Good for you

I was coming out of the gym this morning and ran into a mom from our daycare and school.

Me: “Good Morning”

Her: “Hi! Did you just workout?”

I was disgustingly sweaty — I don’t shower at the gym, mostly because my house is a block away and also because I am a child and the women’s change room is a little scary to me. I once saw a naked woman having a pretty serious, in depth conversation with another naked woman after they had come out of the shower. They were drying themselves and one of the women — while talking — lifted her large breast and was drying underneath it with great enthusiasm/detail and then proceeded to do this to her other breast. All while she was talking to her naked friend who was drying her vajayjay (just so you know I always use the word vagina with my kids… I don’t want them to be crazy like me). This scene, although completely natural, scarred me. I told you, I am a child. A child with issues.

Me: “Yes, I have a meeting at 10 today so I thought I’d get my workout in early.”

Her: “I saw your husband drop the kids off earlier.”

Me: “I’m happy to hear they made it. I had to workout early today otherwise I’d never get to the gym.”

Her: “Good for you.”

…

There it is. Good. For. You. I used to use this phrase, until one day, years before we were married my husband said to me, “Why do you say that? It sounds so condescending.”

Since then I’ve not used it. I understand what he means. Every time someone says this to me, I now think that they must have some hidden hatred towards me, or that they are mocking me somehow. For this I have my husband to thank.

This was how it used to be:

“Hey Sandy! I just won the lottery!”
“Good for you!” How lucky… it really was good for her!

“I’m going to The Galapagos for three months this summer.”
“Good for you! I love sea lions!” I was genuinely happy, but according to my husband she now thinks I’m a jealous bitch because THAT is on MY bucket list.

“I just got promoted to CEO at work!”
“Good for you!” She’s such a smart, hard working lady and this is soooo good for her!!!

I thought I was praising these people. But according to my husband, “Good for you” is sarcastic and condescending. It really means: Isn’t that just great? And don’t you think you’re so special? Who gives a crap? I hate you. You suck. I’m jealous. Oh yes, your life is so good and mine is so shit. You’re better than me obviously…

A phrase that I once used happily and non-condescendingly is now loaded and forever tainted. Even if the person saying it to me is a smiling friend and genuinely saying “Good for you!” I always hear my husband’s voice whispering in my ear, “What a bitch! I can’t believe she said that to you!”

I’m a little dramatic I know. Good for me.

 

 

Disclaimer: In no way do I think that this lovely lady was being condescending to me. I believe that her “Good for you” was genuine. Or was it? GAH. By the way, was this good for you?