Since when have you worn glasses? My grandfather asked when we visited for Christmas. Thinking he was joking I said, Since I was six, as I gave him a hug and moved on to give my grandmother the same. Really? He asked my mom. My mom confirmed that this was indeed true. Do you wear contacts? He asked me. Well, yeah. I replied, somewhat mystified that someone who has known me all my life (and fairly well, too. Until I was in college I saw them at least once a month during the school year and I spent a week or two every summer there.) didn’t know that I wore glasses.
I’m used to the idea that people I run into at school don’t realize that I have poor eyesight. It was quite an adjustment to make, though. Seeing as how I hailed from a rather small-ish town and people would still remark about how I looked my better in contacts (despite the fact that I’ve worn them since I was 13). Or people in my peer group still remember who I “dated” in the third grade (by dated, I mean we sat far apart from each other during lunch and my friends would giggle whenever he remotely came within my vicinity).
But I think because of growing up in such an environment I pay much more attention to other people’s quirks than most people do. I know that Advisor doesn’t like the taste of plain water. Dr. Man hates the feel of jeans. Roommate always sits on the right of people. So, I have to remind myself that it doesn’t mean that I’m unimportant if people don’t remember that I wear glasses or that I don’t drink soda or that we were supposed to meet to talk about the status of my Important Project Central to Thesis.
I’m sorry someone forgot your meeting. But I think it’s really cool that you notice people’s little quirks.
I love how you snuck that one in there 🙂 I sympathize – it is my resolution for this year to not let this kind of behavior upset me. But darn, is it difficult!!
Ooh, sorry to hear about the forgotten important meeting. ouch.
I notice little things about people too, and have learned that I have to be careful not to comment on those things because it weirds people out. I always notice when people get haircuts or new glasses, which they like to know. But it makes them uncomfortable to know that I noticed they changed their laundry detergent or just how they twiddle thier hair.
People have been surprised that I have glasses too…and I have never worn contacts. But I think sometimes things are such a part of you that people just don’t notice them, as least people who aren’t very observant. Can I say though that occasionally I have been surprised by someone, like an old high school classmate, who on seeing me 7 years in the future exclaims “I knew it was you because you are the only one who walks that way!”.