Cold as Ice (Friday Fictioneers)

Posted on by Prior...

Cold as Ice (Fiction Word Count: 100)

You asked, so I’ll answer honestly.

You aren’t super mean all the time – and hey, we all have our moods.

But…

you’re kinda callous.

I wouldn’t say you’re a ten out of ten on the bitch scale. 

Um, maybe more like an eight?

And…

Yes, that is why some people avoid you.

We respect you as a person, but you really can be so curt.

You’re cold as ice – like those icicles on that tree.

I’m not telling you to aim for Pollyanna annoyance sunshine sharing, but your ongoing cold and crass demeanor only hurts you in the end.

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This short fiction piece to join in with Friday Fictioneers. To join in or read more entries – go here (Photo credit: Dale Rogerson)

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55 thoughts on “Cold as Ice (Friday Fictioneers)”

    1. yes, and hopefully I showed some tenderness with the question mark after an eight – it was to be delivered slowly with some body posture of care as the truth for self-awareness was finally shared (with someone who is unbridled – not that we cannot have bitchy days and all – but it is lifestyle for some without accountability)

      Liked by 1 person

  7. I was humming along to Foreigner’s Cold As Ice as I read this for some apparent reason! Anyways, good one!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Oh Diana – I only thought of that song after I fit publish or I might have had to add another section with the author note….
      cos,,,,

      “someday she’ll pay the price I know – I’ve seen it before… ”
      lol

      Liked by 1 person

    1. thanks Lynne Love- and my pet peeve is when someone (just say per chance this were to happen) when they speak up about such a cold aloof person in a position that has to interact with people – and she turns so many off or away – and so to speak up and have her supervisor say “I can honestly say she does not mean any harm.”
      um – intentionality has nothing to do with it and certain people should not have certain volunteer roles – just saying “if” that was a situation – because I have seen this happen in church volunteer work roles – since the 90s –
      for example – the family tithes a whole bunch – or have been there for generations – and they are all “in” there and have a heart of gold for many things – but then certgain behavior is ignored- minimized – explained away – ugh
      and makes me want to call macrus lemonis (from the profit) and have him come in to do some housecleaning. — where he says it is nothing personal – just not everyone should be working in certain roles….
      sorry for the digression dear Lynn

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re quite right, of course and I’ve seen this myself. That although some people mean no harm or are talented at certain things, this does not mean they are suited to every role. No need for the apology – I heartily agree with you 🙂

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    1. Hi – not really.
      Although from some of the comments it might have sounded that way.
      I do know of a few ladies over the years that fit the bill – I know of one that qualifies as a ten out of ten –
      and then know a few guys that are maybe on the mean and grumpy scale jerk scale…
      hm
      thanks for asking

      Liked by 1 person

  13. We all know those people. From time to time, I am those people. Usually means I need a break, but sometimes I might just be snackish 😛 lol
    Never understood people who are always like that. Figure somethin went wrong and they didn’t recover.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. yes, Joey – I know exactly what you with “I am those people” and you have addressed this topic in a few of your posts in different ways.
      and I think in many cases there was lack of accountability –
      the ongoing behavior is excused away as perosonality – like one of the musicians we know – who nobody likes to play with – people just say =- “Oh that is just Randy” (not his real name) and they say “He is a beaver personality so people skills are not high for him”
      Or
      sometimes people with various power get away with this – ya know?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. People in power — oh I could go on and on about misuse of power, from the highest offices to the lowest martinets. But I shan’t.
        As a beaver myself, I must say, recognizing one’s own beaver tendencies is helpful, so that I can be less beaverish in my behavior. I live with lions, and we all feel sorry for the golden, haha! But honestly, everyone’s strengths make their weaknesses and vice versa. At our best, we all have great things to offer, and at our worst, we make other people crazy. Everyone. All of us. I can’t tell if you don’t think I hold myself or others accountable, but I think knowing why and working to improve reaction is important regardless.
        I hope we’re on the same wavelength?

        Liked by 1 person

        1. we are on the same wavelength here. And when you mention the “animals” I can get a feel for the household – cool how these typings can be so spot on, eh?
          and that sweet golden- lol
          oh and your reply reminded me of an introvert
          study I read about – it said that some introverts wake up and they already have too much arousal for the day. and then on the other hand – some extraverts wake up needing arousal – and so they might blare the news, the radio – or start yapping with the more quieter wakers… lol
          and so I think what you have said is so key- “so I can be”
          ahhh, joey….
          I am so in agreement – that the aim is
          not to always work at core change – because sometimes it is brain thing; an inner physical make up and so asking a certain personality type to come in and force/say good morning with a heartily gung-ho could make everyone miserable – well unless they were in the mood for that – not the best example, but my favorite thing that you said underpins the key to success, which is accurate self-awareness.
          you wrote:
          “think knowing why and working to improve reaction…”
          Side note to add here (and sorry to rant please don’t feel as if we have to keep adding here.,… lol)
          but I sadly see high-introverts wrestle with thinking they need to change sometimes – and I guess there are times we do need to stretch and leave our comfort zone but celebrating our wiring is so key – and it actually makes me sad that some introverts get “dissed” –
          —
          and I think everyone – despite their personality wiring – can use self-discipline to not be allowed to abuse others along the way= like Martin Seligman talked about when his granddaughter called him out on always being a big grump – he did not want that to be his essence. – would that be the prick scale?
          and so maybe NO “accountability on the bitch scale” is like a weed in the garden that chokes out the beautiful shrubs and allows a stinky essence to slowly permeate –

          Liked by 1 person

        2. Ah, I see, much of this is me saying that’s just the way my husband is. Yes. I do that. I do that with lots of people and trust they say the same of me.
          I DO think being an introvert requires a lot of coming out of the comfort zone, especially for work. Most of what I do to get by at work is pretend I’m not nearly as introverted as I am, which is exhausting, lol!
          Oh my goodness, I was in the midst of typing this when I heard my laundry buzzer, went to get my towels out, and smelled gas. The last few hours have been crazy here. Now we wait for the leak to be fixed and then we can have heat and hot water again. What a silly thing to have happen on a Sunday! Whew!
          Anyway, from my perspective, our society seems to prefer extroverts. (Even ones who are grumpy in the morning!)
          I embrace terms like bitch and slut. I’m in the group who finds the words empowering. Nice ladies do this and nice ladies don’t do that, well, what’s so great about nice?

          Liked by 1 person

        3. well thanks for coming back – really enjoyed comment chatting….
          and pretty crazy to what just happened with the gas leak – and wish I was closer to send some hot chocolate – or do whatever it is a neighbor might do.
          and I think I know what you mean about the empowering part of those terms…
          and I actually will chew on it some more
          but I think that the “bitch scale” I had in mind referred to a specific type of person I have seen on and off since the 90s – mostly in churches – and so maybe I need to get a better operational definition.
          lol
          anyhow, hope the leak gets fixed soon –
          🙂

          Liked by 1 person

        4. Thanks so much! Me too. I like to sleep cold, but not shower cold, and the low tonight is 21! At least I can cook and bake 😉
          The worst bitches are the ones who pretend to be nice, make you think they’re nice ladies, when really, they’re the worst.
          Thanks again. Always a pleasure chatting to you!

          Liked by 1 person

        5. yeah – and dry towels helps too –
          ahhhh… yes – another type of bitches- hm –
          let’s pick this back up another time….
          (and thanks for the fun word of “argumenting” – still chuckling with that one)

          Like

    1. 🙂
      yeah – same here- but rarely do they ask – some might – like those who are working on self-awareness)
      and such honesty really has to be delivered with care – and sometimes slowly – eh?
      “or every man blind” if too much at one time

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Very well written, Prior. Unfortunately I can imagine only too well how the poor woman felt after such a devastating critique of her personal qualities. Once upon a time, people could have described me in those terms, I fear…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. well thanks for the comment – and maybe gender would have changed the delivery –
      but rude is rude –
      and yeah – such brutal feedback would not be ideal –
      because people have feelings and many people wrestle with this – “how to speak up with good delivery”
      and sadly – this is why most people say nothing at all – we don’t want to hurt.
      but then the passiveness (or avoidance for good reasons) allows things to grow unchecked, ya know?

      Like

  19. There are some people who believe in “telling it like it is” and I think you get your message across better with those people when you speak as plainly to them as they themselves speak. However, honesty doesn’t have to be delivered in a rude way.
    Some people avoid coming right out and saying something corrective; they rather deliver it with a laugh and call it humor. “Just poking a little fun.” Often with a hint of sarcasm. That kind of humor can sting and it still doesn’t get the truth across clearly.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. enjoyed your comment = and honesty doesn’t have to be delivered in a rude way”
      yes!
      and I think (still learning about this layered topic) but I also think
      and then….
      I was reminded that sometimes it is about “relationship withdraws and deposits” because confronting or speaking up could be like making a huge withdraw and if there is not anything substantial there… well bankrupt-
      anyhow,
      such a good point about the way some poke a little fun to deliver messages.
      Ugh
      and I recently saw someone address something indirectly and we sat there wondering “why would he bring this up right now?”
      and later I realized that was their MO, their way of communicating – instead of directly having an informal convo about it – they strategically wait and word things just so to maybe clear things up on their end (which is such a lousy way of communicating)

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