you don't meet guys named Ralph anymore

[somedayseattle]

A couple of weeks ago I asked KC to schedule Dr. Watson and I for a morning shift on a day when she could leave early. My plan was for me to pick up Erica and then meet Dr and KC at The Players Retreat for a beer or two to celebrate his employment at Da Park. That day was supposed to be today but due to some unfortunate scheduling issues KC could not make it. So after our shift on the miniature train, the Dr, Erica and I hung out there for a bit. He went on a bit of a bender about how grateful he was for the strings I pulled and how good of a friend he thought I was. While it’s nice to know these things, hearing them makes me incredibly uncomfortable. I don’t like people complimenting me. I don’t like people giving me things. Opening a present in front of someone is the most awkward thing in the world. I tried to stop him a couple times but he insisted on finishing his diatribe. I changed the subject at the earliest opportunity. I do a lot of things for a lot of people. All I’ve ever asked is a very simple ‘thank you’. I don’t do things for the adulation. I do things because I know they need to be done.

How do you handle compliments? I can handle something plaintive like “that shirt looks good on you“. Anything past that makes me squirm.