Speaking Up

A friend and I went on an overnight trip. In the morning for breakfast, she ordered an omelet with three ingredients. It came with two of the added ingredients. When she looked at the bill, she noticed she did not get one of them. I suggested she mention it when we were finished eating so it can be deducted from the bill. Initially, she said since it was only 50 cents, it was not big deal. When we got up to the counter to pay, she did say something and it was deducted.

A few weeks before, my husband and I went out for breakfast. The server did not write down our order. My order came back wrong. When I said something about getting the wrong meal, the server hesitated then said they’d have to make a new one. It seemed to me that even though it wasn’t what I wanted, I should just eat it anyway. In my past, I would have done just that as I did not want to inconvenience anyone. This time, I did insist it be corrected.

It has been a long process for me to be able to say something and to assert myself for what I do want. Growing up, I just had to take it. If I dared said something, I would get the pushback, like what I wanted and needed wasn’t important so I had to l earn to shut up. When I began to affirm what I wanted, even when it begins with something small. If we are used to deferring because we don’t want to be a bother, it is easy to let this slide, over and over again. Well, I have learned that I am important, too! I have wants and needs. We all have them.

So when my friend asked to be credited for something she did not receive, I was cheering for her. It is more than saving 50 cents; it was her speaking up and being acknowledged. Being such a small thing is a really big thing.