A Flash in the Pan
Have you
ever been put in your place? You know,
complained about something and then had someone hit you with the perfect retort
that shut you up real quick; I have.
Actually due to a lack of a verbal filter I have been put in my place
lots of times, but one in particular really stuck with me.
Let me start
off by saying I do not like Frank Sinatra's music, and in the New York, New
Jersey area that opinion borders on heresy.
Italian restaurants in particular play a lot of Sinatra. One night while dining with friends I had to
speak up about the constant Sinatra music that was playing.
“I don’t get
it, what is it about Sinatra? To me all
his songs sound alike. He has no range,
he can hit maybe two octaves, (like I really understand what an octave is) I
don’t get why he is such a big deal.”
My one
friend in particular was very fond of Sinatra.
He could have argued with me. He
could have talked about how Sinatra is brilliant with his phrasing and tempo
and style. He could have talked of his
success, his record sales, his huge turnouts for live performances, and the
fact that he is known as “The Chairman of the Board.”
Instead he
simply looked me in the eye and said, “Your right, he is probably just a flash
in the pan.”
I fell off
my chair laughing. Just because
something is not your cup of tea, it is all right to say it is not your style
or you prefer something else, but you need to recognize that there is some attraction
that lots of other people get. If you
hold an opinion that is in the minority, that minority position is often well
justified.
I don’t like
Sinatra music, I don’t like opera, I don’t like Broadway Musicals, I don’t like
Rap, I don’t like action movies, I don’t like Shakespeare, I don’t like figure
skating (Well I do like watching the ladies skate backwards) but I do recognize
that it is just me and these things are popular for a reason. All these things have been around for a long
time.
None are
just a flash in the pan.
I have the feeling that SOMEDAY Sinatra will catch on!!
ReplyDeleteDamn, that probably means celery is here to stay doesn't it ...
ReplyDeleteI've been put in my place a time or two, but that doesn't stop me blurting out what I shouldn't.
ReplyDeletelike your witty friend :)
ReplyDeleteGood to have such a quick wit as your friend.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way with grits. I just don't get it. What's with putting little, tiny, bumpy things floating around in paste into your mouth for consumption?
ReplyDeleteTHAT'S what grits is?? Urk!
DeleteIt's like the old Elvis album, "50 Million Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong."
ReplyDeleteAt a certain point, what can you say?
You're friends response was just perfect. Had me laughing. Lots of things I just don't understand why they are so popular.
ReplyDeleteLima beans!
ReplyDeleteSee, I love Lima beans!!
DeleteI love your friends response. Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI don't like a lot of things and I love a lot of other things. If you don't like something it's fine with me. Carry on.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
“Your right, he is probably just a flash in the pan.”
ReplyDeleteLOL. This friend is a keeper.
And obviously, Sinatra is, too.
It's only been in the last few years that I've come to appreciate the music of Frank Sinatra. I always thought of him as an old fart from my parent's era but now I do like his singing, maybe because I'm older.
ReplyDeleteOk points to your friend. I actually laughed out loud.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully funny. Your friend's response exemplifies that less is more.
ReplyDeleteIt's tough when someone puts us in our place by sort of agreeing with us. I have tried liking Sinatra as well as a few of the others. Just can't seem to get past the same things you mention. His music all sounds the same to me. No range, no depth, no variation. But hey, what do I know?
ReplyDeleteSomewhat similar, in '85 a cousin who was a software programmer and a CPA was offered jobs at Intuit and Microsoft. After pondering for a couple days he said that he didn't think Microsoft was going anywhere, and started with Intuit. We still bring it up at get family events.
ReplyDeleteDiane, crumple up some bacon bits, add butter and salt and cheese, and you have what would be considered a real breakfast around here. Think polenta, but for breakfast, and jazzed up a lot.
ReplyDeleteSome things aren't my favorites, so i sympathize with your position, and i keep my mouth shut if everyone else likes it.
I still can't figure out how NANCY Sinatra ever made a record...
ReplyDeleteLOL at your friend's response! I admire people with a quick wit like that. I can think of really witty, clever retorts, too...usually about three days after the situation has passed.
ReplyDeleteI don't know. I think the kid's got a future.
ReplyDeleteBut joeh, it doesn't mean that all those people are right.
ReplyDelete