When You’re Falling
July 14th, 2010
Although it is old news by now, I kind of can’t believe I neglected to mention here that I fell in the pool WHILE CARRYING SAM at last week’s swim class. Oh yes. It was … well, it was what it was. The sad thing was that she was acting rather excited, and kept strolling towards the pool as though she was looking forward to dipping her wee toes in, and then! It was time to get in! I was gingerly walking down the stairs and talking her through the entry process, saying, “The water is friendly! The water is going to be a little col–” BAM! SLIP! SLIDE!
DOWN THE STAIRS. SPLASH!
SCREAMING.
Of course. The kid clung to me like a monkey for the remainder of class, her low-grade pathetic whimper a horrible constant for an entire half-hour, rising and falling with the water level over her legs. She calmed down only when presented with a tiny plastic octopus, which she clung to with the desperation of … well, a terrified child in the pool, frankly.
But you know what the worst part of it all? The fact that NO ONE IN CLASS WOULD MEET MY EYES. I have a very thick skin and am not easily offended or embarrassed, and I realize not everyone would react the same way, but if *I* was laughing about it (because what can you do?), it was supremely uncool of those to act as though they were too horrified by my behavior to even look at me because COME ON. I FELL IN THE POOL. IS RIDICULOUS. NO ONE WAS INJURED.
Megan was on vacation and Erin (the only other person I know in class) missed the whole damn thing, as she was securing a floaty on her son. She later told me she heard a splash followed by several voices of, “ARE YOU OKAY?” and I was ALONE in my absurdity. ALONE.
When someone falls, my go-to reaction is to laugh, which sometimes gets me in trouble, but again, COME ON. FALLING IS FUNNY. Entire comedy sketches are built around falling! So unless you are seriously injured, just LET YOURSELF LAUGH AT THE FALLING. A bruised ego is no reason to act like it’s so stupidly serious. IT IS NOT SERIOUS.
May this week’s class be better. I hope. For the love.
And with that, I’m off for more summer fun. I hope you guys are having as much fun as we are! You know, FALLING IN POOLS and whatnot.
Happy Thursday!
*Peter Gabriel and … someone else, I can’t remember who, and I am TOO LAZY to even OPEN iTUNES, that’s how much summer fun I’m having! AM RELAXED. LEAVE ME BE.
Entry Filed under: Beeber McSteebs,General jackassery
19 Comments Add your own
1. Kalisa | July 14th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
I agree. When I see someone fall, I usually yell: “HOLD ONTO THE RAAAAAIL!!!” Because it’s funny!
2. Jenni | July 14th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Oh, god, I’m remembering once when I was maybe a teenager? My mom fell down our basement stairs. Like, she slipped and slid down all 12 stairs on her ass and landed on the floor. And I remember thinking, “Oh, I should be concerned!” But I couldn’t even ask her if she was okay because I was laughing so hard. Falling is hilarious. Maybe that is why they would not look at you? Because they were afraid they’d laugh?
Also, Kalisa – HILARIOUS!
3. Thesaurus | July 14th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
I have to say that in my mind there is nothing funnier than someone walking into a plate glass window. That slightly confused/pained expression is priceless.
Standard procedure round our place is:
1. Check no-one is hurt.
2. Laugh.
The first step was introduced a couple of years ago when my husband laughed at me breaking my wrist falling off my mountain bike.
I don’t understand why the others wouldn’t make eye contact with you, though. You laughed, clearly it was then OK for them to laugh – if only out of relief that it wasn’t them falling into the pool while holding their precious offspring.
4. Blythe | July 15th, 2010 at 12:06 am
1. My sister-in-law tripped and fell in a formal gown (it was a wedding reception; she was a bridesmaid) and I laughed so hard I cried, even though she was clearly annoyed at me. I just couldn’t stop, and the harder I tried the harder I laughed.
2. At Theo’s baby swim class we were doing some kind of bouncing-up-and-down thing holding onto both the baby and the pool noodle. I was merrily bouncing along trying to juggle both things with the kid facing away from me and the teacher was waving and yelling at me (in German that I did not understand), and I waved cheerily back. One of the other moms grabbed my shoulders and pointed out that I was bouncing too much and DUNKING MY CHILD UNDERWATER each time. Awesome! It’s a wonder that he isn’t still having flashbacks. Happy ending: he’s currently taking swim lessons and loves it. I, on the other hand, still feel guilty.
5. Jen | July 15th, 2010 at 7:08 am
I think those other moms couldn’t look you in the face because they were just so thankful that they didn’t fall! You know everyone was nervous about falling, holding squirmy little ones in bathing suits and all.
FWIW, I would have laughed WITH you. In my world, you laugh when people fall (as long as they are not injured of course). YOU JUST DO.
6. Becky | July 15th, 2010 at 7:52 am
*Afro Celt Sound System.
LOVE that song. It was playing on the TV’s music channel when I realized that I was going to marry my husband.
7. -R- | July 15th, 2010 at 9:43 am
My college roommate fell down a flight of stairs once, and I laughed so hard. She was pissed. But we both used to crack up when we saw other people fall, so I didn’t feel that bad.
How annoying that no one would make eye contact with you. I’m glad that Sam didn’t freak out at class!
8. Christine | July 15th, 2010 at 9:49 am
As a frequent faller, I have never been offended by people laughing at me. And I was truly spectacular at falling, once walking across the street between two bus stops at my dining hall in college (in sneakers no less!), I completely wiped out on god only knows what. I landed on my knees hard, bruising one, and cutting through my jeans and skin on the other, BUT did I drop the cup of hot cocoa I was drinking? No I did not. Am an ass.
I will say that I’m usually good about asking, “Oh My God are you OK?” before laughing at a person who falls. I don’t want to laugh at someone who is really hurt, but once everyone is okay, oh there will be laughter. That said, we had a video of a plaintiff in one of our cases falling while walking down a store aisle and I laughed everytime I watched so maybe I’m not so good as I would like to think.
I’m glad that you and Sam are okay, even if she is freaked out by the water now.
9. Jersey | July 15th, 2010 at 10:03 am
When I watch people fall on TV, not funny. I’m concerned for their well-being. Achoo, of course, thinks it’s all hilarious.
With that said, if it’s a person I know, once I know they are ok, and especially if they are laughing, well then, ok. Funny, HaHa.
I think there may have been some “oh my God, she traumatized her child. The baby books say “don’t fall in a pool with your child”, what will she do now?”
In the long run, it’s probably good that happened. She won’t remember it 5 years from now and it’ll be a funny story to tell over dinner.
10. Carrie Q. | July 15th, 2010 at 10:26 am
My daycare provider once fell UP the stairs while carrying my then six month old. She was sooooo embarrassed. I just said, “Is everyone OK?” and then I laughed.
Two children later, *I* fell off of her front porch carrying my own baby. And yes, once I realized my child and I were fine, I cracked up.
We still laugh about this today.
Maybe all those moms in your swim class have their swimsuits all in a bunch?
11. Carrie Q. | July 15th, 2010 at 10:26 am
My daycare provider once fell UP the stairs while carrying my then six month old. She was sooooo embarrassed. I just said, “Is everyone OK?” and then I laughed.
Two children later, *I* fell off of her front porch carrying my own baby. And yes, once I realized my child and I were fine, I cracked up.
We still laugh about this today.
Maybe all those moms in your swim class have their swimsuits all in a bunch?
12. Carrie Q. | July 15th, 2010 at 10:27 am
My daycare provider once fell UP the stairs while carrying my then six month old. She was sooooo embarrassed. I just said, “Is everyone OK?” and then I laughed.
Two children later, *I* fell off of her front porch carrying my own baby. And yes, once I realized my child and I were fine, I cracked up.
We still laugh about this today.
Maybe all those moms in your swim class have their swimsuits all in a bunch?
13. KT | July 15th, 2010 at 11:49 am
I trip and fall all the time. I mean, as long as you are okay what are you supposed to do? Sit down and cry? It’s not like we are 3 anymore. That stuff just doesn’t cut it when you are a grownup. Laughing it is!
And did the other moms in your class think that you were a bad mom because you tripped? They must be perfect then. How ridonkulous.
14. Leigh | July 15th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
FWIW, I am totally laughing now. I laugh at falling too. Which makes me kind of an asshole. I can’t help it.
15. Amy K | July 15th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
I have a big scar under my right knee from RUGBURN that I got in 10th grade (so…uh…17 years ago) because I was in a hurry to leave at the end of a history class (I think I needed to pee) but didn’t realize that both legs had fallen asleep. I took a couple of steps toward the door and wiped out spectacularly. Skinned my knees, mooned everyone in my short skirt. Good times. I laughed pretty hard about it, though — and so did my classmates and teacher, once they made sure I was okay.
16. Pocklock | July 16th, 2010 at 10:20 am
OMG I’m totally someone that laughs when someone falls. And it’s SO NOT NICE, I KNOW, but I can’t help it.
We have a video of my niece falling out of the baby pool because stood up and was dancing and slipped. It was hilarious and she’s three so she totally just BOUNCED, but MY OWN KID? Totally laughed.
It’s genetic.
Glad you guys are okay. And screw the judgers. I hope this week goes more smooth.
17. diane | July 16th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Oh, don’t they know you have to laugh if the person who fell is laughing. Those are the rules:
1. Check if person is ok
2. Laugh hysterically with them.
Don’t we all trip and fall all the time?
Glad you and Sam were ok!
18. Veronica | July 17th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Watching people fall is a pastime of mine. Love it. As long as no one is injured, pregnant, or elderly than GAME ON! Its is hilarious and great and makes life worth living.
I had to explain to a European friend that not laughing when someone falls (and meanwhile the fallen is laughing hysterically) is incredibly rude and offends American sensibilities.
Anyway I think falling is awesome. BUT totally sucks that it scared S.
19. Danell | July 21st, 2010 at 9:24 pm
I am so hypersensitive to other people’s embarrassment that I usually try to do whatever seems like it will make the embarrassed person more comfortable…unless I know you really well, in which case I laugh so often that I’m a complete annoyance. Anyway, I definitely would have looked you in the eye and laughed WITH you at the pool.
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