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Ever been mortified by something you said?

(85 Posts)
joannapiano Mon 05-Mar-18 09:58:18

When I was working in reception at a hospital, a tall figure, over six feet, approached the desk. I said "How can I help you sir?". And they replied "I'm a madam." From then on I always kept my glasses on.

judylow Mon 05-Mar-18 09:57:07

Don’t worry Sazz1066 someone once thought by best friend was my daughter.

Teetime Mon 05-Mar-18 09:36:22

Soooooo many!!!!!

grannyqueenie Sun 04-Mar-18 22:19:51

When I was a mum of teenagers, the husband of another local mum died quite unexpectedly. A number of us got together to help with making food for after the funeral. When I went round the deliver my contribution I was a bit nervous and very anxious not to say the wrong thing. So when my friend thanked me profusely and said how kind we’d all been I responded by saying “you’re welcome, we’re only trying to kill you with kindness”. I wished that the ground would swallow me up but we just hugged each other helpless with a mixture of laughter and tears.

cornergran Sun 04-Mar-18 22:16:44

Far too many to recount blush

Marydoll Sun 04-Mar-18 21:49:15

The last time I went to the GN meet up in Edinburgh, I got chatting to an elderly gentleman waiting for the train. He told me he had travelled quite a distance and was going to a funeral. "Well, you have a great day", I said. Then I realised what I had said and apologised. "Oh, don't worry about it, I'm actually looking forward to it."

Sazz1006 Sun 04-Mar-18 21:14:51

I’m 61 now but am still mortified by something I said as a 19year old student nurse. There was a lovely lady admitted with arthritis and she had visitors one afternoon. I went up to her after visiting and said ‘oh aren’t you and your daughter alike’ and she replied ‘that’s my older sister’.She then pointed me out and told everyone who visited what I’d said. I’ve never forgetten how dreadful I felt and have never made any comment regarding age since!

lemongrove Sun 04-Mar-18 20:48:49

No need to feel mortified by that, he just didn’t really understand you.
When I was a young Mum, living in Cornwall, I used to drive a few older ladies to church sometimes ( the church was just a walk for me, but they needed a car, so people took turns taking them.) I didn’t know them well, but just chatting, I said I had heard that a local man had dropped dead in the supermarket car park a couple ofweeks ago.
One of these ladies said quietly “yes, it was my husband”.
Naturally I apologised profusely, but she smiled and said, “
Don’t worry, you weren’t to know”.
I felt awful about it for ages.

DiscoGran Sun 04-Mar-18 20:40:26

Don't feel bad, I think he must have misunderstood you, you were just being friendly!

giulia Sun 04-Mar-18 20:35:17

On a Parish-organised minibus drive, I was sitting by a young Philippine and started chatting to him as everyone else was ignoring him. At one point, I asked him what his favourite food was. He stared at me in puzzlement and then said "ALL food is good!" I could have bitten off my tongue. He really put me in my place - and quite right too!