Over the telephone, Anne cut a deal to join a heathclub for a year and felt good about herself for having done it. Right afterward, she told me about doing the deal and the deal she cut. My instant response was "no," thinking we could do a better deal. As I began to criticize the gym for their offer, I saw Anne's body sag in disappointment and she said, I had "emasculated" her, as she got the gym manager back on the telephone for me.
I realized how thoughtless and cruel I had just been. Anne's goal is to become "a strong, self-sufficient, independent woman," and in a heart beat, I had emasculated her. To add insult to injury, I did it over a few dollars. Realizing this, I immediately apologized and offered to honor the deal she had done. Wiser still would be in the future, not objecting to a deal she does for like me, she can speak for both of us.
Anne accepted my apology. But when I offered to have the gym general manager call her instead of me, she declined and asked me to conclude the deal with him for her. I tried to convince her otherwise but she was insistent. So when this gentleman calls, I will do the deal, but running it by her to be sure she finds it acceptable, which puts me in the position of working for her. In the future, I will be aware of this blunder I made today in emasculating her and will honor her deals and as appropriate, commend her for them.
Dick
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