My latest from the front line of rejection therapy? It’s coffee related. Again. Even my self-help life is very limited..
Anyway, on Monday I was in my local coffee shop and asked for a free coffee. Here’s what happened.
I went up to the till.
‘Do you want to pay?’ said lovely owner.
‘Not really,’ I said, with a smile. ‘Can I have it for free?’
Owner: ha ha!
Me: ‘No really, can I have it for free?’
Owner (smiling): ha ha!
Me: ‘So I CAN’T have it for free?’
Owner (still smiling but now it’s a sad, tired smile): It helps if you pay. We’re very quiet today..
We both look forlornly at the semi deserted premises – with three people hunched over their laptops with empty cups, not drinking or eating a thing.
Me: Is it the rain, do you think? Why is it so quiet?
Owner: I don’t know. Maybe. Things are hard, the rents are going up, we’re not sure how much longer we can stay open…
Me: Oh no!!
We then have a very depressing conversation about how Costa has driven up rents in the area and how it’s almost impossible for independents to compete. I end up feeling so worried for them I leave a £1 tip for my £1.60 coffee. As I left I realised how skilfully he handled that conversation, he didn’t actually say no and I ended up paying almost double. Good for him! There’s hope his business yet!
But in the name of fairness I went across the road to said Costa and asked them for a free coffee.
Me: I had one of those cards with the stamps on to get a free coffee but I lost it, could I have a free coffee anyway?
Teenager behind the counter, perfectly pleasant: We don’t do those cards anymore so no, sorry.
Me: No worries.
Her: Would you like to buy a coffee?
Me: No, thanks.
I flounce out. Take that Big Business! I’m fighting for the man! Or against the man?! I never really understand those phrases…
But my point was made. Sort of. Not really.
Thing is, I’m now typing this, four days later, in a Costa… I feel too embarrassed to go back to my regular place. I’m an idiot.
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Fantastic news! Can’t wait to read it! Funny was just thinking I hadn’t heard from you for a while only this morning! Spooky
Thank you Louize, it’s funny how that works, isn’t it?
At last. Congratulations and more well deserved.
So all that blood sweat and tears have paid off.
I’m very pleased for you, it’s made my day hearing from you.
I will be moving next week into the unknown with a new puppy
and thanks to you I’ve taken the chance of a new chapter in my life
Continue the good work.
Thank you, Karen. Where are you moving to? Tell me more – good luck with everything. Be brave. New chapters are scary but good. Keep in touch. xx
Congratulation 🙂
Thank you, Cisco! How are you? I hope you are well. I’m still using your pen. xx
Hurrah!
Indeed! Thanks Helen. xx
I’m thrilled for you, that’s utterly wonderful…! Well done, xxxxx
Thanks Niki, I hope you are well? How’s life? xx
I’m so thrilled for you!! Dancing ’round the room on your behalf xxx
Thank you Susan! Dancing down under… I love it. Thank you for being such a great cheerleader throughout all of it – it meant such a lot. xx
Congratulations. Such great news. You’re an inspiration – you believed in something and kept doggedly on even when times weren’t so easy. Well done. I’ve loved reading your posts – they’ve been insightful and entertaining. Can’t wait to hear what the next bit of new is.
Thank you Helen – it felt very dogged!!! But worth it now, thank god. How are you? Thanks for the lovely words – I’ll be blogging more regularly from now on.
Well done Marianne, I have followed you from the beginning.
So great to hear of your success. I wish you all the best, you deserve it.
Maria
Thank you very much, Maria. It’s lovely to hear you’ve been reading since the beginning. More to come… x
This is awesome news Marianne!! You’ve cheered up my day 100% xxx
Thank you Claire Chick! xxx
I’m sure we decided about 3 years ago at one of Claire’s parties who would play you in the film but now I can’t remember who we settled on!
Amy Adams!!
YAAAAAYYY!!! As I said on FB, it’s brilliant news and so well deserved. I can’t wait to read it!! xxxx
Thank you Elizabeth – got there in the end. Hope all your writing is too?
So very pleased for you I know what a traumatic few years it’s been for you! At last a light at the end of the tunnel and not just a light a huge bright shining starlight. You deserve it and may you now go from strength to strength. Well done!
SueX ( Sarah’s mum)
Thank you Sue – 2016 was a bad one but we got through it. Thank you for your support. xx
Fantastic news, Im so pleased for you .YYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh. My. God! You did it Marianne! So MASSIVELY MASSIVELY happy for you, proud for you and doing whoop whoops around the room here. I can’t wait to see who plays you in the film xxxx
Thank you Amanda – we got there in the end!!! Lovely to hear from you. I’ve been doing a lot of whooping too. I hope you are well. xxx
Fantastic, reminding of this quote I saw recently
“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” — Thomas Edison
You never gave up. Congrats.
Oh Una I love this quote. Thank you. I didn’t give up, it’s true. It was never even an option – even when things were hard. Lovely to hear from you. I hope you are well.
Congratulations! Can’t wait to read it all again 😊 and look forward to hearing your other news ….. xxx
ha ha – there are some new bits in there too Ali! Lovely to hear from you. xx
Marianne (or Bette Midler as you still are in my phone contacts – remember……??? !!)
Just saw your message and so, so pleased for you………..lots to say and ask and from here I’ll contact Rebecca and see if we cant get together. Have thought of you often and this is just great news
Much Love
Paul
Xx
Congratulations Marianne. So delighted to hear it all came right in the end. Get ready now for fame and maybe a little bit of fortune. xxx