Wednesday 11 August 2010

Can we be friends?

I like to think I am an honest girl. I like people to know exactly what kind of person they are dealing with from the start. I don't think I own any pretenses. Some times this means I over share. I think you know what I mean.

I try to reign it in on my blog... writing things down means that I spew it out on the screen and then go back and delete if needed. The luxury of going back and deleting is not afforded when I am having a conversation with a friend or colleague. That is when I tend to over share. If it is pertinent to my story, I will give you a detailed background to my life. My life hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows, so the listener usually receives some tawdry detail along the way.

A few people that I know have commented (positively) on my honesty recently and it got me to thinking. There may be some who do not appreciate the kind of honesty that I offer. I am not an over talker (I don't think. Correct me if I'm wrong). I know when to shut up. So I am not writing about being an over talker. I am writing about someone feeling uncomfortable about the information I have shared with them.

In my own happy world everyone enjoys my company and wants to be my friend. I know that in reality there must be people who don't want to be a part of my life (sad, but true).

So, tell me. If you and I were having a face to face conversation, would you feel uncomfortable if I told you that I once had to run naked down a long street to distract the terrorists long enough for my family to escape from the sewer in which they were being held hostage?

All within the context of our conversation of course. Seriously, where do you draw the line between "yeah, we could be friends" and "oops, she's crazy"?

10 comments:

Amelia Smith said...

I don't think you're crazy :) I'm known to be very honest, perhaps brutally honest at times... but I appreciate others who are as well. I would rather be friends with someone who is honest as opposed to fake. I can't stand fake people who only say what they think others would find appropriate.

Natalie said...

I wouldn't be uncomfortable, I'd want details! Please, overshare as much as you possibly can. In my humble opinion, that's what makes a good blog.

Melanie said...

I agree. As an over sharer myself, I appreciate others who have the same tendency. :)

aaapetersen@gmail.com said...

Helen, LOL, Every time I see your blog title, a booming "Why can't we be Friends," song rolls through my head. I think it's great that you tell it like is! I will say though that you are nothing like the "blunt" that has been sterio typed today. You are not like the rare few blunts who are preaching/bossy blunts or belittling blunts who claim slef-truths. You share your ideals and family life through a perspective that is uniquely you and true, yet unselfish and honest. I really appreciate your refreshing perspective. I, myself feel misunderstood, I have a hard time finding things interesting enough to actually care to bother disagreeing with. I find most topics in superficial girl world to mundane to bother with, but when there is something that I disagree on, I will pipe up like nobodys buisness. I find God gave us each a voice for a reason. To answer your question, no, wouldn't feel uncomfortable, but would love to hear more.

Essie said...

Love it! And love you! Love your blog, love your honesty, love your gorgeous family... could go on a bit. I reckon if anyone was to feel uncomfortable about your honesty or over-sharing or whatever you want to call it then they shouldn't read your blog! Your blog is yours and personally I love it when you do a new post!

Anonymous said...

I love reading your blog. Fingers crossed this actually works!!

That Girl said...

I'm an open book "over-share-er" myself.

To me, if my listeners don't like it, we'd never be good friends anyway.

Melinda said...

I personally can't help but like someone who shares warts and all.

Alison Wonderland said...

Any story involving someone running down the street naked is ok with me.

Unknown said...

Where the heck did i find your blog .. not quite sure???

But I've been enjoying looking around ... this post especially made me laugh because I think I overshare a lot :)