Are you witty?

[nervousgiggler]

I wish I was one of those people who could come up with hilarious lines off the cuff, but I'm not.

I'm 7 months preg and yesterday I was introduced to someone I'd never met before, a woman in her sixties. It was a hot day and she looked me up and down and said, "Cor, I don't envy you!" And then walked off. I know that's not particularly offensive but I remembered today and wondered what I could have said in response to that. What is an actual appropriate response?! I just laughed even though I think in hindsight I found it rude af.

Im definitely better at long rambling conversations than I am banterous small talk.

Anyway, I really admire people who can come up with "banter" on the spot.

Are you one of those people?

I don't understand how what she said was offensive.

@SwedishEdith

I don't understand how what she said was offensive.

Because after being introduced she looked OP up and down, said what she said said then turned and walked away. If it was said in a smily manner as a conversational opening it would have been fine. But it was intended to shut down conversation and that is rude.

Being witty and being a smart arse aren't the same thing. And `I beg your pardon', no matter how icy, is just 'did you mean to be so rude'. I saw that on a thread yesterday, it was cringey, pompous.
I can be witty, see unexpected connections between things, coming back with ripostes to rudeness, not really.

I think I am, but I wouldn't necessarily have had a comeback for that. I'm very short so I often make jokes about my height. I feel in a way its a self defence mechanism to be self deprecating or make a joke at my own expense, before someone else does.

@nervousgiggler

Also *@Yellownightmare* I'm not sure why me mentioning someone's age instantly made you think I believe they're an old hag, that is all your assumption and nothing to do with anything I said!

Because on Mumsnet, if you even hint at someone being older than about 34, you're a massive bigoted ageist!

Because on Mumsnet, if you even hint at someone being older than about 34, you're a massive bigoted ageist!

Well just as well that I didn't say that at all.

Interesting that you took that from what I said, and I wonder what it says about you. Most of the time when someone mentions a person's age and they're over 50, it's irrelevant to the thread and quite often sounds ageist.

If you don't like it being raised, then tough. The OP and I had a perfectly reasonable exchange, and your sarrky pertness is unnecessary. And not remotely witty.

In your example it's not obvious she was being rude, though that's clearly how it's been taken, it could have been sympathy. For example, I was walking the other day when a car stopped reversing several feet ahead of me. I kept on and when I got near the driver said "I'll get you next time". Her delivery was straight deadpan, but I never thought she meant actual bodily harm. Likewise your person may not have been referring to the presence or absence of actual envy.

How was it intended to shut down conversation? It sounds just like an empathetic comment to me.

Mm that's a good question! I think perhaps I included it to show that she had already experienced pregnancy

Not all over 60s women have been pregnant OP. What a bizarre assumption.

@florianfortescue - I had not heard that phrase but now I have I shall not forget it - perfect & thank you

Not necessarily, I think they just mentioned the age as it can give context - like maybe she has kids, grandkids herself or maybe you just sometimes expect older people might be more likely to talk to strangers (I mean this in a positive way as a chatty person myself).

I have recently realised I am the "class clown"
I am funny and like to laugh at my self in v British self deprecating way. But i think ppl don't take me seriously as a consequence
It's a bit of a worry tbh

Yes I am but I still have occasions like yours when I am too late.

I don't think her comment was worthy of a reply tbh.

A bitty!