Being misunderstood

I am sorry to hear that you are feeling pretty low today - I wish for you: a more restful afternoon.

It sounded to me like you just had their cat's best interest in your heart. 

Particularly as you were aware the cat had been at your house a lot recently - and that possibly the pet owners may not have had the same amount of opportunity to notice the cat's shedding fur situation.

People can get stressed before a weekend away.  Let us hope they might have reconsidered their response - once they have had the chance to settle back into their home-life usual routines.

(I think that you tried your best, with good intent, sometimes comments just do not "land" how we might have hoped - and sometimes that is not of our influence or control).

Unfortunately, I also experienced a misunderstanding recently - probably "least said, soonest mended" - as the saying goes!

However, I will admit that I have since caught myself thinking about it now and again.  I really do not think, even with the benefit of hindsight, that I could have conducted myself better / differently.

In the instance of my particular "misunderstand-ee" - I have noticed them be really terse / harsh comment / flat-out rude - just towards me - at every meeting opportunity - and always in front of at least another person who knows them more than either of them know me yet - which is really odd - as I am so new to that group of people.

I have not taken the bait on any of my "misunderstand-ee" rounds of attempted provocation - and I do think other people have noticed that is the case. 

The last time I encountered them - I received a polite (albeit, grumpy, ...like someone had msybe had a word and told them to buck up their performance) "how are you?".  Baby steps of progress indeed!

Maybe, my "misunderstand-ee" is struggling with their own serious baggage - unknown to me.  Who knows. 

It is up to them to share with me their story (if that is appropriate). 

People in great physical / emotional pain, or stress, can sometimes exhibit unusual behaviour.  I suppose time will be my educator.

Therefore, I shall persevere with giving them space (to hopefully warm-up to me - at their own pace). 

In any event, I have decided not to become drawn into their vortex of odd behaviour. 

I am not there to become part of the entertainment!

I've had a message subsequently saying they get what I was doing and why...but it reminds . triggers so many memories of incidents when similar has happened.

Sorry your experiences has been so negatifve too.

I am glad they sent you a message (once they had the chance to thing about that interaction and your intent).  That sounds like an important step forward.

I understand what you mean about a current incident reminding you about the echo of prior incidents.  Almost as though we have not been fortunate to acquire a suitable"archive" function. 

I try to remind myself: "...this is now ...that was then".

Thank you for the kindly comment about my latest experience - I just felt a bit blind-sided at the time - as it started from, literally, the very first interaction with the person, plus, I had zero expectation of any issue being likely (due to the total lack of any prior history or context between us). 

Mantra: perseverance will prevail!

I am glad they sent you a message (once they had the chance to thing about that interaction and your intent).  That sounds like an important step forward.

I understand what you mean about a current incident reminding you about the echo of prior incidents.  Almost as though we have not been fortunate to acquire a suitable"archive" function. 

I try to remind myself: "...this is now ...that was then".

Thank you for the kindly comment about my latest experience - I just felt a bit blind-sided at the time - as it started from, literally, the very first interaction with the person, plus, I had zero expectation of any issue being likely (due to the total lack of any prior history or context between us). 

Mantra: perseverance will prevail!