Friday, October 8, 2010

Swedish Fish. One of many regrets.

Several months ago, I made a comment about Swedish Fish. I don't remember where (here? Twitter?) or even what exactly I'd said (I'm sure it was something positive) (because Swedish Fish are awesome), but shortly after making said comment, I received an email from a nice man over at Cadbury (which, apparently, is now Kraft?). He wanted to talk to me about what it was exactly I liked about the candy. (Dude. What's not to like?)

There was just one minor problem. The key word here is "talk." He said it was important to do said interview by phone. I begged. I pleaded. Please, Mr. Swedish Fish, can't we do it over e-mail??? Because I'm a total spaz and just thinking of trying to come up with clever, intelligent things to say made me break out in hives. How am I supposed to explain why I like Swedish Fish when I can't even explain it to myself?!

What would I have said? "Uh, they taste good." Yeah. Brilliant. You moron. (Yes, I'm talking to myself now.)

When Mr. Swedish Fish said that it was very important for him to hear tone of voice during an interview, I balked. I am a social retard. And I plain hate (hate!) talking on the phone. Especially with strangers.

(Quick story: Before I moved back to Orange County a few years ago, I applied for my job here at the hotel. My last and final interview took place via phone. It was with the hotel's resident manager. The highest up. I was dreading the interview (as I do all interviews) but especially this one 'cause I knew I had to impress. As we began, I started walking around. Something I did whenever I was on the phone. I find it impossible to sit and talk. It's just not normal. So, there I was trying to be amazing and pacing all about when suddenly I realized I was becoming a bit short of breath. And as soon as I had that thought, I really couldn't breath! I had no breath! There was no air! I WAS GOING TO DIE! And, worse, not get hired! I was in such a state of panic that I lost all train of thought. I froze at the next question. I don't even remember what it was. Finally, I had to say "I don't know." I DON'T KNOW! Who answers an interview question with "I don't know?" Apparently, I do. Hey, I got the job. Jokes on them! But the experience? Scarred me for life.)

Anyway, I'm sad to say this Swedish Fish story goes nowhere. I never replied to the e-mail, never called. And I regretted it almost immediately. I told myself it wasn't important, nothing would have come of it. But who knows? Maybe something fantastic would have happened. At the very least, free Swedish Fish? DID I PASS UP FREE CANDY? The thought haunts me.

I'm tired of always doing what feels comfortable. Comfortable is nice and safe and boring. Maybe at this point in my life, I look for comfortable. But I don't want to be this person who is too shy or scared to try new things. LIKE TALK ON THE PHONE.

And I certainly don't want to have a long list of regrets. Or miss out on free candy.

11 comments:

  1. Feeling your pain....I trip over my own tongue during interviews. Imagine my horror when I went for my current job interview...got there appropriately early and after the paperwork was complete I was told to have a seat, they would be with me shortly. THEY! THEY! What did she mean THEY? As in more than one? Amazingly I got the job after an interview with three people asking me one question after another. I remember I answered one with "you know, stuff". Seriously....stuff. :)

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  2. You can practice talking on the phone with me. Start answering one call a week (yes, while it's still ringing! A call back does not count!) and then work up to more and go from there. Over time, you will be more comfortable with things. I also don't want to regret the things I didn't do. For instance, the hubby does not like going anywhere with people he might have to talk to. He always wants to leave a party or social situation within an hour. I, on the other hand, love to be around people once I get there (most of the time I am too tired and out of energy to go anywhere). I don't like leaving early! The hubby and I have been talking about taking two cars to places so he can leave early and I can stay late. But, I also notice I do it with other things also. If he doesn't want to do something, I will stay home because I want to be with him and then I regret not going. It really bites.

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  3. Yeah, I'm with ya.I don't know if introvertedness fuels writing or if writing exacerbates introvertedness, but I definitely think it's a dog chasing it's tail.Or maybe it's the chocolate?What's Swedish Fish?

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  4. You're intentionally trying to make MY head explode, aren't you? www.swedishfish.com/

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  5. I'm the same way with talking on the phone. Email is perfect for me. I can't understand people that don't like email! Try taking small steps towards doing things that you think you will regret missing out on later in life. I'm a lot older than you and I can tell you that there are many things I regret not doing just because of my shyness. I'm trying now to do things that I'm not totally comfortable with because I see that my shyness has affected my children, and I don't like that at all. Maybe you can try calling the Swedish Fish guy now. Think of it as a bloggable tiny adventure! And a step away from future regrets.

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  6. I'm not shy at all and I don't understand shyness. I love talking to people. I'll talk to anyone about anything. The walking and talking on the phone I get. I do that all the time. It's frustrating to sit at my desk when I get a call because then I'm chained to my desk while talking. But when I'm on my cell phone, I walk all over the place. Tom will sometimes get up and shut his door because I'll walk from my office down the hall into his office while I'm talking.

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  7. I never understood carnauba wax in all the candies.

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  8. I seriously just wrote a post about regrets - feeling the same way. I get scared to get out of my comfort zone. I have to start doing things that scare me!

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  9. Hmmmm.Looks wonderful. But ya know what?- your stuff looks WAY better.

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  10. fuck. imagine missing out on free candy.....I feel your pain.

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  11. Who says this guy was really from Cadbury? He could be a psycho.

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