The Mood Police

[Kaylyn]

So, at work tonight, I was actually in a pretty good mood. I was on my last load at the mill, and though my paperwork hadn't been signed yet upon picking up the emptied trailer (it's usually waiting for me so I can grab it and go) I had plenty of time before I had to be back at the warehouse.

I had my iPod on with my excellent noise-cancelling earphones, which has the double bonus of blocking out the loud mill noise and pumping my favorite tunes/podcasts/audiobooks into my ears, thus making my night go ever so much faster. I'm leaning against the railing, waiting for a forklift driver to drive by so I can flag them down to sign my paperwork so I can go, listening to an extremely catchy song (Suspender Man by Steam Powered Giraffe, if you must know and/or would like to check them out, they're awesome!) and kinda bouncing and silently singing along and tapping my fingers against the paperwork in time with the song. I had a neutral expression on my face, but there was absolutely nothing about me that said "grumpy".

I see movement out of the corner of my left eye and turn to see another driver, who appeared to be talking to me. Now, my earphones aren't very obvious, so I pause my iPod through my pocket and pull out my earphones with a "Hmm? Were you saying something?"

Other driver: "You shouldn't look so unhappy."

What I said: -blink blink- "I'm...not?" to which I was met with a smug look that clearly said, "oh, but I know better."

What I should have said: "I humbly beg your pardon, but as you're a driver, like me, and we probably don't have any reason to be interacting with one another, the only reason my mood should be any of your business is if I am actively pulling your esophagus out through your anus and then feeding it back to you. Now kindly locate the nearest flaming pile of debris and expire in it."

You guys just...don't understand how much I loathe the mood police. I was in a fantastic mood until he told me that I wasn't.

[yeahwhatev]

Sounds like he was doing that EXACTLY on purpose. It works both ways. Smile at someone, it's infectious. Tell them they are wrong/bad/uncheerful they tend to become that.

[mhkohne]

I think the proper response is 'I know what will cheer me up! Hold still!' and pull out hammer.

[sms001]

'I know what will cheer me up! Hold still!' ...

So using that next time! And Kaylyn, "mood police" is a great phrase for these imbeciles. yeahwhatev probably has it right though, misery loves company and you just looked too mellow for dimwit's satisfaction.

[MoonCat]

I "shouldn't"? Says who?

Ugh, people like that should be smacked with a mackerel.

[Teskeria]

Other driver: "You shouldn't look so unhappy."

"really? You mean the normal response to finding out someone you care about is dying is to be happy? Wow! I never knew that! "

[wolfie]

I think the proper response is 'I know what will cheer me up! Hold still!' and pull out hammer.

Yep, checking the "mood police" moron's intracranial pressure would definitely cheer Kaylyn up.

[AmbrosiaWriter]

Personally I would've just gone, " 'k" put the headphones back on, then put a huge scowl on my face just to spite him.

[Food Lady]

I HATE this more than anything. So he somehow had time to stop what he was doing to mood--monitor?? Maybe his boss needs to know he doesn't have enough to do....

[Halo_miles]

I get this a lot where I work. Now, I'm not an angry/scowly person. I'm always in an extremely positive and chipper mood (mostly due to the coffee I drink, and the fact that I love my job), and it actually offends people that I'm so happy. I had someone get visually pissed that I was greeting people with a genuine smile, making conversation, and wishing them a wonderful day.

I'm confused. My shift lead told me not to be too concerned about it, as my attitude has been praised by at least 9/10 customers that come in. It brings us business, and leaves people feeling content. Works for me. But I was like, "seriously?" You're getting angry because I'm happy?

[Kaylyn]

"really? You mean the normal response to finding out someone you care about is dying is to be happy? Wow! I never knew that! "

Yeah, I did just find out last week that my mom's been having heart trouble. Didn't think to use that as an "excuse" to be "unhappy". I don't tend to lie (or exaggerate the truth, in that instance) well under pressure like that.

There's one guy that works at the mill on the forklifts that pulls the same stuff. But I've dealt with him enough and know his attitude to where I can glower at him and say, "And just how do you know what I'm dealing with right now and what kind of mood I should be in?" without feeling bad about it. (I have a tendency to think way too much about what other people, including strangers, must think of me and have trouble being blunt sometimes.) That is the same guy that thinks it's funny to jump out from behind dark corners and scare the ladies, not realizing or not caring that I have mild anxiety issues and that is liable to send me into a panic attack.

[BeeMused]

That is the same guy that thinks it's funny to jump out from behind dark corners and scare the ladies, not realizing or not caring that I have mild anxiety issues and that is liable to send me into a panic attack.

This is when you start carrying a 2x4 and deck him one... What? You thought you were under attack and simply defended yourself!

Uh, erm... I think documenting and a visit to HR might work as well.

[sms001]

start carrying a 2x4 and deck him one...
Uh, erm... I think documenting and a visit to HR might work as well.

Maybe not as well, but maybe a tad more professional.

[wolfie]

This is when you start carrying a 2x4 and deck him one... What? You thought you were under attack and simply defended yourself!

I'd steer clear of that - after all, it would be out of the ordinary for her to be carrying a 2x4 on the job, so it could be seen as carrying a weapon with the expectation to use it.. Considering she's a truck driver, and for pre-trips at night you need a light source, a 3D Maglite in a belt loop would be something she could reasonably be expected to be carrying.

[Kaylyn]

I'd steer clear of that - after all, it would be out of the ordinary for her to be carrying a 2x4 on the job, so it could be seen as carrying a weapon with the expectation to use it.. Considering she's a truck driver, and for pre-trips at night you need a light source, a 3D Maglite in a belt loop would be something she could reasonably be expected to be carrying.

Ew I got brain matter on my Maglite.

That guy's just lucky I default to "flight" and not "fight". He still rolls his eyes and says, "I'm not gonna hurt you!" whenever he does it. Dude...doesn't matter. That ain't cool.

I'm not a violent person (well, except in video games) but I can only hope one day he scares the wrong person and learns his lesson.