When you’re sick, you want to tell everyone how sick you are. You actually want to tell them that you’re a little bit sicker than you actually are so that they feel sympathy for you, give you cute stares and lots of hugs. Establishing a high-volume flow of concerned girls into your private space is typically a high priority for a sick man.

But, there are some people you don’t want to know at all that you’re sick–your parents or your girlfriend, for example. These people actually care about you, so if they know you’re sick, they’ll either pester you with advice or physically come look after you, which is a great inconvenience to them. It would be nice if I were dating a useless girl with nothing to do so that she could come look after me, but as it turns out, I’m attracted to a very professional hard-working kind of woman that I totally don’t want to bother with my illness.

Besides, I tend to get really sick at least once this time of year with some kind of respiratory virus caused by my foolish notion that I am stronger than cold weather. If I don’t wear enough outside, doesn’t it make sense that my body will be degraded by the weather? No matter how much I can endure, it still is below freezing out there.

My treatment plan will consist of willing myself to get better by Saturday evening. And drinking lots of fluids, avoiding the outside and staying warm, and eating everything in sight. I will win this!!

One Response to “The interpersonal politics of being sick”

1. inaequitas says:

   12/8/2005 at 6:27 pm

   Well it’s much better to complain, then, to a throng of ‘interested’ strangers on the `Net right? =)

   It varies through, I tend to accentuate insignificant ailments while downplaying the important ones.

   Cheers!

   Reply