Venting

Ladies, please forigve me but I must vent.  I am not one to vent often but this subject has pushed me to my limit and I have to get it out before I explode.

I am a huge fan of honesty/constructive criticism.  I like to be told when I am being called on my bluff.  I like to improve my relationships with coworkers, friends, and family.  Personally, I feel it's apart of growing up and becoming a better person.  I also know when to draw the line and realize when the boundary has been crossed.

Recently, I decided to chop off a decent chunk of my locks.  No big deal, really.  Hair grows back and I wanted a change.

One day, I was having a perfectly lovely conversation with a coworker when....

BAM

here comes Mrs. Nasty. 

"Ashley, I thought you were going to cut some more off your hair?" said Mrs. Nasty

"I decided to leave it the way it is.  It was a nice change for now but, I think I'll let it grow back." I say

"Good. I don't like it now.  It looked much better before.  You can't pull that off." said, well, you know.

My coworker/friend looked at me in disbelief.  As if to say, "Who does she think she is?" I looked at her in agreement.

I wanted to say to Mrs. Nasty, "You know something, after all the advances women have made in this world, don't you think we should stick together and encourage one another? What did you get out of putting me down like that? I would have preferred it if you wouldn't have spoken to me at all."

The most disappointing about this scenario is that I constantly compliment this person.  I LOVE to pass around sincere, honest, compliments - and I do, on a regular basis.  Why, then, did she feel the need to put me down in front of others?

This isn't the first time this has happened, either.  Not just from her, but from other women, friends, etc.

If I am rude to you, please tell me. If there is a faster way to submit my monthly report to my boss at the end of the month, please tell me. If I don't call you enough or have cancelled too many coffee dates with you, please be honest with me.

If you want to tell me you don't like my eye-shadow, hair, shoes, or outfit, please, keep that to yourself. 

Thanks.