I think that one of my most useful and maddening attributes is that I will regularly open my mouth and say something very smart that I didn’t realize I knew.
For example: a couple of years ago, someone made the comment that I’m “so weird.”
“I beg your pardon,” said I, “I am perfectly normal for me.”
This was such a relief. It’s true! Inky fingers: normal for me. Love of both schmancy meals and fish sticks: totally normal. Glee for dichotomy: run of the mill. Holding two contradictory opinions at once: standard. Viewing the sun as an enemy: practically hard-wired. Hatred of peaches: in the operating instructions.
Since then, I have become an evangelist of my own normality. “You are a honey-roasted nutbar, V.” “No I’m not! I’m normal for me!”
And, like any recent convert, I figured that because I found this idea to be liberating and comforting, so would everyone else.
“Ooo, *giggle* I’m such a weirdo!” one friend said.
“Naw. You’re normal for you!” I said.
And I watched as she briefly considered setting me on fire.
Turns out, some people are comforted by the thought of being complete weirdies who are Misunderstood By The World. Huh!
Far be it from me to learn a lesson the first time. I spent a good six months trumpeting the Personal Normality Theory to people and getting Napalm Eyes in return. So, okay. I shut the hell up.
About other people, anyhow. I still insist that I am a Perfectly Normal Virginia.
If only all Virginias were as perfectly normal as you. Lady who loves peanut butter shakes and fried pickles.
I love this concept! It is very much in line with how I generally view my friends: if I find out about someone’s personal quirk that they’re willing to share with me, it makes me love them more, because it makes them more uniquely them and it also means that they’re the sort of person who is willing to embrace their own uniqueness. Man, that sentence was terrible because of English’s lack of a non-gendered singular third person pronoun.
“I’m normal for me” is clever because it is tautological whether you are weird or normal. “You’re normal for you” is not clever but rather kind of condescending. You’re implying the person is nuts but doing their darned best to function in the real world god bless ’em.
We are all weird, in our own different ways. That way, there’s enough for everyone. Your peach-hate means more for my MIL, and anyone who offers to set you on fire should rethink. We’re all doing the best we can. And some of us have knives….
E: I DO love peanut butter shakes! I love them very much. Also: shakes made with almond butter and almond milk. Yes.
Daisie: Yes, exactly! I love the things about my loveys that are very THEM.
Droog: I agree about the condescending bit. In the US South, that can take the form of “Well, aren’t you an original,” or “She surely is very … herself.”
Gwyn: “We’re all doing the best we can” is one of those phrases that I try to remember every minute, as I work toward my Life Goal of “attempt to not be a jackass.”
This post is approved by Your Sister.
Oh dear. Was it me who wanted to set you on fire? And was it the chocolate milkshake/spinach salad/raisin toast incident?
Oh no, Gwyn, you’re in the clear. But please keep your chocolate shake and your raisin toast away from my spinach salad.
I remember once, years ago, when I was working at a bank (a very exciting job for someone bored by finance, I assure you), and I asked, “Can I just hand you this to deposit, or do I need to stand in line like a normal person?”
The person I was talking to gave me wide startled eyes, and assured me instantly that we were all normal, don’t be silly — oh, yeah, and of course you don’t need to go stand in line. I was completely taken aback, because a) it had been a joke, and b) why on earth would she think I wanted to be normal…? I was genuinely baffled!
I don’t cling to the image of myself as Tragically Misunderstood, or anything, but I rather assume I’m an odd duck, like most of my friends. I like being able to hide that fact when I feel it’s useful to, but I know the truth. However, you’re also right — I’m perfectly normal for me. 🙂