I – Idiosyncrasies: Will you stop doing that!

Will you stop doing that!

Otto and Lina were having a conversation over dinner one night.

Otto started with, “You know about that light thing, you know, you do all the time. You know, the one with which way, you know, the light switch should be for ‘on’ and, you know, which way for ‘off’?”

Lina had to stop him. “Will you stop saying, ‘YOU KNOW’! You say it all of the time.”

“I do not!” Otto replied, “and anyway, you know, what I was saying about the light switches. You’re really obsessed.”

Giving up on the ‘you know’ point, Lina said, “It’s not a thing. When the light is ‘on’ the switch should be up, and when the light is ‘off’, the switch should be down. Everyone should know that.”

“Well, I disagree. It doesn’t make a difference which way the switch is, it’s just a bad habit of yours.” Otto went on, “Like when, you know, you obsess over all the computer tech you have to have. If what you are using works, why do you need a new tech upgrade all of the time.”

Lina got more defensive. “I do not obsess about new technology, I wasn’t the one that got the newest device if I recall. Sometimes newer technology is better for the work you do. You would notice if you weren’t watching sports every day. It’s a shame that hockey and baseball season overlap. There’s just no break.”

Otto just let that slide with a, “you do watch with me if you haven’t noticed. And what about those puzzles you play all of the time. Research has shown that doing crossword puzzles and word searches don’t prevent dementia. Get a life, spend some time in the real world.”

“Yeah the real world,” said Lina. “In the real world, men wear colored socks other than white. If there is anyone not in the real world, it’s you.”

“I’m always in the real world. Why is it in your real world you always look for and talk with anyone you know from school, you know, no matter where we are? They have lives too, you know,” was Otto’s retort.

“It’s a good thing I love you for some of the things that are special about you,” Lina said with a smile.

“Yeah. It’s a good thing. Same here.” Otto was quick to respond. “Neither of us is perfect, but I’m glad we have each other. Our idiosyncrasies are what make us unique, good and bad. And there’s always hope that someday I’ll be able to change you into my way of thinking…You know.”

“Not if I change you first.” This was followed by peals of laughter on both sides.

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Author’s note: Lest you all think that this is based on a real conversation between my wife and me, discussing our idiosyncrasies, it’s not. I should point out, however, that the idiosyncrasies are real even though the people are fictional. They’re all mine.