I am singled out.
Like when you eat too much cheese and you are cheesed out. Or you dance all night long and you are all danced out. I have been in a singles ward for 10 years and I am singled out.
I have been in my fair share of awkward situations. There is no way to avoid it with singles wards. I like to think I have been pretty patient with it...but not anymore. Sunday was the tipping point.
It wasn't so much the constant whispering and giggling during classes. Or the stream of late people opening the squeaky door. Or the fact that almost every talk or lesson began with "I didn't have time to prepare so...".
It also wasn't the inappropriateness of public touching and kissing during meetings. And it wasn't even the speaker interrupting their own talk to tell a member in the congregation that they got their phone message.
No, it wasn't it any of that.
The tipping point came when the speaker announced over the pulpit that she couldn't take the sacrament. She wouldn't tell us why at that moment, but don't you worry, she promised that "if you want to know just find her afterwards and she'll explain it all". That was then followed by an awkward explanation of her debating whether or not to take the sacrament because she was on the stand and didn't want people noticing she didn't take it for fear we would judge her and think "she didn't take the sacrament? Why is she giving a talk then?"
I was so uncomfortable that I couldn't physically suppress it. My head was down, trying desperately not to listen. My neighbor saw my distress and made a comment. "Feeling a little awkward?" Oh just a little! My disbelief continued when I heard girls behind me comment "she's so funny!".
Then, when I didn't think it could get any worse, Christ was referred to as "some dude who didn't even really know you". I'm pretty sure my mouth literally dropped open at that instant. The more times "dude" was said, the more my blood pressure rose. I was on the brink of experiencing a stroke. My eyesight was splotchy from hyperventilating. How can someone seriously be saying this in church? Some dude?! Who didn't know you!?
I just don't think I'll be able to last 3 years, 2 months, and 19 more days.
8 comments:
oh d, my sympathies...what a horrible experience. At least you hadn't invited a friend to church that day. (I can tell you that when you do graduate to a family ward, those moments won't altogether disappear. I've had my fair share of awkward and distressing moments in family wards as well.)
Wow.
Hearing stories like this increases my testimony of priesthood keys...because if it weren't for them, this church would not be here anymore.
WOW. I don't really know what to say..... This is a more than a little ridiculous.
Poor you. I was about 29 1/2 when I switched to my super awesome family ward, and I'm so glad I did. Even though I hadn't technically aged out of the singles ward, everyone in the family ward was cool about it.
Mle's right, though - there are still awkward moments. But mostly they're amusing and not sacrilege and/or cringe-inducing.
I had a similar tipping point last year when a girl got up and bore her testimony of Lady Gaga. You're a better person than me because I got up and walked out of the room. The EQP followed me about 45 seconds later. He and I left for the family ward within a few months. There's weird stuff in family wards but it's not like that. Move on with your life and put yourself in positions to meet people who are working towards the same goals and be happy being by yourself. You never know, it could be the best decision you make.
Too funny! I was there, but obviously not listening!!! I think I tuned her out the second I heard, "I wrote this talk during my five minute drive over here."
I hosted dinner groups tonight. Yep, so glad I am out in just over a month. I am so done hanging out with 18 year olds! :^)
Julie
That makes me so angry! The girl shouldn't have to worry about people judging her (although she probably shouldn't have been talking about that in the first place over the pulpit) but what makes me more angry is the stupid girls behind you! I would have turned around and given them a piece of my mind!
Sounds like it is time to graduate.
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