I get lots of random "observations" from the chuckleheads at my office about biking and life and everything. I ignore them as best I can, but it's still irritating.
During a morning bull session over coffee, a coworker asked me what I was doing that weekend. "Well, I'm going to Chicago for my first sprint Triathlon."
"Oh, you're in no shape for that, are you?"
I was devastated. I was already nervous about finishing the course and the jerk just piled on.
I did well at the Tri and beat my target time by 7 minutes. On Monday morning, I walked directly to his desk and all but threw my medal at him. He didn't remember the conversation and had no idea why I was p*ssed off.
I realized later that to him, it was just idle chitchat. To me, it was something near and dear to my heart. I don't share much with him anymore, but still listen to him whine about his college-graduate kids who can't get jobs and his loveless marriage.
(And no, I'm not bitter about it.
)