I attended a social event where we had name tags. Never thought such a good idea could go sideways. After all, how memorable are most people that you catch their names the first time around? The convenience of name tags is golden.
Until it isn’t.
At the end of the event, I pulled off my name tag and placed it on my to-go box. As I reminded everyone else near me to remove their name tags, one friend became intrigued with a mildly funny idea: sneak her name tag on some unsuspecting person while patting them on the back.
I witnessed her workshop the idea out loud as we exited the venue. Unfortunately, she chose me as her mark. Despite my batting her hand away and protests, she wouldn’t let it go until we were out in the parking lot.
As I reached the driver’s side of my car, she passed on the passenger’s side with a mischievous expression on her face.
Did that bitch just put her name tag on my paint job?
She sure in the hell had.
Usually, I mitigate my temper, but I retaliated by ripping her name tag off my car and sticking it on her back window since she had conveniently parked in the row behind me.
My mind churned as I drove home: 1) What grown-ass person does that; 2) how the hell could I remove the remains of the name tag; and 3) why was I THAT mad about the whole incident?
Once home, I dampened a paper towel to remove the stuck-on paper, but the clear glue remained. At least it no longer looked like a bird had shat on my car. Mom suggested using cooking oil to remove the rest. Yet, I felt as if I’d already spent too much energy on that dumb shit.
Afterall, I’d bought my car brand new in 2009 and that 17-year-old paint job showed its age. Unless I pointed out the name tag residue, one would have challenging time finding it.
Nonetheless, I don’t want to drive a junk-mobile. For someone who hardly ever gets her car washed, it’s relatively clean, especially on the inside since I don’t drive around with clutter.
That name tag prank pierced at the heart of my money anxieties. I’d bought my car when relocating to the States after eight years of teaching internationally. Back then I had a significant savings. In 17 years, I’m no longer a full-time teacher, living on my own nor making enough money for a true savings.
I live with my parents, so my “savings” are the result of not having to pay rent. I’ve never been a spendthrift. Yet, those evil twins, wage stagnation and rising inflation, continue to bite my salary in the ass.
Don’t even get me started on being underemployed based on my education and experience. People with more lucrative jobs have less job security than I do. At least complex customer service cannot be easily replaced by AI right now.
Since the COVID shutdown, I’ve floundered financially. Although I’ve made the best of my work situation, every internal move I’ve made at work has been lateral. Any interesting work that comes with a pay bump has been attached to working evenings and/or weekends.
The only things that have helped keep me sane have been exercise classes that I take after work. Those are definitely worth the investment for my well-being. As much as I enjoy working from home, I still need interaction with other people in real life.
Once my flared temper dissipated, I messaged her about the incident. Hours later, she acknowledged her actions and offered a sincere apology.
That residue will probably be a permanent part of the car. At least it’s no longer a trigger.