Not Interested

As mentioned in my previous (and first ever) blog post, I'm an avid watcher of Bravo's Real Housewives. So naturally, I watched RHONJ last night and will be reflecting here about one minor detail from last night's viewing. 

While I could spend several days fleshing out my reponse to the season's second episode, I'll be devoting my entry instead to Caroline Manzo's signature, go-to interview response: Not interested! 

When I hear the phrase "not interested," the first thing that comes to mind is "telemarketer."  (It comes to me all of a sudden, like something you'd come up with during a Rorschach test when asked to find an image in the inkblots.)  When you're on the phone with a telemarketer, you don't have to invent an excuse as to why you don't want such-and-such product or service; you just say some combination of "sorry" and "not interested" and return the phone to its receiver.  And all is peace and quiet once again!

In a similar way, Caroline Manzo uses "not interested" to dismiss an idea without coming across as especially harsh.  In essence, her response means, I cannot be bothered with that at this time.  Or that's not something I'm chosing to actively pursue.  While the phrase comes across as firm, it doesn't necessarily convey a feeling of permanence.  In really getting down to it, I suppose I like the versatility that "not interested" offers to the conversationalist and/or wordsmith.  And because I admire Caroline's perspicacity, I've begun to use her phrase when my husband and I are asked whether or not (and when) we want to have children.

I'm sure most everyone will recognize the following line from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." Here's an addendum to that assumption (written in my own words) that some individuals in the present day apparently believe to be true---It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a newly married couple whether in possession of a good fortune or not, must be in want of a houseful of kids.

I never dreamed upon getting married just how many times we'd get asked about starting a family!  And in some cases, we get asked on a regular basis by the same person(s), to which I'm tempted to reply, How about you just ask once, and if the status changes, we'll let you know?  But of all things we've answered with, I like "We're not interested" the best.  It usually solicits a nod from the asker (who is then unsure how to proceed), and I don't come across as "lacking" or "deficient" because I don't want to become a baby factory right away.

So, I'm thankful to Caroline for the passing along her signature phrase and for imparting other tidbits of wisdom to her viewers each week.