Had a mini-meltdown last night

[storky]

Well the annual dinner came around, spent most of the morning setting the room out. Come the evening the club moaners came in, weren't happy with where they were sitting, weren't happy with with the seating being male/female/male/female, when they did it (many, many, many years ago) it was male one side, female the other. Come the start of the after meal part they start moaning again about not being moved (only one half of the room was being reorganised because I didn't know how many helpers I'd get).

I lost it, I said I was looking forward to it being done perfectly next year when he was doing it (of course he won't be, he is just a serial moaner). Then I stormed out intending to go home. Got talked into staying put for a bit by one of the other while he went to get my dad (he was chairing the meal so was in the committee room with the guests). Go persuaded to come back in but went and sat in the snooker room (just basically a curtained off area next to the main room), had several crying sessions, downed some vodka before a couple of the others came and chatted with me and helped me calm down again.

I feel bad for losing it over someone who's opinion I don't even rate and the fact that I made a bit of a scene. The night was a success and most people had no complaints about how the seating was arranged, in fact some even said the swapping gender seating order was a good idea. I just wish I hadn't lost it the way I did.

[Cia]

We're only human hon and we all loose it sometimes - especially if someone is continually pushing ur buttons like it sounded happened last night with serial moaner... U eid good tho - it's a hard thing to organise and people did apprwciate it - hold onto their comments not moaners!! And good on u for staying... I know it would of taken a lot.

[WallFlower]

Glad it overall went well,

When you have put a lot of effort into doing or setting something up just so, any detractor can really ruin things. Even one you expect like a serial moaner.

In some situations the best option may be to un-invite or not invite in the first place. But obviously, that's not always an option.

In my book there is nothing wrong with a mini-meltdown from time to time, even for us suposedly 'sane'. While you are right in a way, the negative opinion of a serial moaner probably shouldn't count for that much, When one has worked hard to make a group of people happy, it's a blow to see unhappy people or hear moaning.
Perhaps the moaner should be reminded of the perspective that it is one dinner, not seating arrangements for a 40 hour train ride or the rest of their lives.

Kudos for the successful dinner party.

[Chaz]

i know i've had many moments like this at work when customers start complaining, which is pretty much all day long. sometimes it's very hard to hold it together. from the sound of it, it's not out of order that you had a meltdown. it's something you worked to put together and to have people picking it apart is crap. hope you're feeling better now.

[bladed]

Moany bastards!

There's nothing worse than putting energy and thought into organising something, and someone, who's no idea how much effort it takes (for anyone) just waltzes in and start critising left, right and centre.

I'm glad the night was a success and that you stayed to find that out for yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.

[storky]

I guess having just past 60 hours without sleep didn't help much either. It is done now, the meltdown scared me, knowing that something like that could be just a heartbeat away isn't a very pleasant thought.

Now I've just got to work out how to thank the two non-family members who spent a bit of time with me calming me down. I'm thinking a simple thank you card with a short personal message but words can't really describe the thanks I feel (well for the first time in 8 years years someone who knows me in RL didn't run a mile when I crumbled in front of them).

[Kiesha]

i would give anything to have just one person that would like me for the " real me"
Thats an extra reason to smile.
I totally envy you right now

I think buying them a card is a very nice gester...