The Refrigerator Note
For thirty-five years, Margaret had been married to Robert. They had been together for three and a half decades, raised children, and become used to being together for a long period. When she walked into the kitchen on a Tuesday morning and saw the letter on the refrigerator door, she knew right immediately that something had shifted in their carefully preserved balance.
Robert composed the message on his nice business paper:
Dear Margaret,
I hope this letter finds you in a good attitude. First of all, I want to say how much I adore our marriage and everything we’ve done together over the years. But I have to tell you the truth about some biological facts that I think we both need to deal with.
At fifty-seven, I can still meet some of the demands that a man my age couldn’t. This is just a regular part of life and biology, not a statement of how much I appreciate you as a partner.
I thought it was only right to let you know that I will be staying at the Comfort Inn Hotel on Highway 12 with Jennifer, my 19-year-old assistant, tonight. I hope you see that this is the only way to meet the needs I stated above.
I want you to know that this doesn’t affect anything about our marriage or how much I love you as my wife. I will be home before midnight.
Respectfully, Robert
Three times, Margaret read the note. At first, she was shocked, but then she felt something else: a cold, crystalline clarity that seemed almost liberated. She carefully folded the note, put it in her purse, and went on with her day, teaching college students calculus with a small smile on her face.
Sarah penned her message on the same pricey paper that Robert kept at his home office that night:
Hello Robert,
Thanks for your honest email this morning. Thank you for being honest about my age of 57. I’m glad you took the time to explain your point of view so plainly.
I want to take this moment to remind you that you are also fifty-seven years old, which you seem to have forgotten when you were thinking about biological facts.
You undoubtedly already know that I teach math at Riverside Community College, where I focus on advanced calculus and statistics. While you read this letter, I want you to know that I am at the Hotel Fiesta downtown with Michael, one of my smartest students. Michael is also the assistant tennis coach, and by chance, he is also 19 years old.
As a successful businessperson who has always been pleased of how well he knows math and logic, I’m sure you’ll like the following calculation:
Three times nineteen is fifty-seven, which is a whole number. But fifty-seven doesn’t go to nineteen at all.
So, if you only think about arithmetic, you’ll notice that we’re basically in the same scenario, but the frequency capacity is a little different.
Because of this math fact, I won’t be home till tomorrow afternoon. I might go home later, depending on how much energy Michael has and how much additional credit I’m ready to give him.
In the same way, Margaret
P.S. – I put a book about math on your bedside. The portion regarding division could be useful.
Robert went home at 11:47 PM and spotted the letter on the dining room table. It was propped up against a calculator and an open math journal with an article headed “Understanding Numerical Relationships.”
People who lived nearby claimed that his face was priceless.
1. The Executive’s Surprise
When Thomas Bradley, the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, walked into his corner office, he spotted an envelope on his desk that stated “URGENT.” Inside was a formal letter from his wife of twenty-eight years:
Hey Thomas,
I’m writing to tell you that I’m getting a divorce. You might be surprised by my choice because you’ve been too busy with “business trips” to see that I’ve been unhappy for the last five years.
I want half of everything of our marital property, including the vacation home in Aspen that you think I don’t know about. It’s in your assistant’s name.
Thanks for consistently using the same passwords. It was really easy to guess “ThomasBradley1.”
Your ex-wife-to-be,
P.S. – I also emailed you copies of your “business expenses” for the past three years. My lawyer thought they were interesting, and so will the IRS.
Thomas called his lawyer in a hurry, but his wife had already been ahead of him for months.
2.Hey. The Battles Over Parking Spaces
Linda had been driving around the mall’s crowded parking lot for fifteen minutes when she finally discovered a spot that was free. She flicked on her turn signal and waited patiently for the car in front of her to back up.
A magnificent sports automobile rushed by her and took her space just as she was about to go ahead. A man in his twenties came out, smiled, and said, “That’s what happens when you’re young and fast, lady.”
Linda smiled pleasantly, pulled down her window, and said, “That’s fine.” That’s what happens when you’re rich and old.
Then she gently tapped the rear of his car with the back of her big SUV. Her strengthened bumper was only slightly dented, whereas his exquisite sports vehicle received a $3,000 dent.
She added with a smile, “My insurance will take care of it.” “My husband runs the dealership.”
3. The Restaurant Complaint
A woman was in a posh restaurant and looked like she didn’t like her food. When the server asked whether everything was good, she went on and on about how hot it was, how it tasted, and how everything looked.
The server paid close attention and then said, “I’m sorry you’re not happy, ma’am.” But I should point out that you’re eating at a soup kitchen. “We don’t really charge for the food here.”
The woman blinked twice, glanced around at the simple things she had missed, and quietly finished her free dinner without saying anything else.
4.The Job Interview
Jennifer sat across from the recruiting manager, a middle-aged man who had been asking her more and more invasive questions about her personal life, relationship status, and future family plans for the last twenty minutes.
Finally, he leaned back and remarked, “You seem qualified, but I’m worried about choosing women who can have kids.” They don’t always do what they say they will do.
Jennifer stood up, smiled, and said, “Thank you for being honest.” It helps me figure out which firms I really don’t want to work for. I will definitely include this in my review on Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and in my letter to your HR department and the EEOC.
She went, and the manager’s smirk stayed arrogant.
Six months later, the person who was competing with him recruited her for a job that paid 20% more. A year later, her company bought his, and she became his boss.
5. The Membership to the Gym
Harold had been a member of Elite Fitness for three years and went three times a week, even though he never dropped the weight he wanted to. One day, a new personal trainer walked up to him out of the blue.
The trainer remarked in a phony delighted voice, “Hey, buddy.” “Looks like you could use some help.” I have a program that could alter your life.
“Thanks, but I’m already working with someone,” Harold answered with a smile.
“Really? Because I haven’t seen any changes.”
“Neither do your clients,” Harold said, referring to the trainer’s obvious steroid use and the three people who had left his program that month alone. “But I appreciate your concern.”
6.The Inheritance Letter
Dear Dad,
Thanks for writing to me to say that you wish to give all of your things to my younger brother. You added, “He needs it more and has always been more responsible.”
I wanted to use this moment to inform you some things you might not have known:
I paid your mortgage for the last three years while you were looking for job.
I was the doctor who detected your heart trouble early enough to keep you alive.
After I agreed to look at the records of his company, I found out that your “responsible” son is being accused with embezzlement.
You can give him the estate. I already built my own without your aid or consent.
Your oldest girl
7.The Ticket for Going Too Fast
Officer Martinez pulled down a fancy car that was traveling 85 mph in a 55 mph zone. The driver, a well-dressed man in his 40s, rapidly tried to explain himself.
“Officer, do you know who I am?” “I’m a senior vice president at—
“I don’t care if you’re the president of the United States,” Martinez said. “You were going too fast in a school zone.”
“This ticket might make my insurance costs go up!” “
“Yes,” Martinez answered. “This is how consequences usually work.”
The man spoke about lawyers and complaints. “You can definitely file a complaint,” Martinez said as he handed him the ticket. My wife is in charge of me. My captain is her brother. And who will listen to your case? “That’s my father-in-law.” “Have a nice day.”
8. The Class Reunion
Bethany observed a number of old classmates who had made her life miserable gathered near the bar at her twenty-year high school reunion.
“God, oh my God,” one of them said loudly. “Is that Bethany?” Wow, you really do look older.
Bethany smiled. “Yes, I have.” I’ve also authored three best-selling novels, married a great guy, raised two clever kids, and finally learned to love how I look. What do you think, Jennifer? Do you still believe that your worth is dependant on how you look? It must be becoming harder now that you’re forty.
The group stopped talking. One of them later claimed they were sorry. The others didn’t talk to her for the remainder of the night.
9.Hey. The Dinner Party
At Margaret’s dinner party, one guest, a newly wealthy business owner, spent the whole night talking about how rich he was, how many cars he had, and how many vacation homes he had.
“Of course,” he said loudly, “not everyone can handle the pressure that comes with real success.” Some people are just designed to be average.
Finally, Margaret’s husband stepped up and said, “You’re completely right.” I couldn’t handle the stress of making money through Ponzi schemes and defrauding investors. Even though it’s not fantastic, I appreciate being a federal prosecutor. “It’s so boring.”
The business owner left not long after that. He was charged three months later.
10. The Fashion Review
Samantha wore a gorgeous, inexpensive outfit to a charity event, but she heard two women in the bathroom discussing about how horrible it looked.
“Can you believe someone would wear something so cheap to an event like this?”
Samantha stepped out of the bathroom, washed her hands, and said, “You’re right,” in a kind way. I could have paid more for my outfit, but I chose to give that money to the charity we say we’re here to support. I presume you did the same thing, based on what you said?
The woman stuttered and then ran away. Samantha walked back to the gala, where the person in charge of the event told her she had given the most money that night.
11. The Family Trip
Marcus loathed family vacations because his successful cousin always made fun of him for being a teacher.
“Are you still teaching middle school, Marcus?” I just made a deal that will make you more money than you’ll ever make in your life.
That week, a thirteen-year-old student sent Marcus a thank-you message. The student had been close to harm himself when Marcus stepped in. Marcus put it in his pocket.
“You’re right, David,” Marcus said. “You’ve definitely made more money than I have.” “I’ve just made a bigger difference.”
12. The Man Who Comes Back
Robert left his wife of thirty years for a younger woman because he felt he needed “excitement and passion” in his life. Two years later, he went home and said he was sorry. The younger woman had left him for a richer man, and he was broke.
His ex-wife opened the door, looked at him for a long time, and said, “I’m sorry, do I know you?” I’ve grown really good at not recognizing people who aren’t in my life anymore.
She closed the door. Through the glass, he could see her laughing with a man who was around her age and good-looking.
13. The Lunch for Work
Catherine had to sit through a business lunch where a potential customer chatted for 45 minutes about how he had never worked with a woman in her position before and had “concerns.”
When he was done, Catherine smiled and said, “Thank you for being honest.” It has stopped me from spending time on a client relationship that wouldn’t have helped either of us.
She left and gave the multi-million-dollar deal for her business to his competitor.
14. The Diet Advice
A stranger came up to Jane as she was eating lunch at a café and said, “You know, if you ate better, you wouldn’t have a weight problem.”
Jane looked up and remarked, “You wouldn’t have a problem with manners if you stayed out of other people’s business.”
The café owner heard what was going on and informed Jane she could have her meal for free. She also told the man to go away.
15. The Pricey Car
A young man in a flashy sports car pulled up next to an older woman in a plain sedan at a red light. He said, “Grandma, nice car!” and then he cranked his motor. How does it feel to know you’ll never be able to buy what I’m driving? “
The woman smiled and remarked, “It feels great!” I paid off my house, my kids’ college, and my retirement money. How is your rent payment going? “
The light turned green, and she drove away at the speed limit while he worked on his broken engine.
16.The Work Performance
Daniel’s employer called him into the office and told him he was “comfortable with mediocrity” and “lacked ambition.”
“Look at Jennifer,” the supervisor observed. “She stays up late every night.” She’s always there. That’s dedication.
“Jennifer stays late,” Daniel replied quietly, “because she can’t finish her work during the day.” I finish quickly and then head home to my family. “I’m happy to do what you want if it means I have to work less hard to look more committed.”
The manager called off the meeting since no one showed up.
16.The Wedding That Didn’t Take Place
Three weeks before the wedding, Emily’s fiancé called it off because he had “found his true love.”
Emily altered the event to a “Freedom Party” instead. She had already paid deposits that couldn’t be refunded. She asked all of their friends to come, fed them all the food and drinks they had ordered, and had the DJ play her favorite music all night.
Security dragged her ex out of the building. He had come with his new girlfriend. The picture of Emily dancing with her friends in what would have been her wedding dress went viral.
Six months later, her ex called to apologize. She didn’t say anything.
18.The Neighborhood’s Complaint
Karen had complained seventeen times about the Martinez family’s yard, kids, and “ethnic cooking smells.”
Mrs. Martinez instructed them to take down their culturally significant decorations, but she also invited everyone in the neighborhood to a party to celebrate her culture. She “forgot” to include Karen on purpose.
Karen watched from her window while the HOA president and everyone else on the block ate real food, listened to music, and looked at the decorations she had complained about.
19.The Court’s Surprise
James Mitchell, the lawyer, thought it would be easy to win the case against a woman who was representing herself in court.
In a condescending tone, he said, “Your Honor,” “the plaintiff clearly doesn’t understand basic legal principles.”
The woman smiled and said, “Your Honor, I have three law degrees, taught at Harvard Law for fifteen years, and just retired last month.” This matter is so simple that I don’t need to hire a lawyer.
She won, and Mitchell was penalized for how he acted.
20.The Last Lesson
For a whole semester, Professor Williams had a student who continuously questioned her authority and argued she was “too old to understand modern business.”
The student talked about how much money he would make at a well-known corporation on the last day of class.
“Great,” Professor Williams said. “I’m glad my letter of recommendation helped.” Of course, I will need to send your supervisor a new letter that accurately explains how you acted in class.
The student’s face became pale. “You wrote my recommendation?” “
He asked me in person, “Did you go to school with your dad?”
The student was far more polite in the other classes.
The Common Thread
There is one thing that all of these stories have in common: it’s wrong to condemn someone based on their age, gender, looks, or employment, and you can learn a lot from them. The clever lady who found a way to cheat on her husband, the teacher who cared more about making a difference than making money, and the woman who turned a broken engagement into a celebration all highlight how important it is to think quickly, respect yourself, and say the right thing.
It turns out that the best way to get back at someone is not to retaliate. Instead, you should live well, think clearly, and reply to rudeness with such grace and wit that there is no room for a comeback.
Sometimes saying nothing is the best thing to do. Sometimes it’s a math problem. And other times, it’s just the truth, told at the proper time.
The next time someone tells you you’re not good enough, think about these stories. Remember that age gives you wisdom, experience gives you a new perspective, and patience provides you the ability to answer in a way they’ll always remember.
