“A funny little tune, but it yielded some good things.”
I had a subordinate Sergeant one time, who wasn’t very good at leading Soldiers. He was “satisfactory” in every respect, never did anything wrong, but never showed initiative and only did the minimum. When it came time for an evaluation, I had to phrase it carefully.
I couldn’t say anything bad, because he hadn’t technically done anything wrong… he was just totally unremarkable in every respect.
The thing about military evaluations is that they have been subject to inflation over the years, so that people expect to see glorious and effusive hyperbole. To see a Soldier or Officer described as merely satisfactory is sometimes an insult.
Many years ago (30, in fact), my parents celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. My sister wanted to make it really special for them. She got them a cake just like the one at their wedding, she found their original bride and groom cake topper, and she organized a party. She spent a good deal of money on the whole thing.
She asked for my help, but I was in college at the time and living on $5 a week that I got from my parents. And I was far from home, so I couldn’t lend any physical help. I felt pretty helpless.
At the actual party, a family friend said “Thank you for all your help with this party.” I replied “Thanks, but I didn’t really do very much.” She said “I know, I was only kidding.”
She could be pretty caustic sometimes.
I think that crossed the line into straight-up sarcasm.
The thing was, the way she said it sounded really sincere.
“The author’s book is suitable for reading in the tub. If it falls down the drain, it falls down the drain.”
When I quit smoking, Mama Plant told me, “You don’t smell like an ashtray anymore”.
Any employer would be lucky to get drewtwo99 to work for them.
A new friend once responded to something I said with, “See! People think you’re dumb but you’re not dumb at all!” Nobody fucking thinks I’m dumb, but thanks, dude.
Then I got a super complimentary insult once. This will sound like stealth bragging but it’s not, because it came from my psycho ex who is just obsessed with me because he’s nuts. He said *so *hatefully, “You’re so pretty and smart and witty, but you can be so COLD!” He thinks “cold” is about the worst thing to be, but I’m actually okay with it.
- golf clap *
Very well done.
I’m so confused 
and hurt… I should feel hurt, right?
Edit: Just after leaving the thread, I got it! Haha!!!
“…irreverent life force.” Sticks fixedly in my craw.
You mean like the “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears” speech in Julius Caesar where Mark Anthony keeps calling the conspirators honorable men?
I can answer that since I’ve done it. “X took my course in math abc, linear calculus and got a mark of C.” Often there is nothing more I can say, so I don’t.
I have also written enthusiastic references and I can do that too.
There was a thread here on the subject a while ago. Damn the previous poster with faint praise …
So not Eva or Juan?
A woman I think is rather stupid said to me just last night “God, you really are funny. I don’t think you realise quite how hilarious you are”
Eh? I beg your pardon?
I’ve known for a while that I have a comical turn of phrase. People tell me that a lot, and I admit that I work at it. I also know that she’s never actually understood any of my one liners until last night.
The fact that Miss Dim could understand the joke can only mean means my standards must be slipping.
:smack: