The Ruffled Feathers Incident: How Not to Make Friends at a Party
Plus, catch the latest news from Life In Michigan, along with our favorites for your next book, podcast, or new Substack.
Every Sunday Sip is free and always will be.
Hello there! This week we’ve got me. If you were hoping for Chuck, he’ll be back next week. I’ve got a short essay for you this week that I hope will give you a chuckle. Keep reading because after that, I’ve got all sorts of recommendations, along with the latest LifeinMichigan.com articles. Let’s get started.
The Ruffled Feathers Incident: How Not to Make Friends at a Party
She abruptly stood and sashayed away from me. Her husband, date, not sure what he was to her, was trailing behind her. She pitched what remained of the BBQ sandwich she had clutched in her hand into the trash, then submerged herself in the crowd standing around the stage. Just then, Chuck sat down and asked where the other couple was. “She didn’t like me,” I answered, still watching the wake she was creating in the crowd.
“What? How could that be?” Chuck said in a shocked voice.
“Yep, she definitely didn’t like me,” I replied.
When they sat down, I was engrossed in my phone, reading a Substack article. Chuck was somewhere, buying more beer, maybe? Taking pictures of the band? I’m not sure. It doesn’t matter; I was alone and a little bored. I knew no one, and the music wasn’t really my thing. Kind of a jamband, Grateful Dead vibe.
Behind me, two tween girls were doing cartwheels, seeing who had the better technique for flipping their braids over their shoulders, while another overly excited girl with grass stains on her dress was working her bubble gun, spraying bubbles like she was a machine gunner defending the front line. Her annoying bubbles kept landing on my phone’s screen, leaving a smear. So when the couple sat down, and I looked up from my phone, I felt like I was resurfacing from another world—a bit fuzzy and possibly cranky, but definitely thirsty for adults.
The conversation started with food. He’d ordered BBQ and thought he was getting pork, but got jackfruit instead, which he said was surprisingly good. She got the pork sandwich, which I noted she wasn’t willing to share. I’d gotten a chicken salad sandwich, which I said was a bit bready but ok.
So the conversation started amicably but quickly turned thorny. I admitted I didn’t know the bands playing. They were huge Deadhead fans and had driven from Elkhart, Indiana, for the show.
Looking back, our future rapport was likely doomed from the start.
They mentioned seeing a show at the Vineyard in PawPaw and were shocked by the ticket prices, so the $20 for this show was a steal. I shared I’d seen the Bacon Brothers there last year.
“Who?” they asked.
“You know, Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael.” I could tell this bit of information flummoxed them. So I said, “Vineyard is a fabulous venue.”
But they were still stuck on Kevin Bacon singing. I tried to explain, but it just confused them more. In my head, the Kenny Loggins classic “Footloose” was playing. (Yes, the Bacon Brothers played during their encore.) Thank God, I resisted the urge to hum a few bars. Mercifully, the conversation switched gears.
Turns out the sashaying woman is an ER nurse and wanted me to know she works 70 hours a week. Not finding the number notable and skipping over it (which was a huge faux pas), I asked if it was like The Pitt. You know, the HBO drama series that won all the awards.
This was the last straw for her.
“No, I don’t watch TV. I work 70 hours a week.” This is when she stood and left, leaving her sweatshirt on the table.
I couldn’t help but compare this conversation to Jessica Holmes’ Substack: “I can usually tell within 3 sentences if a travel story will work - what to do and what to avoid as a writer.”
It was evident within three minutes that any connection with her wasn’t going to work. It could have been the constant bubbles floating around our heads like a cloud of gnats, but I’m betting it was all the little things that annoyed her, starting with me looking at my phone. I suspect that she didn’t like me before I mentioned Kevin Bacon or The Pitt. But the TV show was definitely the last straw.
Funny thing is, I kept thinking of my improv classes, wishing I had one of my coaches sitting with us, offering feedback to nudge us back on track. “It’s not about that,” when we wandered way off track, talking about Kevin Bacon. And when “Miss Sashay” didn’t recognize the gifts I was handing her during our scene, they’d give her a gentle nudge. Plus, Miss Sashay was definitely not “Yes, and-ing” me. She was definitely a “no” girl.
Ok, so what have I learned?
Never mention The Pitt to an ER nurse. They don’t like it.
Kevin Bacon is not known for his musical career, so keep that in your hip pocket.
Don’t sit near the kid zone. Especially if you are not a kid person.
Reading Substack articles during a concert is not cool. It gives off a vibe that you are a mindless scroller.
My dear readers, what about you? Have you ever encountered a stranger who took an instant dislike to you?
The latest Life In Michigan Podcast episode is out!
Haunted Mitten Podcast: Beyond the Urban Legend
On this episode of the Life in Michigan Podcast, we welcome back our good friends Crysta K. Coburn and Kay Gray from the Haunted Mitten Podcast.
If you have an idea for a guest, email me (info@lifeinmichigan.com). We are looking for anyone who is creative and passionate, and who has a story to share about their Life In Michigan. Don’t be shy. Looking for older episodes? I was hoping you would ask. The full catalog is on our YouTube Channel.
The latest episode of Fans with Bands just dropped!
The GIG–The Art of Michigan Music Newsletter hit the internet.
Recent Life In Michigan Articles
LifeInMichigan.com covers the stories, community life, and cultural experiences that mainstream media often overlooks. Click on the image to read the whole article.
🗓️ Never Miss an Event: Chuck has been hard at work on our public Google Events Calendar. From book launches to local gigs, it’s all there. Subscribe to the Calendar
You’ll find things like this on the calendar! (Click on image for more information.)
I’ve got two fresh Substacks to entertain you this week!
I think it was Kevin’s Substack, “Unmapped,” that I was reading when Miss Sashay sat down.
We are planning an epic road trip for 2027, so I’m obsessed with the National Park Club Journal.
Plus a few old ones of ours.
Sunday Sip 🧐
In early winter, when I strolled into Chuck's office, a mysterious whiff of sandalwood hit me—mysterious because, trust me, Chuck isn’t into exotic scents. A quick search for the source uncovered nothing, no incense burner or candle. I inhaled deeply, scouring the air for another trace, but the scent had vanished into thin air.
Sunday Sip🤘
Welcome to your Sunday Sip, where I’m throwing down the gauntlet! I’m declaring that metal is the greatest form of music ever made. In the course of my painstaking and excruciatingly detailed research into this subject, I’ve discovered that most reggae music sucks!
Book Reviews
I just finished reading Ann Patchett’s “Whistler.” It was so good, I’m going to listen to it again. It is beautiful.
If you adore Ann’s novels, the Poured Over podcast from Barnes & Noble is a delightful listen. There are no spoilers, just a conversation about the book.
Have a great week!
I had forgotten Kevin Bacon was doing music now, and I would have found that interesting.
Such a fun read about what can be a difficult topic. The balance of detail and storytelling is great. And I was hoping it'd be your turn this week!
Yes, I've met people who instantly haven't liked me...and vice versa. I'm aware enough to know that I can be an acquired taste, but all good.