do people really believe you? [View All]

[flaminbats]

almost ten years ago something unforgettable happened to me.

When I was growing up, my grandfather and parents taught me how to water-ski. My uncle later taught me how to slalom..and eventually I taught myself how to ski board. The first day I tried, I fell three times before getting up. It took several weeks after that before I could even get out of the wake, a little while longer before I could handle the waves outside the wake, and a few weeks after that before I mastered the slalom.

When I was in college I took some classes in Pascal, and worked very closely on the programs in that class with the other students. During our breaks they talked frequently about snow-skiing and how much they loved it. One of my friends mentioned he could also water-ski, I said I could too..and asked "is snow-skiing was anything like it?"

He only rolled his eyes and replied.."sure it is!!"

At the end of that quarter we all visited our Professor who lived on the lake. He took us out on the boat to water-ski. I spent most of my time giving advice to those who had never tried before..but for some reason none of them seemed to be listening. Only the one I already knew could water-ski got up!

Then it was my turn..I went last, I picked up the slalom ski and was about to jump in, as the student who got up on skies that day, stopped me and asked "are you really sure you want to try that? after all..it is your first time isn't it?"

I was a little bit shocked..but responded.."no, I've been doing this for years!"

They all laughed at me..and my teacher said "ok, jp..have it your way!!!"

Then I jumped in..and for the first time in years showed off to the others what I could really do! Then I got back in the boat and was getting applause..someone said to me "that was awesome!" another said "we didn't know you could ski!"

I shocked to hear those words..and wondered even more why I tried so hard to help them, if not one of them was taking me seriously! But the questions didn't stop..."that was awesome, you looked like a professional out there..but why didn't you tell us you could ski?"

I finally lost my temper, "I told every one of you I could water ski! I even went last to give some of you tips on getting up, so why are any of you so shocked?!" :grr:

One of them looked at me..chuckled and said "you do have a tendency to exaggerate things jp!"

I looked at him and asked "are you calling me a lier or can you really snowski?"

he smiled and said "no"..then quickly changed the subject!

shortly before I left that night, my professor stopped me after a great party and told me something else I'll never forget! he said when I jumped in with the slalom, they were all laughing and joking "what a fool I was going to look like falling down.."

He said that I had the last laugh, and should be very proud about that! I thanked him and left. But I still feel bad..honesty is something I've always prided myself on, and my willingness to help others before myself. How long did my fellow students view me as just another bragging chest thumper? How often do people doubt my words or honesty when I talk with them? Do any of you have this problem with people you know, and why does it happen? Worst of all..how many people who think we are dishonest, only tell us after our story becomes indisputable?