were describing in the OP and her ilk are not very bright individuals. They lack the basic social skills that are necessary for achieving success and happiness. Life will not be kind to them, so you might as well be.

Some companies won't even allow you to say that much, and will allow the customer to heap endless abuse on their staff and expect that their lousy wage offerings will balance the scale. Fuck those companies. If you work for one, quit and go somewhere else. You're a very smart person, you'll have no trouble.

[the_std]

Boozy, the next time that happens, I will most likely respond in the way you described. I've only ever had one person go that overboard and that was the woman I described in the OP. I was gobsmacked that anyone would be so... Dumb about something as inconsequential as the hiccups. My employer will definitely stand up for me if she raises a stink, and if they wouldn't, you're right, I wouldn't be there.

I just cannot fathom what would bring someone to go so far into something so basic about a complete stranger. The majority of people I've met in this, my first retail job, have been normal and civil, what Recovering Kinkoid would call a decent person, but those choice few... It is honestly baffling. People are so strange.

[bainsidhe]

Interesting, I also get hiccups often, though it seems to usually be at work and I can have as little as a single hiccup to hiccuping for a couple minutes. Maybe it's related to stress? It sucks, because as soon as I get hiccups, I'm guaranteed to get them throughout the rest of the day.

My hiccups aren't loud, but they're embarrassing and I will try to "swallow" the sound so it isn't as obvious. Or at least I did until sis kept commenting how I sound like I'm burping. Thanks sis. Or be like my dad and tell me I'm eating too fast. Make sure to yell while doing it and insinuate it's tied to my weight.

Yeah, hiccups suck.

[LexiaFira]

very much sympathize with std.
when i do get hiccups its the same as yours but its a hi pitched sound too. and apparently they are cute sounding and make people laugh.