NTKOG #71: The kind of wishy-washy ragdoll who, instead of making independent decisions, asks strangers for input and bends to their every whim.
I am,: in everyday matters, often too picky to listen to the voice of the majority.
I am not: a girl who has a hard time making a decision.
The Scene: An afternoon in Harvard Square, spent bumming around and trying to write after a (very good, I think!) job interview. My only goals for the afternoon were to eat lunch and write about ten pages for a story I’ve been working on. Easy peasy, right?
After the interview, I hopped into Finagle and set up my laptop. When the clerk asked what I wanted, I only gazed at her with a sort of vague, salvation-seeking smile. “What do you think I should get? What’s your favorite?” Weirdly, she chose an everything with scallion, which is what I was going to choose anyway.
After an hour or so of writing, the employees got edgy for me to give up the seat I’d been occupying, so I drifted to Peet’s and made the requisite for-internet purchase. “Tea, I should think. I don’t know. You choose the flavor, please.” The dreamy cashier fell in my eyes a bit when he picked out two bags of boring Earl Grey, then recurried all his lost favor when he quite emphatically told me to get a slice of pumpkin bread. Yes, sir.
What with the exhausting task of writing for hour upon hour, I ended up stopping at Lush – oh Lush, how I love it – on the way back to the bus. “Bubble bar, please,” I told the willowy, nervous-cute girl at the counter. “I want something insanely decadent. Something that will make me feel more a god than a mortal.”
She actually blew me away by suggesting a combination of a melt and a bubble bar that I not in a million years would have chosen. To wit: Shy Guy, the cinnamon bubble bar, mixed with a super-luxe slightly floral oatmeal exfoliating melt. Smelling the two together kind of made my brain break, in the best of all ways. I fell in love right then, a little bit, is what I think I’m saying.
The Verdict: You guys! It was so nice to take a few hours and TURN MY BRAIN OFF. A+++ would rely on the decision-making abilities of strangers again. I should really do this again next time I eat out in a restaurant. It might help me get over my many irrational food fears. (Yeah, I’m watching you, cauliflower. Also: all of seafood.) Although, second lesson learned: I am perhaps the easiest touch in the world for a quick up-sell. Fiscal responsibility? Pah.
Going to continue the complete mental gooification now with a four-hour soak. Bliss.
Also, unrelated but completely wonderful: MEGA CONGRATS TO SISTER, who just landed an awesome new job!!! I couldn’t be prouder of her. Any company would be fantastically lucky to have her!
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I am usually pretty good at making my own decisions as well, but I have to agree that every once in a while I like to turn my brain off too. Especially when it comes to making decisions about things that I’m not particularly picky about, like food. I rarely choose the restaurant, I kinda like to see what other people are passionate about.
I’ve heard really awesome things about Lush, and you’re totally making me want to turn off MY brain, head in there, and tell someone to give me something decadent!
THANK YOU!! It is somewhat related to this post, btw!!
I have never been, nor will I ever be, indecisive. I am quick to make a decision and I follow my instincts until everything has worked itself out. Never live in regret, and don’t dwell in the past. Oh, and never fuck with me and my Christmas vacation– especially when it’s the only holiday I get to spend with our small family and the cute beastie-rat dogs!
Dear, I’ve always said that ANY decision is better than NO decision. Your father says “Making No decision is a decision.”
I’m quick to make a decision, but I am often wrong. Please watch your language, dear, because this is TKOG’s blog. However, I do agree with you. NEVER mess with Sister. Hmmm…..now what’s should I have for lunch? Ideas please.
Haha, I’m glad you got a surprising and delightful recommendation from the Lush salesgirl, but, c’mon, you LOVE Lush. Barring some stranger intercepting the salesgirl and advising you to leave the store empty-handed, you were basically sure to be a happy camper/bather.
That’s true. I was surprised to go for a floral scent, but the salesgirl probably could have recommended a citrus scrub … or a toffee bomb … or an ex-boyfriend who doesn’t make smartass remarks about my Lushness and I’d have gone for any of them. (You see what I did there?)
Wow, I envy you gals. I’m pretty much the epitome of wishy-washiness (which makes playing board games with me a practically aerobic exercise in frustration).
I ask for suggestions at restaurants all the freakin’ time. Even when I’ve found a few things I like though, I try to get something new every time. Worst case: I don’t get it again; best case: I have a new favorite dish. :)
I’ll vouch that it does help you get over food fears. For that matter, just eating whatever people freakin’ serve you will do wonders for acquiring all sorts of tastes. Being polite and expanding your palate? Totally win-win. Just the simple act of tolerating food people give to me (being a social eater, if you will) has given me an appreciation for alcohol, fish (both cooked and raw), shrimp/shellfish, peppers, tomatoes, cream cheese (yes, cheesecake used to literally make me throw up), avocado, and sundry other previously grody food products. After all, why limit myself? Having more culinary options never killed anyone, I say.
Ooooh, I’m inspired by your tale of overcoming food fears! That’s it. Next time I go out to eat, I’m asking for a recommendation without any parameters, and just eating the heck out of whatever I’ve given. Even if it’s raw octopus and saeurkraut.
I love having someone else make the decisions for me. That way, if it sucks, I’m not responsible. Yes, I am that much of a bitch!
This one? Hates seafood. Can’t stand it. Ugh. Ick. Puke.
Peet’s!!! (That is all.)
Dear TKOG,
Please don’t hate me.. I have a confession.
At work, I am sent free…
LUSH.
Often. Very often.
Part of my job is to test and review beauty products and then write about them. Monthly. (I just let out a huge sigh).
The LUSH girl and I have become email bosom buddies over the last year or so (mainly because I flog her stuff in the magazine…I think she’s using me?) and she sends me new bombs, soaps, scrubs and flowery things by the boxfull. The word “samples” is thrown about like a ragdoll.
And I’m not one to exaggerate.
Why am I telling you? Because often I have thought to myself, “It’s just not right that all these pretty things come your way sandyb, and you have no one, but sandyb’s sister, to share them with. Sigh.. If only there were another girl who could understand the obsession that is LUSH.. If. Only.”
And then there was TKOG.
If I could share my goods with anyone on the planet TKOG, it would be you.
If you ever need to, want to, crave to share your latest indulgences with another LUSH obsessor, I am here for you. Post away and I shall comment until the cows come home. I will support your need to divulge the indulgence.
And if that Toronto trip does ever happen, we shall be LUSH’d in luxury!!
Samples. How I love thee.
!!!!!!! I literally — literally — gasped aloud when I read the words “free” and “Lush” in such close proximity. It is a true testament to how very much I like you that I’m not boiling with envy right now.
omg. Lush samples. You lucky person.
Dude, if you ever need to hire a long-distance, bath bomb-testing copyeditor, you know whom to call.
Ghostbusters?