The Stupidest Reply

Years ago I asked my cleaning lady if she had seen the paring knife that I’d left lying in the drainer over the sink.

She said, “I wasn’t looking for it.”

I’m one of those people who cannot always think of the perfect repartee till too late and this time was a good example, for I was absolutely speechless.

I never found the paring knife—expensive, by the way—and it certainly did not go down the disposer or into the trash. I searched everywhere for it, and that was the last day this woman worked for me, though I did not accuse her of stealing, and fired her over the phone, not in person. I did not fire her because of her crazy reply to my question, but because she was the only clue to what happened to the knife.

Now, let me suggest what to say to such a reply, in case it ever happens to you. Just say, “Do you mean you see only what you look for and nothing else?” That should slay them.

♥