mean

[boxofdelights]

I walked fast to get to SF book group, because I thought I would be late. I got there early and a little out of breath. James asked if I was rushing to set the book on fire. "No," I said. "Why? No!" We read The Stars My Destination this month. Yes, I can see all the sexism I didn't notice as a teenager, but I still like it.

Then we went upstairs to where we talk. First we go around the room and say what else we've been reading, and whether we recommend it. I said I had nothing worth mentioning. Jacqie asked if there was anything I particularly hated, I said yes but it wasn't SF. She said she'd enjoy hearing what I thought of it anyway, so I talked about The Whip, by Karen Kondazian, and then asked, "Do you think of me as someone who is mean about books?"

Jacqie said no, she thought I was always interesting about books, but I think "Do you think I'm mean?" is a question you would not answer yes even in part unless you were really good friends and had had a chance to think it over.

I don't mean to be mean, but I do want to be funny, and if I have to choose between "not mean" and "funny", I will often choose funny.

If I've been mean to you, though, I didn't mean to, and I will appreciate it if you tell me and give me the chance to apologize.

Comments

[lilysea]

I've never noticed you being mean. ^_^

[boxofdelights]

Good to know!

[malnpudl]

This made me do a *headtilt*.

For what it's worth, "mean" is not a word that has ever occurred to me in reference to you. Not even close.

[sasha_feather]

I don't think I'd ever put you and "mean" in the same room.

I enjoy it when people are critical about media.

[snippy]

Mean is not a word on a list I would use about you. And I would ask the question about what somebody hated because I think that is important both about the book and to learn about the person better.

being mean?

[bibliofile]

I agree with the others that "mean" is far from things that I associate with you. Mind, I've only ever interacted with you in the context of conventions (WisCon plus that one 4th Street), which is fairly narrow. I'm sure you could probably manage to be mean, should you want to be and/or given the right context.

Re: being mean?

[bibliofile]

Because y'know the job of parenting requires you to be occasionally mean to your kids (no more ice cream! stop hitting that thing!). Also, you're only human.

I find the timing interesting, because I've been considering this same problem (am I mean?) for entirely coincidentally. Are you asking for a particular reason?

I think I know what you mean about choosing funny vs. not-mean. Sarcasm and irony often rely on a bit of sharpness, I think (though it is also possible to go rather farther than might be preferable).

[jinian]

Out of the two of us, I definitely think I'm the meaner one. :)