Scenario 1:
Many months ago. One of my best friends from childhood BBM’ed me along with another old friend:
Melvin: Gentlemen… I’d just like you to be among the first to know… that I’ve just proposed to May and we’re getting married within a year.
A normal response should’ve been
“DUDE!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! DAMN HAPPY FOR YOU MAN!!!”
Instead my response was
“WHAT?!??! DUDE ARE YOU SURE YOU THOUGHT THIS THROUGH?! WE GOTTA MEET UP… WE GOTTA TALK”.
Scenario 2:
Today, another friend… this one a nice girl messaged me:
“Tim, can you come for my wedding reception on XX date?”
Again I should’ve said
“AWW CONGRATULATIONS! I’D LOVE TO!!!”.
Instead my immediate response was
“YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED?!?!?! TO WHO?!!? “
“To John. You met him at my house a few months ago”
Me: WHAT?!?! I thought you both just got together ?”
*realizes this time that my response should’ve been different. So in an attempt to damage control….*
Me: CONGRATULATIONS!!!
She hasn’t replied me.
*sigh*
I gotta work on that “CONGRATULATIONS I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU” face when people tell me that they’re getting married.
Timothy Tiah – Co-Founder of Colony, Kuala Lumpur Co-Working Space