I almost bit my tongue off as a coworker made the following comment, "Gosh, you're a real slave driver." I stopped and said a little prayer to myself, "Lord give me the ability to control my tongue (and foot) and wisdom not to verbally beat my coworker down. Amen." After my prayer and 10 seconds of silence I said in a loving voice, "Slave Driver...An overseer of slaves at work? What do you mean by that comment? Slave Driver?" She then back peddled and apologized profusely. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry...Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to offend your people. I am so sorry that was so insensitive of me to say that when your people have done so much. I'm sorry...I'm sorry." Then I took a step back and said, "Your people? What people?" She then turned a funny shade of red and said, "I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I am so insensitive and I didn't even realize it!"
Eureka! It is amazing how you can say so little and allow folks to discover so much about themselves!
