On Friday I asked my (young, trendy) physiotherapist what he was up to for the weekend and he told me he had no plans. I was a little incredulous and looked intently at him "But you're young, don't young people always have plans?"
He responded that he "likes to be spontaneous" and I made approving noises.
Then he went to the patient on the other side of the curtain who asked the weekend question and suddenly Mr Spontaneous was going to some kind of Oktoberfest event.
I laughed a little. It must be exhausting to remember what he says to who.
I never make stuff up but I do make a story what I want it to be. I have talked here about the quirks and peccadilloes of my colleagues and it's all true but I really need to make a disclaimer. I like my workplace and I like the people, I have come across much worse in my time.
Do you embroider a story?
No, I don't embroider, but I do tell it to emphasize the amusing parts. He probably took a bit to remember what he was doing over the weekend...lol.
ReplyDeletelol, maybe he did take a bit to remember?
DeleteMy mother's influence means I try very hard NOT to embroider. Like Linda I may shift the emphasis.
ReplyDeleteI play up some bits of a story and down play others and I sort of thought it was very close to embroidery but according to all your responses I may not be guilty!
DeleteI don't think I embroider a story but memory and time certainly change my stories. How's that for an excuse?
ReplyDeletememory is completely unreliable, numerous tests have shown it, so it's an excuse based in science!
DeleteI certainly do not add untruths, but I will willfully omit things in order to emphasize anything I consider funny or amusing. And I will amplify my foibles to be the butt of a joke or mishap.
ReplyDeleteyes, yes and yes!
DeleteI may use different language to increase impact of the punchline but, otherwise, no, I don't embroider my stories.
ReplyDeleteyes, you are quite factual in your language
DeleteNo embroidery, but some editing usually happens because I have seen how other people tell a story to great effect and I like to make people laugh. One of my favourite uncles could tell a story to make you roll on the floor, and it was his dry delivery and pauses in just the right places that did it. His stories were long, too, but he almost always got near the end and inserted the line "to shorten up a long story" which sent me into another tear-inducing fit of laughter.
ReplyDeleteisn't it lovely to have a memory like that!
DeleteI have a great memory and often recall details long forgotten by others when I tell a story. I try to make it interesting/exciting perhaps white-lying a bit to enhance. Your therapist buddy sounds like he assesses his audiences before throwing his plans out?
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
That was my assessment of what was happening.
DeleteNo, I very seldom embroider a story, as the other person might at some point realise it was embroidered and from then on they'll doubt anything I tell them.
ReplyDeletemy trust in what a person says is somewhat dependent on context. If you were obviously aimimg to entertain I would expect some exaggeration etc. If you were talking about something serious, not so much
DeleteIt depends what you mean by "embroider" Kylie. If "embroider" means exaggerate and stretch the truth then I am not guilty. But if "embroider" means try to tell the story in an interesting and engaging manner then yes - I am guilty.
ReplyDeleteI believe you, Mr stilt-legs-looking-into-windows!
DeleteI edit myself almost constantly, especially in writing, but also in speaking, I suppose. I'm always trying to "tighten up" the story. The Society for Technical Communication used to say "Make every sentence clear, understandable at the first reading." It takes work. You have to use action verbs. Avoid passive voice. When dangling, watch your participles. That last one's a joke. Here's another: Proofread your writing to see if you any words out.
ReplyDeleteYorkshire Pudding not exaggerate and stretch the truth? Riiiight!!!
My stories are tight and my verbs are active. I don't have any dangly bits and my poof reading is limited!
DeleteYP is a fine upstanding ex-teacher, how would you even think of questioning him?
Of course, it's artistic license. If I just told you about my real life...well...it's a snooze fest!
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased someone is admitting to artistic licence!
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