Hollow Fucking Promises

I very much so hate hollow promises. In fact I loathe them. I ran into an old boss at the market a few weeks ago. Generally if I see someone unexpectedly and have time to make a swift getaway I will. But without time to sneak out the door, I stopped and engaged. I asked how she was doing and likewise she asked me. She threw out some compliments like "you look so good" and "god it's great to see you" and continue to over-compliment me by staying more than once just how happy I look. That just makes me feel uncomfortable much like clearly she was in the conversation. I found out the pertinent information on her life and her family and began the conversation wrap up when...out came her hollow promise.

"We are having a birthday party for our dog in a few weeks, we would LOVE to have you and your dogs over!" She promised to send the details and apparently that did not happen! In fact, the only thing that did happen wasthe ridiculous  birthday party to which we were never invited. Hollow. Fucking. Promises. 

What is the goddamn point in doing that? In pretending you actually give a shit about someone and want to be involved in their life when you really don't mean it? If you are my friend and you have absolutely no intention on doing something, don't mention it or pretend like you do.

I've known this woman since my previous job when I worked at an Autism treatment center. Things there under her command did not go well and I honestly got the raw end of the deal because of mismanagement or complete lack of it. This woman witnessed my competent work and the harassment I endured from a nasty coworker and did nothing but turn a blind eye and move me to a different department because that was easier than having to deal with conflict resolution and actually manage. 

In this situation at the market I am at fault. It is my fault that I actually had a small glimmer of belief that she was genuinely interested in my life and really meant it when she said "We definitely need to have a night out!!" But she wasn't. We are only good when a plumbing crisis arises and for five minute chit chat at Ralph's. 

What made me think about this today was overhearing two girls talking in the gym locker room. One girl asked another about going to the Hollywood Bowl and the other one way too quickly replied "totally, that could be fun," which really meant that she was dismissing the girl with no intentions of following through with those plans. 

I'm guilty of doing this; we all are. But I am trying to make more of an effort to be honest about my intentions, without being rude of course. It seems more rude to lie and act like you care since most of the time we are not academy award winners and can see right through it. And then you just look like an ass when you post pictures on Facebook to the event you fake invited someone to. 

Hollow fucking promises (shaking my head)...be honest, be real, be true.