Bollocky

I had my first minor setback tonight.

I went to Salsa classes, which on a Friday is in a different town to the Monday classes but as convenient for me (in fact, slightly more so). The venue is a bar with a function room out back, and as I walked in it wasn’t clear where the class was. But there were a bunch of drunk and raucous guys sat down in the bar area.

The barman saw I was lost and asked me if I was here for the Salsa, and I nodded and he said it had been relocated to the Scout hut a few doors down, so I said thanks and turned to leave.

Well, my voice must have been the ‘tell’, because one of the blokes yelled out “‘Ere, it’s a bloke” and another then shouted “Orright, bollocky?” and then they all started jeering as I walked away. So I turned, gave them a pitying look, loudly said “Well aren’t you a f*cking comedian?” and then carried on walking away to more jeering and invitations to come back and say that again (aren’t men so brave when they’re in a group, huh?), so I flicked them the V’s (which got a cheer) and walked out. Wankers.

I guess all girls have to put up with shit like this from time to time, but it did seem particularly horrid and bullying. I wasn’t hurting anyone and I didn’t pose a threat to anyone. I was just someone to pick on to make the grunting Neanderthals feels better about themselves. So brave!

I thought I put a fairly brave face on it and didn’t show I was upset, but I was upset inside of course. Especially as it played on my mind after. But fortunately my friend turned up then and gave me some sympathy and moral support. Yay!

Anyway, Salsa classes were brilliant tonight and everyone was so nice there. It cheered me up again immensely.

I always knew I would have to deal with something like this sooner or later, and wondered how far it would set me back. And the answer is ‘not really that much at all’. I wasn’t scared of the blokes; I pity them. I pity their tiny bullying closed minds and the meanness of spirit that needs to denigrate others to feel good about themselves.

So, onwards and upwards. And I have more laser tomorrow. Pew!Pew!

I think perhaps a few sessions of Voice Therapy might be needed in amongst the laser visits though.