DHS
(For those of you who hav been waiting to see what kind of genius posts I would come up with now that I’ve gotten through the alphabet, I apologize. It’s come to this. As Stephany said so eloquently, “I’m on the end-of-NaBloPoMo struggle bus.”)
Sometimes, when we are watching TV, or I am driving, or in line at the grocery store, whatever, someone will do something idiotic, and I give what Maya has coined the ‘Disgusted Head Shake’. She LOVES it, and it is now part of her repertoire as well. More recently, we shortened it to the acronym, DHS. That way, if we are in public and it would be RUDE to perform the Disgusted Head Shake, one of us can quietly say to the other, “DHS”, and we KNOW.
Feel free to use this term in your own lives if it helps you in any way.
28 Comments
Ally Bean
This is brilliant. I am immediately adopting the DHS into my personal lexicon because I do it, too. Just never put a name to it.
J
I’m glad to be of service, Ally.
nance
You are better women than I. My DHS has become involuntary. I cannot regulate it. If a situation arises, such as a woman who waits until she hears the total at the grocery store BEFORE SHE EVEN OPENS HER PURSE TO LOOK FOR HER *CHECKBOOK*, my head starts shaking from side to side ruefully and disapprovingly the moment she goes for the purse.
Aside: Who the heck still writes checks? And my card is out THE MOMENT I HAVE LAID THE LAST ITEM ON THE BELT, HAVING BEEN STORED *IN MY POCKET* SO AS NOT TO WASTE EVEN ONE NANOSECOND OF ANYONE’S TIME.
DHS
J
My Great Aunt Flo was one of those women (she’s still alive, just doesn’t go to the grocery store anymore). She didn’t believe in credit cards, didn’t understand debit cards (the Visa logo on the front would confuse her), and for some reason would not have her check ready to simply fill in the amount. Ever since the time I was with her and witnessed this, I am able to give such people grace. Especially if they are at least 80.
The rest of it, the controlling of the involuntary DHS, has taken a lot of work, and I’m not sure I’m always able to conquer it. I do try, however. Just thinking “DHS” can help.
NGS
Ha ha. I’m like Nance. These things are involuntary! My every emotion shows on my face and my body language. I’m actually envious that you can control yourself to just say DHS instead of doing it!
J
It’s taken a LOT of work, and I sometimes fail. But I’m working on it.
Suzanne
HA! I love this so much.
J
Thanks Suzanne!
Margaret
I do a completely deadpan look that my daughters can also send back to me as silent communication.
J
I love it. It’s like DHS without the HS.
Zazzy
Congratulations! You are almost at the end of this journey. What new and exciting adventures will follow?
J
Thanks Zazzy! Nice to see you here! What’s up after NaBloPoMo? Good question. Who knows!
Jenny
Hee hee! I can’t wait to see what you come up with tomottow.
J
Jenny, I appreciate your faith in me!
Ernie
This is brilliant. I can feel my kids look at me in public when they know I’m about to give a disapproving head shake. I love the acronym. It’s brilliant. Thanks for giving a name to my attempt at dialing back my anger.
*I’m a little behind on reading. It’s been a week. All is well and things are heading in the right direction, we hope. I’ve switched my blog to private per the wise suggestion of some readers given the media frenzy surrounding our situation. But, I’m sending email invites and my hope is that people might still be able to look at my blog. Otherwise, the posts will be there when my blog comes back to being ‘available’.
J
Good idea on the private blog situation. Here’s my email:
J_asregadoo at yahoo dot com
Melissa
I read the title and immediately thought “Department of Human Services” but nope, completely different and more entertaining topic. I love that you’ve given it a name.
J
LOL, I hadn’t thought of that.
Nicole MacPherson
I like it! DHS!
J
Thanks Nicole!
Lisa's Yarns
Oooh, I like this, too. I can see myself using this with some colleagues at work.
J
If you’re at work, you just have to think it to yourself quietly….(DHS…”
Tobia | craftaliciousme
Haha this is great. I (fear?!) I have perfected the DHS. The husband is not a fan.
J
Perhaps you can get him to join you?
San
Haha, I love little inside jokes like that 😉
J
San, me too!
Stephany
The struggle bus was real last week, haha. We got through it, though!
DHS is genius. I’m stealing this!
J
Do it! It’s very handy.