Just don't ask

[rockakamille]

I would like to add to the list of things that are bad manners to ask a person.... such as, "Are you pregnant?", "How's your thesis?", and "Have you gained weight

Comments

[aureellia]

Give it to them with both barrels. You don't have to do it in a mean way but in a factual, "This is another face of cancer" way. My mom got so many compliments on conquering her weight issues when she was going through chemo! I used to just tell them why my hair was completely colorless and I was so thin. It is messed up, but people spread the word. If they are a little embarrassed, they can be pretty supportive. Just saying.

(I know I have to be a dork before I can be a great person. I think there are a lot of folks like me.)

[onesleeve]

People are not raised with manners these days... or even tact. They plow through their lives not caring who they've bruised or insulted or made uncomfortable. Cancer is such a hard subject. Especially when talking to someone going through it. Sorry that you need to deal with that part of it all too.

But... Yay on your visit!! And Yay on teaching again!!! That should keep your spirits up!!

It was good to talk to you last night, thank you for calling. I am definitely going to work on setting up a mini workshop for you here. :D Can't wait to see you!
xoxoxoxo

[roswtr]

You know, cancer used to be a private thing -- people with cancer very politely went off and suffered in silence and didn't bother the rest of us with it, so we never learned how to deal with it.

People need to learn to deal with it.

I'm not sure a checkout line or any other time is really inappropriate, unless it's just inconvenient or uncomfortable for you at that moment. Like aureellia said, give it to them with both barrels. Desensitize the topic.