Being Ignored

What bothers you and why?

Have you ever been in a restaurant waiting to be served, realizing the four tables who came after you already have menus and water?

That drives me to distraction. It triggers my anger. It makes me want to scream.

Sometimes I get a little snarky and sometimes I just walk out. Rarely do I have it in me to politely wait for someone to show up.

Am I invisible? Why are they ignoring me? It triggers some childhood issues where I felt invisible.

It happens when I’m waiting on line and the cashier and the customer in front of me start having a long conversation. Can’t they see people are waiting?

When I say childhood issue let me explain. I was the middle girl. The third of four children. The oldest was so focused on because well, she was the oldest and our parents had high expectations. The second was the boy. That says it all. Then me. Then the adorable youngest who was funny and cute.

This isn’t just my family dynamics. It’s a textbook case.

I work hard to handle these situations appropriately. Not like a crazy woman ready to pull my hair out. I take deep breaths. I do positive self-talk. And I leave the situation before I act out.